How ugly is the standard-issue LinkedIn profile URL?
Pretty bad. Mine used to look like this:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-svei-4130412
Try putting that on a resume.
Even worse, the long-form URL dates you. And who wants that?
How to Set up a Personal LinkedIn Profile URL
Happily, LinkedIn lets you set up a personal URL for your profile. It’s also known as a vanity URL.
Mine looks like this (much better, huh?):
But, What If You Have a Common Name?
I have the good fortune of being the only Donna Svei on the planet.
However, that’s not the case for a client I worked with this week. I asked him to get a personal URL for his resume. He has a common first name and a wildly common last name.
Brand Yourself with Your LinkedIn Profile URL
So, I asked him to do something to distinguish himself from all the other Ken Lees on LinkedIn. Not my client’s name, but you get the point.
I asked him not to put a number after his name because KenLee8200 would make him sound late to the party.
Instead, I asked him to add a branding statement using one of his credentials.
Like this: linked.com/in/Ken-Lee-MBA.
How to Personalize Your LinkedIn Profile URL
So, are you ready to personalize your URL?
If you like video instruction, watch this:
If you prefer written instructions, use LinkedIn Help.
It takes about a minute to upgrade your image on LinkedIn and your resume.
Go for it!
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn
Please invite me to connect on LinkedIn: Donna Svei, Executive Resume Writer. The more I know about my readers, the better I can make my blog.
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Image: rvlsoft
Updated March 2022
© 2013 – 2022, Donna Svei. All rights reserved.
Donna Svei, an executive resume writer and former C-level executive, retained search consultant, and CPA, authors all of AvidCareerist’s posts.
She is a Fast Company Contributor and has written for and been quoted by 100+ business and general media outlets, including Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, CNBC, the New York Times, USA Today, Time, US News & World Report, CBS, the BBC, Lifehacker, Social Media Today, IT World, and Business News Daily.
Let her expertise inform your job search strategy and decision-making.
Contact Donna here to learn more about her resume and LinkedIn profile services and fee structure.
Comments 3
Hi Donna,
Good advice. I must have timed it right years ago securing my linkedin url as there are now 229 Brent Peterson’s in LinkedIn! I wasn’t so lucky on twitter or even the website url with my name :). Do you recommend putting the whole LinkedIn url on a business card? I currently do, but was looking to shorten all social media addresses (e.g. @standandinspire, +BrentPeterson,)… but couldn’t come up with something good for LinkedIn. Thoughts?
Hi Brent, It’s always so nice to hear from you. On your question, it depends, do you want to brand Brent Peterson or do you want to brand Stand and Inspire? I would go with what you want to brand. Donna
Thanks for sharing this information, Donna. It will be helpful for many who didn’t know how or were hesitant to “click” the edit-prompt to modify their LinkedIn-issued URL.
You’re welcome. Thank you for commenting Dean. Donna
Thanks for your information Donna.
My pleasure Roopa. Thank you for reading AvidCareerist. Donna