Blog Post: Ten Tips for Creating Your LinkedIn Job Seeker Profile

1. When creating your profile, think sales, marketing and problem solving. You are the product and the solution.

2. Use a full head shot so people recognize you. Not a "mug shot" with only your face, not one with your pets or family. You can leave those pictures (other than the mug shot) to Facebook. Use a professional looking full head shot to the top of your shoulders.

3. Your "Professional Headline" is your brand. Include your title, tagline, credentials, designations, certifications and add "Job Seeker".

4. Don't use special characters. When you are viewed outside of LinkedIn, special characters do not translate. I normally only use asterisk (*) or dash (-). Please share others that worked for you when you were not logged into LinkedIn.

5. Update your "Status Update" (What are you doing now?). Post blog entries, articles, and tips in your industry and area of expertise. Tell people you are looking for your next opportunity. Updating your status often reactivates your profile.

6. LinkedIn gives you three places to name website so make them yours. Click on "Other", name it "My Resume" or "(Your Name) Resume", and copy the URL of your resume or website. Make sure you include the "http://" part of the URL.

7. Use the Box.net application to post your resume as a Word document.

8. Name the "Industry" that you are interested in. Remember to look forward if you are changing careers.

9. Show your outside "Interests". Do not use the interest section to add more information about your work. Use it to show people you have interests outside of work.

10. Get a "Vanity" URL with your name. When you first sign up with LinkedIn, you are given a number. Replace it with your name. Edit the "Public Profile" section and go to "Update this address", type in your name and then "Set Address". Get rid of any numbers. As an example mine is: http://www.linkedin.com/in/joguerra.

These are just a few tips to get you started. Post your questions here and I will answer. I will be posting more tips on social media and social networks.