Your LinkedIn name is the first thing people see about you on the site, whether they’re looking at their search results or your profile. Because of this, it’s important to take extra care with it.
5 Tips to Increase Profile Views
LinkedIn members do four things that immediately tarnish their LinkedIn images:
#1: Last Initial Only — The Worst
Would you rather click through to a profile that says Donna Svei or Donna S.? Uh huh, I thought so. LinkedIn members want to see your last name. Not sharing it has many downsides and no real upside.
#2: ALL CAPS — Bad
Some LinkedIn members present their names in capital letters. No one wants to read JANE DOE. It’s the LinkedIn equivalent of shouting at people.
#3: all lower case — Bad
Some LinkedIn members present their names in lower case letters. No one wants to read jane doe. It’s the LinkedIn equivalent of whispering.
#4: Alphabet Soup Credentials — Bad
Then there are the members who follow their names with the acronyms for every credential they’ve ever earned. That confuses the reader.
Pick the one or two credentials most relevant to your current career goal and feature those.
Like this: Jane Doe, JD/MBA.
Don’t go crazy with credentials. It makes you look as though you’re trying too hard.
(2019 Update: LinkedIn no longer allows a slash between credentials. So the example above now needs to be presented as Jane Doe, JD, MBA.)
A New Best Practice
#5: Record How to Pronounce Your Name
In late June 2020, LinkedIn started rolling out a new “Record & Display Your Name Pronunciation on Your Profile” feature. If your name is the least bit difficult, or if you have a great voice, be sure to implement this ASAP.
If it’s not intuitive to you, LinkedIn Help provides a useful guide.
Don’t be afraid to go beyond your name, this is your opportunity to add a 10-second elevator pitch to your profile. That’s about 20 to 25 words. Write it, practice it, record it!
Get Your LinkedIn Name Right
As you can see, this is pretty simple stuff and you will benefit from paying attention to it. If you don’t present your name in a professional manner, many LinkedIn users will check out on you immediately.
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn
Please don’t hesitate to invite me to connect on LinkedIn here: Donna Svei, Executive Resume Writer. The more I know about my readers, the better I can make my blog.
Image: Rostivlav Sevlacek
Updated July 2020
© 2013 – 2020, 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 has written for and been quoted by 100+ business, general, and career media outlets, including Forbes, Mashable, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, the New York Times, USA Today, Time, CBS, the BBC, Lifehacker, Social Media Today, IT World, SmartBrief, Payscale, Business News Daily, and the Muse.
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.
