What Never to Put in Your LinkedIn Profile

I see hundreds of LinkedIn profiles every day, some good, most horrible.

What makes a good LinkedIn profile?

I consider a LinkedIn profile good when it catches my attention and stands out from the thousands of other professionals who do what you do in a professional way.

Catching my attention doesn’t mean using a seductive profile picture or adding lots of symbols throughout your profile.

Adding your skills to your last name field to fool the LinkedIn algorithm doesn’t count.

USING ALL CAPS IN YOUR PROFILE CATCHES MY ATTENTION BUT LOWERS MY OPINION OF YOU INSTANTLY.

Creating a loud background banner full of self-promotion catches my eye but makes me think you’re desperate for business or you’re more focused on yourself than your clients.

You shouldn’t have to trick people into viewing your LinkedIn profile.

Does Nordstrom, Hermes, Mercedes or BMW use tricks to grab your attention?

My father used to own a restaurant and he hated seeing restaurants with flashing OPEN signs. “If you serve good food and provide good service, people will know when you’re open.”

Have ever eaten in a restaurant with a flashing OPEN sign or the ugly roadside message…