LinkedIn has rapidly become a powerful business networking tool with over seven hundred million users worldwide. It is now the world’s most powerful site for executive searches and career development, allowing both employees and employers to find and connect. Users tend to make common mistakes with their profiles, leading to missed opportunities. The following are common mistakes that you must avoid to grow your connections count and advance in your career using Linkedin:

A LINKEDIN PROFILE WITH NO PICTURE

Many people forget about this step and end up with an empty profile image section. Your picture is part of your identity and makes your profile attract other users. Failing to include your picture is a huge mistake since it’s hard to make business contacts with someone who has no picture. Most people are visual beings, so if your face isn’t on Linkedin, your profile looks empty to them, and they will not be likely to engage with it.

AN UNPROFESSIONAL PHOTO

A professional headshot is best for this section. If you have a group photo of your friends or family, it will be difficult to identify yourself on the picture. Still, this kind of image is considered unprofessional by most people. According to statistics, other users are more likely to engage with you if your profile picture is professional.

NO PERSONAL URL

Adding a personal URL to your Linkedin profile is an easy way to make your profile stand out. It allows you to promote your professional website on Linkedin but remember to keep this URL exclusive for LinkedIn and don’t link it with any other site or social platforms. The URL makes a profile to be easily shared, which is a way of promoting yourself.

LACKLUSTER HEADLINE

Remember that your Linkedin profile is an asset and your headline is the first thing people see on your profile, so you need to make it count. It should simply and concisely state what you do and be relevant to the industry of your choice. Avoid using clichés and lengthy headlines, which will only discourage other users from engaging with your profile.

THE WRONG JOB AND SKILLS TITLE

This mistake is probably one of the most common found in Linkedin profiles. When you are unsure what to put, keep it simple and relevant. For instance, if you are currently unemployed or doing some freelance work on the side, instead of putting seeker. Being specific is the key to making employers or other users understand you better.

When managed correctly, a LinkedIn profile is an asset that will pay off in the long term and help you succeed in your career. If you avoid these common mistakes and keep your profile accurate and concise, it will help people notice you.

This article was originally published on NicholasFainlight.com