Have you set up a LinkedIn account hoping to attract recruiters and potential employers, only to find it falling short of your expectations? Here’s a breakdown of common mistakes you might be making and how to correct them:

1. No profile picture

A picture puts a face to your name. Any recruiter can see this and consider you as s/he can immediately put a face to the name. No picture amounts to fewer or no clicks or views. Be sure to upload a professional-looking photo.

2. Having an inappropriate profile picture

LinkedIn is a professional platform, not a personal one like Facebook or Twitter. Therefore, you should not put a picture of you during a party or holiday or of you and your spouse on the beach as your profile picture. Instead, take a good headshot or selfie without making weird faces. You will get more job interviews and offers if you look professional.

3. Linking your other social media account to your LinkedIn account 

That’s not cool. Connecting your social media accounts to LinkedIn might seem convenient, but it could be a mistake. Our social media accounts do not always reflect the best of us. Unless your social media profiles are relevant to their job or profession, you can exclude them from your LinkedIn profile.

4. Having an incomplete profile

Make sure you fill in all the necessary parts of your LinkedIn profile. This increases your chances of being recruited. Include your profile summary, past and present employment, education, photograph, recommendations and relevant skills. Also, remember always to update your profile regularly.

5. Not including a summary

This should be included as it determines whether your profile will be read. Make sure you list out your skills and abilities. Do not make it dull, boring or generic.

6. Not creating an impressive profile

Your profile might be just there – nothing unique or thrilling about you or your personal brand. Potential employers will likely not take a second look at your profile. Draw up something cool.

7. Your profile is full of grammatical errors and typos

Errors in your name, personal bio or summary, job titles, etc, make you lose credibility. Cross check. Be careful, as your profile is more or less a resume.

8. Not attaching any importance to recommendations

You may think you can always prove your skills, but who can we verify from? You need recommendations. Recommendations lend credence to you and your skills. If you don’t have any, request from other professionals, your manager, co-workers, clients, etc.

Once you see its importance, write recommendations for others and endorse their skills. This way, others are encouraged to endorse and write recommendations for you. If you ignore others, you are likely to be ignored, too. SIMPLE.

9. Not indicating your interests

You should include these, so potential employers know more about you, your personality, and your involvement in the community.

10. Not creating a personalised URL

Most people don’t have this. Many do not know how important it is, thus ignoring it altogether. Create a customised URL for yourself, e.g., http//www.linkedin.com/in/yourname. You can use this on your business cards and strengthen your personal brand.

11. Not using the sections

LinkedIn provides different sections. Using the sections makes it easy for anyone to read your profile. If you don’t use these sections, the likelihood of your profile being read is close to zero, even though you can upload your CV. Fill in each section, including work experience, education, certifications, etc..

12. Not using the drop-down for showcasing your skills

List out your skills. Use the drop-down, preferably, so you are found quickly and remain searchable to recruiters.

13. Not joining or participating in LinkedIn groups

If you haven’t joined, do join. Start or take part in discussions and ask questions. This enables you to show your expertise and get your name out there. People will see your name and title.

14. Not using company pages or advanced search

Some companies post their job listings on LinkedIn; take advantage of the opportunity. Search them out.  Check out the company and all the details you need.

Other points include “overselling yourself” (or being too obvious), not using keywords on your profile, sending generic invites to people, especially those you don’t know, etc.Avoid/correct these errors today.

Address these common LinkedIn pitfalls today to elevate your professional presence and enjoy an improved LinkedIn experience.