9 LinkedIn Features to Improve Your Personal Profile

LinkedIn is an excellent tool for building your personal brand and expanding your professional network. But with so many features available, knowing where to start can be daunting… Never fear! Bloom is here! We’ve compiled a list of 9 fantastic LinkedIn profile features you should use to help you take your profile to the next level.

Whether you’re a business owner, a content creator, or just looking to grow your network, these tips will help you put your best foot forward and get noticed. So, let’s dive in and explore some of our favourite game-changing LinkedIn features!

1. Creator Mode

Do you post on LinkedIn a lot?

Then you need Creator Mode! Launched in 2021, Creator Mode is designed to help you build your personal brand and engage more effectively with your audience.

So, what does Creator Mode do?

Creator Mode is basically a free LinkedIn profile feature that lets you do more on the platform! Creator Mode gives you new tools and options for creating and sharing content. You can even add hashtags to your profile to show off your interests and skills.

Creator Mode also includes LinkedIn’s Content Studio, making creating and scheduling posts super easy. Not sure how to create impactful visual posts? Take a look at our marketing tip on how to find free images.

If that wasn’t enough, Creator Mode gives you great access to some in-depth analytics. You can see the number of views, likes, comments, and shares your posts get, as well as information on your audience demographics and interests.

Do you have to be a creator to use Creator Mode?

No, you don’t have to be a creator! Creator Mode is about helping you build your brand and connect with your network. It’s a feature available to everyone- whether you’re a content whiz or just getting started on LinkedIn.

Simply put, Creator Mode is a great way to build your professional brand and connect with others in your industry. So, why not try it and see how it works for you? If that sounds like something you’re into, go ahead and activate it on your LinkedIn profile!

Bonus tip: your headline is visible when you comment. Make your headline memorable and increase the visibility of your business views by including your company’s name and title.

2. Featured Section

Have you created content that you’re extra proud of?

LinkedIn has a feature that lets you highlight the best work on your profile. You can showcase articles, presentations, posts, projects, and videos. The world is your oyster! The “Featured” section can be your favourite LinkedIn posts uploaded straight from your computer or something inspiring from a contact’s LinkedIn. It’s straightforward to do and can spotlight your brand.

How do I get started?
Just click the “Me” icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage, select “View profile,” and then click “Add featured” to add your content. If that sounds like something you’re into, go ahead and activate it on your LinkedIn profile!

3. Skills Assessment

Have you experienced imposter syndrome in your life?

It’s a horrible feeling we’ve all struggled with at one time or another. Quieten inner doubt by putting your skills to the test!

Taking an assessment on LinkedIn is a simple and effective way to boost your profile, proven your expertise, or land your dream job. Candidates with verified skills are around 30% more likely to be hired for the roles they apply for. Showcasing your knowledge grabs the attention of potential employers and demonstrates your proficiency in a particular area. So why wait? Take an assessment on LinkedIn today and stand out from the crowd.

How do I test my skills?
Go to your “Skills” in your profile, click the “Demonstrate Skills” icon and choose the assessment you want to take, review the instructions, complete the assessment, and view your results. Good luck!

4. Name Pronunciation

Have you ever ordered a coffee and your name was totally mispronounced?

Enter, LinkedIn! In 2020, the professional platform launched its name pronunciation tool to promote inclusivity. We think this function is one of the most underrated yet essential LinkedIn profile features to emerge in the last few years. To pronounce someone’s name correctly is more than a courtesy; it’s a sign of respect and a great way to make an excellent first impression.

To ensure your LinkedIn network knows exactly how to address you, click “Edit” in your profile, then press “Record name pronunciation”. If you’ve got a unique or uncommon name, this feature will help avoid confusion or mispronunciation – whether you’re going to a job interview or networking over drinks.

Bonus tip: In addition to pronouncing your name correctly, you can use the LinkedIn recording feature to introduce yourself and make a solid first impression

5. Experience Skills

Are you a jack of all trades?

You can now add specific skills to each job in your experience section, making it easier for employers to see what you’re good at. This helps improve your profile’s search engine optimisation (SEO) and showcase your expertise. Adding skills allows employers and recruiters to find you when searching for users with those skills. It’s an easy way to increase your profile views, so use your unique experience to your advantage and boost your visibility.

Simply click the pencil icon, add the skill, and you’re done. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

6. Request Recommendations

Can Word of Mouth (WoM) boost your LinkedIn Profile?

Of course! Try requesting recommendations. Requesting recommendations is a LinkedIn profile feature that needs more love as it can make a real difference. Recommendations provide insights into your work ethic from a third-party perspective to help you stand out, showcase your expertise, and make you more trustworthy to potential employers.

How do you request a LinkedIn Recommendation?
Go to the profile of the person you want to request from, click on “More”, select “Request a Recommendation,” choose the position you held, customise the message, and click “Send.”

Whether you’re a business owner, freelancer, job seeker, or just looking to enhance your LinkedIn profile, take a moment to reach out to those you trust and ask for a recommendation. It’s a simple step that can really pay off in the long run.

7. Edit Sent Messages

Have you ever sent a message on LinkedIn and immediately regretted it?

Well, fear not! Your LinkedIn profile features a tool that allows you to edit messages after you’ve sent them. This feature can be a lifesaver if you accidentally send a typo, forget to include important information, or use the wrong emoji.

How do I edit messages?

Click on the three dots next to the sent message and select “Edit”. From there, you can make any necessary changes and click “Save” to update it. It’s that easy! So next time you hit send too soon, don’t panic- use the edit feature and fix your mistake in a flash.

8. Private Mode

Did you know that your LinkedIn profile features Private Mode?

It’s a great way to look at profiles without letting others know you’re checking them out. Few people know this feature exists, but it can be handy for research purposes, like when checking out potential employers or your high school classmates (we’ve all been there). In Private Mode, your activity and profile are hidden from others until you switch it off. Happy snooping!

How do I Activate Private Mode?
Go to your “Settings & Privacy” page and click the “Visibility” tab to do this. Here, you will find “Private Mode”.

9. Contact a LinkedIn Expert

Your LinkedIn profile features are an important part of your professional image, so it can be challenging to figure out how to stand out from the crowd. At Bloom Digital, we understand this challenge, and we’re here to help! Whether you need assistance with social media, digital marketing, or search engine optimisation, our expert in-house team is ready to help you. So lean back and let us take care of your LinkedIn optimisation.

Contact us today to learn more.