LinkedIn ranks “complete” profiles higher than incomplete profiles in its search results. If you’re looking for a job or want to increase sales or awareness of your company, it is critical to make a profile that LinkedIn considers “complete”. Complete profiles are ranked as “more relevant” than incomplete profiles and get a higher ranking when recruiters search LinkedIn. LinkedIn recently introduced two changes to the Profile that will have an impact on your completeness score.

The new Profile search algorithm puts more emphasis on Skills and Expertise. This means you can showcase your areas of expertise to easily connect more easily with people that have similar skills or with companies looking for subject matter experts in your industry vertical.

LinkedIn also changed how they calculate profile completeness. The new calculation gives you more control over your score by emphasizing things you can update, like Skills, and putting less weight on areas you may have less influence on, such as, Recommendations. The score also takes profile freshness into consideration, so frequent profile updates can now help with profile completeness.

LinkedIn Tips for completing your LinkedIn profiles based on the new calculation:

1.) Add a professional profile photo.  Adding a profile photo makes your profile 7x more likely to be found in searches.

2.) List all the jobs or positions you’ve held, along with descriptions. Having your 2 most recent positions makes your profile 12x more likely to be found.

3.) Have 5 or more skills on your profile

4.) Write a summary about yourself

5.) Fill out your industry and postal code

6.) Add where you went to school

7.) Have 50 or more connections – it’s easier than you think to get connected!

8.) Use the ‘Improve your Profile’ tool to find simple steps to help you stand out.

9.) Freshness matters. Update your LinkedIn profile frequently if you want to keep your ranking score near the top in the LinkedIn search algorithm.

10.) Create a professional Linked In profile from the top LinkedIn Profile Service!

It’s that simple. Whether it’s connecting with people you may know, helping top companies or job recruiters find experts like you, or even opening up new business opportunities, a complete LinkedIn profile helps you stay connected and competitive.