Take Your Great LinkedIn Profile Out for a Spin in 2026
The Job Forum is very pleased to help people with their LinkedIn profile, and no one is better at this than Sandra Clark of Linked Mentoring. Here is the latest from Sandra:
I’m often asked why someone should bother with their LinkedIn profile or hear complaints like, “It’s not getting me any business or job offers anyway.”
There’s a lot you can do to make LinkedIn work for you, but let’s start with the basics.
Did You Lose Opportunities Because of Your Profile?
Can you tell how much business or how many potential job opportunities you’ve missed because your profile wasn’t up to par?
Has someone looked you up, only to be turned off by an incomplete or outdated profile—or unsure it was even you because the photo didn’t match? Your LinkedIn presence is often your first impression. Make it count.
Can You Be Found?
Another common issue is visibility. When I teach LinkedIn workshops, I look up attendees in advance to get familiar with them. It’s not unusual that I can’t find a third—or even half—of the class.
In most cases, they do have profiles, but their settings or incomplete information keep them from showing up in searches. If people can’t find you, your profile can’t do its job.
I’ve Got a Great Profile—Now What?
A client recently emailed asking why her profile views hadn’t increased after a full makeover. I checked her activity and discovered she’d only had seven interactions that entire month.
That brings us to the real key: activity.
It’s All About Activity
Having a great profile is important—but your results depend on using it. Here’s how to build momentum:
- Network actively. Attend business meetings, networking events, or volunteer activities. Every time you meet someone, they may look you up on LinkedIn.
- Share your LinkedIn link. Add your custom LinkedIn URL to your email signature and business cards so people can easily find you.
- Stay visible online. Check your “Who’s viewed your profile” page and your activity feed. Share, comment, and post thoughtfully—give LinkedIn a reason to show you to others.
- Reach out to connect. Expanding your network and engaging directly with others significantly increases profile views.
- Visit other profiles. Make sure you’re not in anonymous mode—when you look at someone’s profile, many will look right back.
- Engage in groups. Contribute to discussions, answer questions, and comment meaningfully. Groups can still be a valuable source of visibility and leads when used strategically.
- Share your content. If you publish an article or post relevant to a broader audience, share it to targeted groups with context—add a question or comment to spark interest.
Small, Consistent Actions Win
It’s better to spend five minutes each day being active on LinkedIn than an hour once a week. Consistency builds visibility and credibility.
A LinkedIn profile isn’t meant to just sit there and look pretty—although that’s a good start. It’s meant to be used.
I’ll admit I’m not a “car person,” but it’s the perfect analogy: having a great profile and not using it is like owning a shiny new car and leaving it parked in the driveway. You’ll get noticed occasionally, but if you really want results, you’ve got to take it out for a spin.
By Sandra Clark – sandra@linkedmentoring.com
