5 LinkedIn Profile Mistakes You Need To Steer Clear Of

We've said it a bunch and we'll say it again: your LinkedIn profile isn't just some digital version of your resumé. It's the holy grail to unlocking success and kickass career opportunities.

And, those aren't just empty words. Let's talk facts.

Forbes says 95% of recruiters use LinkedIn job search to scope out potential hires. Yeah, you read that right - NINETY-FIVE percent. So, if your LinkedIn profile optimization is all-over-the-place, you're missing out on some major career moves. Don't be a clown, upgrade that ish ASAP.

LinkedIn is also where the big bucks are at. Why? ‘Cause 58.4M+ companies are listed on the platform. More companies = more opportunities = more income! So, don't just check your profile when you receive a connection request - update it regularly, link it to your other professional accounts, and get on with LinkedIn networking.

Still don't buy it? What if we told you: that 8 people get hired on LinkedIn every single minute? That’s right, you could get hired within the next minute by some proactive LinkedIn recruiters! Let’s get you on the hiring track by helping you steer clear of these 5 common LinkedIn profile mistakes that could be holding you back.

Fix your incomplete profiles Today Yesterday

An incomplete profile is a big NO. It's like throwing up an uncooked resume with no references. It will mess up your LinkedIn search rankings and make hiring managers confused about who you are and what you do.

Here's the tea: LinkedIn's algorithm literally favors complete profiles. The platform wants to show users the most comprehensive, engaging content, so if your profile is looking sparse, you're getting buried in search results. It's like trying to compete in a race while running backwards - technically possible, but why would you make it that hard for yourself?

Some people are too scared to put themselves out there, so they leave their profile looking like a blank page. But that's just giving up on LinkedIn career opportunities. If your content is outdated or irrelevant, your viewers are gonna and bounce to the next profile.

And if you're juggling multiple hustles, you have to organize your "About" and "Experience" section so it all makes sense. What's your EXACT job profile? What skills have you mastered? Let the recruiters know everything in your "About" section, so they don't get lost in the sauce.

Plus, if you are interested in getting ahead of your peers, here's how you can build some real in-demand Gen-Z skills for LinkedIn and your personal résumé.

Make Your Profile Actually Findable

Did you know there are almost 900 million LinkedIn profiles out there, but most of them are harder to find than a needle in a haystack? And, to top it all off, if your profile has a different name + aura than how you introduce yourself in person, you're going to be even harder to find.

But that's not all, there are many other mistakes that could tank your profile's visibility. Incomplete profiles? No keywords? No listed skills? Vague About + Experience section? If you said yes to all of those, you're asking recruiters to not reach out to you!

Let's talk keywords for a hot sec.

LinkedIn's search function works a lot like Google – it's looking for specific terms that match what recruiters are searching for. If you want to work in marketing, make sure words like "digital marketing," "brand strategy," "social media management," and "content creation" appear throughout your profile. If you're in finance, terms like "financial analysis," "data modeling," "Excel," and "budgeting" should be sprinkled in naturally.

Similarly, if you don't have many first-level connections, you're pretty much invisible on the platform. So, make sure you know how to customize your LinkedIn URL and turn on all the LinkedIn visibility settings for your public profile.

That custom URL isn't just for aesthetics – it makes you easier to find and looks more professional when you include it on your resume or email signature. Instead of linkedin(.)com/in/jane-doe-8392a1b4, you can have linkedin(.)com/in/janedoemarketing. Much cleaner, right?

One more thing - if you're a freelancer and you haven't set up a LinkedIn services page, you're missing out! It's like throwing a party and forgetting to invite the guests. Get on that and make yourself seen and found by potential clients.

Want to go even further to build a stellar LinkedIn profile? Check out these 15+ proven tips by one of LinkedIn’s top voices Austin Belcak.

Stop Using The Default Request Option

Let’s talk about using the default connection request on LinkedIn, and how it's about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. Trust us, a boring connection request to every Ron, Hermione, and Harry is not going to get you anywhere on LinkedIn! You may have more luck shouting into the void.

Let us break it down for you with an example.

Say you're scrolling through LinkedIn and you come across a potential connection who could help you land your dream job. You're all excited, thinking about how this person could be the key to your success. So, what do you do? You hit that default connection request button, thinking you're being slick.

But guess what? So did 100 other people that day. And the person you're trying to connect with is probably barely even glancing at your request.

The default message that LinkedIn generates is something like "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn." Groundbreaking stuff, right? It's so generic that it screams "I couldn't be bothered to spend 30 seconds thinking about why I want to connect with you." Not exactly the first impression you want to make with someone who could potentially hire you.

So, what's the solution? Put in that EXTRA effort. Opt for those personalized connection requests on LinkedIn. Mention something about the person's profile or their work that caught your attention. Show them that you're a real person with a real interest in what they do. Trust us, it'll make a world of difference.

Here are some message templates that actually work:

"Hi [Name], I saw your recent post about sustainable marketing practices and it really resonated with me. I'm a marketing student at [School] and would love to connect and learn more about your experience in the field."

"Hello [Name], I noticed we both went to [University] and work in [Industry]. I'd love to connect and potentially learn from your experience at [Company]."

