More than 1 billion people globally are using LinkedIn. Every year, there are 3 million hires through it, every minute, seven people are hired through it, and each second, 140 job applications are submitted through it. (Source) If you’re looking for opportunity, LinkedIn is the place to go. However, most people aren’t using LinkedIn in a way that helps them have credibility in their industry or sets them apart from other candidates or people in general.

If you’re connected with me on LinkedIn, you know that I spend more time on that site than any other social media channel. Part of this is because my job requires it as I recruit candidates for the programs I manage, and part of it is because I love growing and learning. I love reading the nuggets of wisdom shared by leaders across the globe, seeing what opportunities are out there (not just jobs – scholarships, trainings, etc.), and learning about the great work my connections are doing.

I’m not here to tell you that a LinkedIn is a must-have if you want to be anyone in the industry. I do believe it has tremendous benefits if you’re interested in learning, growing your career, or building your network. I also think it helps others learn about you and who you want to be. I firmly believe that our personal brand goes beyond our online presence, but our LinkedIn profile can be an instrumental tool in amplifying what that brand is.

I don’t believe everyone has to spend every minute on LinkedIn to have a strong presence online. However, there are some simple techniques that I think can take your profile to the next level without using it every single day. These are not what an average recruiter may tell you, but I have learned them and think everyone should be aware to present their best selves through this important medium.

Here are the top 5 things I think most people get wrong about LinkedIn, and how you can do it in a more impactful way:

1. Your profile picture. It doesn’t need to be a headshot you pay for, but here’s the easy formula: wear a step above a t-shirt (blouse, collared shirt), ensure there’s solid natural lighting, and stand in front of a non-distracting background (greenery or a wall). I see too many people use a picture that shows most of their body or torso. The challenge with a half or full body picture is that I can’t see you well, so if I don’t remember what you look like from an event or I have never met you, I’d never be able to pick you out again. Since I meet thousands of people every year, it’s challenging for me to remember anyone without their face clearly shown in their picture. To combat this, your face should take up over half the image so we can really see who you are. And if your picture needs updating, there are some AI tools that can use other pictures of you to help create a very realistic new picture of you. They can be pricey, but it may cost similar to what a one-hour photoshoot may cost if you were to do it in-person.

2. Distinguishing a resume and a LinkedIn profile. Instead of being a running list of your accomplishments, build your LinkedIn profile to tell your story. Answer the question “How do I want to be known?” and show it through your experiences, put it in your header (line under your name), make a creative banner (photo at top of profile) that shows what you care about, and add genuine language. If you’re a current student and have career goals to be a researcher or sales representative, use the word “Aspiring” or “Future” before scientist or relationship builder. Too many people “say” they care about certain topics or want things in their career, but your LinkedIn and resume should be showing it. For example, don’t tell me you’re passionate in your summary…show it through your experiences, header, and banner photo. You can see what one of my favorite authors and podcasters wants to be known for below…optimism.

3. Tailoring your experiences. Recruiters and hiring managers want to see that you would be set up for success in the job before they move forward with your application. Make their job easier by showcasing the skills and experiences that you already have that align with the types of roles you’re interested in on your LinkedIn profile (and your resume). This can be as simple as working with a diverse group of people in food service or leading team meetings in your family’s small business. Describe the experiences you have in a way that helps recruiters find you by using keywords associated with the roles you’re looking for. And if you’re not sure how to write about your experiences on your resume, consider expressing what you did, how you did it, and the impact you had on the overall team. Here’s a helpful article to aid you as you write your description for your resume or LinkedIn.

4. Engaging with your interests & industry. Think of LinkedIn like a big conference where you choose to go into the rooms where the conversations you care about are happening. The same thing is true of LinkedIn… if you want to connect with people in your industry or learn from others, you’ve got to actually show up. In an online format, that means commenting, liking, and sharing posts – not just scrolling. And please, go beyond the ‘This is cool!’ comments. Add your perspective, give a compliment, answer a question, or share an example from your own experience. (Here are some examples.) That’s how people start to see you as a real human (not just another profile) and maybe even a thought leader. Following people and companies you respect also makes it way easier to stay plugged into trends, tips, and what’s happening in your space.

5. Customizing your invitations. How many texts, calls, emails, or messages do you get from people where you can’t tell if someone is selling you something, it’s spam, or it’s a real person? We are all inundated with requests that we can’t tell if they’re real or not. Invest in your personal brand and include a note when you’re connecting with people so they know you’re a real person and how this connection is mutually valuable. In some cases, it might be more of a connection where you’ll learn from them (and not as much vice versa), but it is helpful to know why you’re interested in connecting regardless. Outside of the uncertainty of why someone wants to connect with you or if they’re spamming you, it’s relationship building and sales 101 to send a follow-up after meeting or connecting with someone. LinkedIn makes that easy for you to do so. When sending a request after an event, I encourage you to add a note. It doesn’t have to be robust – just a “It was great meeting you at X event! I’d love to stay in touch!” is ideal. (Here are some examples catered to who you’re connecting with.) Because I meet so many people every year, it is always incredibly helpful when someone reminds me in a message where we met and what we talked about so that I can have that context when we message next. Typically, if that doesn’t happen, it’s unlikely that I will remember the person or how we met when we switch to a fully virtual connection. Maybe you have a better memory than me, but I know your future self will thank you if you have a log of when you met folks so it’s easier to pick up where you left off 😊

Before you try any of the above, I’ll leave you with one extra piece of advice. One of the most important parts of building a LinkedIn profile and an online presence is that it feels genuine to you. When you do that, you must remember that this won’t happen overnight. The key is in consistency – if you engage with posts and thought leaders within your industries and areas of interest on a regular basis, it will take your reputation as a thought leader, lifelong learner, and connection builder to the next level. My encouragement is to do whatever feels natural to you while challenging yourself a little bit – start with posting once a month, visiting the site for 30 minutes every week, or commenting on two posts every other week. Staying true to yourself while also stepping outside of your comfort zone is a really great place to live in, and LinkedIn is no different.

Looking forward to seeing you online!