"Hi [Name], [Mutual Connection] mentioned you might be a great person to connect with. I'm interested in learning more about the [Industry] field and would appreciate any insights you might have."
Trust us, it'll make a world of difference. People appreciate when you take the time to personalize your outreach, and they're much more likely to not only accept your request but actually engage in meaningful conversation afterward.

And, if you want to go that extra mile, then take notes from this splendid article, ‘5 secrets to a LinkedIn profile that can compete in the 2023 job market’ by Forbes.

Don't Leave Out Volunteer work

If you're trying to score a job on LinkedIn, there's one thing you have to know - don't skip your past jobs or volunteer gigs. We mean, sure, LinkedIn isn't your diary, but let's be real, in today's economy, even volunteering can land you some serious responsibilities and demonstrate skills that employers actually care about.

Many hiring managers actually pay more attention to volunteer work than you'd expect. Why? Because it shows initiative, passion, and the ability to commit to something without monetary compensation. It shwos that you care about more than just a paycheck and that you're willing to invest your time in causes you believe in.

So, don't be shy to list down your volunteer work on your LinkedIn profile, just like you would for a summer job. But hey, don't just stop there - amp it up a little! Tell them about the tasks you crushed and the skills you mastered!

For example, instead of just saying "volunteered at a local animal shelter," in the description of your experience, try something like this - "As a volunteer at the local animal shelter, I help feed, walk, and cuddle the cutest furry friends all while working on outreach and admin work to get them adopted."

Trust us, with a little creativity in explaining the impact of your work, you'll have recruiters sliding into your DMs in no time!

P.S If you’ve recently interned and want to turn that into a full-time role, here’s how to make that happen.

Recommendations > Endorsements

If you're not proactive with your ‘Recommendations,’ you might as well be playing Minesweeper on your grandma's Windows 95 (if you get that reference, let's be friends?)

Now, most of us know endorsements are fine and dandy. Like, if Bob Smith from economics and five other guys gave you a thumbs up for your social media skills, that's cool but it doesn't even begin to compare to what recommendations are.

Here's the difference: endorsements are basically LinkedIn's version of a Facebook like – quick, easy, and honestly, not that meaningful. Someone can endorse you for "Microsoft Excel" without ever having seen you create a spreadsheet. It's literally just clicking a button, and let's be real, people often do it just to be nice or because LinkedIn keeps suggesting it.

Recommendations, however, require effort to write out, so they're more credible. Recruiters know that if someone took the time to write a good one for you, you must've been a pleasure to work with. The best ones are written by people who genuinely know you, have worked with you and can vouch for your skills.

But here's the thing - recommendations don't just magically appear. You usually have to ask for them, and that can feel awkward. Make it easier for the person writing your recommendation by providing them with specific examples of what you worked on together, what skills you'd like them to highlight, and any particular achievements you're proud of. 

So, keep this in mind: A well-written recommendation from a peer or manager who can get specific about why you're a great hire can set you apart from the crowd. It's like having a flaming hot Cheetos in a bag of regular Cheetos - you stand out, and everyone wants a taste.

Bonus Tips for LinkedIn Domination

Keep Your Activity Feed Engaging: Don't be a lurker forever! Like, comment, and share content that's relevant to your field. This shows you're engaged with your industry and helps you stay visible to your connections. You don't need to post every day, but occasional thoughtful comments or shares can keep you on people's radars.

Use LinkedIn Learning: Those little certificates might seem cheesy, but they actually show initiative and a commitment to continuous learning. Plus, they're great conversation starters and can help fill gaps in your skill set while you're job hunting.

Join Industry Groups: LinkedIn groups are like professional clubs where you can learn from experts, participate in discussions, and make connections with people in your field. Just don't be that person who only joins groups to spam their own content - actually engage with the community!

Optimize for Mobile: Most people check LinkedIn on their phones, so make sure your profile looks good on mobile. This means keeping your headline concise, using short paragraphs in your About section, and making sure your profile picture looks clear on a small screen.

Update Regularly: Your LinkedIn isn't a "set it and forget it" situation. New job? Update it. Finished a big project? Add it to your experience. Learned a new skill? Update your skills section. Fresh content keeps you appearing in search results and shows that you're actively growing.

Rounding Things up

LinkedIn is a great place to find opportunities and new people to connect with that can help you build your career as a college student. But here's the thing, you have to use it right if you want to get ahead. Don't make those rookie mistakes!

So aside from doing the bare minimum of adding a put-together picture of you and writing where you go to school, complete your LinkedIn profile by keeping it up-to-date with your latest gigs (including volunteer work!), getting great LinkedIn recommendations, and being smart with your connection requests.

And, if you're stressing over getting noticed, just relax and take a deep breath. Don't freak out, take it step by step, you got this!

Fix one thing at a time. Don't go trying to take over LinkedIn in one day. You'll get there eventually. Start by improving your About + Experience section. Once you've got that down, then you can focus on nailing your skills. And before you know it, you'll have a profile that's recruiter-approved and easy to find.

Once you're there and building connections, follow people who'll help you keep your LinkedIn updated. Check out this list of the top 15 recruiters and hiring managers to follow on LinkedIn by Wonsulting.

Now go and get working on your LinkedIn profile. ⚡