Make sure your LinkedIn URL enhances your professional brand, rather than detracts from it.

In today's job market, it's not enough to just have a top-notch resume. Employers also expect you to have a polished online professional brand that aligns with your resume and current job goals. In fact, according to a recent Jobvite study most recruiters are using social media to attract ⁠— and vet ⁠— potential candidates for their open positions.

As a result, it's important to not only develop a fleshed out online profile that you can include on your resume but to also customize its public web address so it's easy for people to find and connect with you. That means you need a custom URL on LinkedIn.

Why should you customize your public profile URL on LinkedIn URL?

It makes your profile easier to find and share

Standing out from the crowd is the name of the game and a customized LinkedIn URL is going to help differentiate you from all the other LinkedIn profiles out there. This is especially important if you have a common name!

It boosts your credibility

What does a custom LinkedIn URL say about you? It says that you are a detail-oriented, serious candidate, who makes an effort to put their best foot forward. It also shows that you're technologically savvy. These are ALL good things.

It can be used in professional materials

It's important to include your LinkedIn profile URL on your professional materials. This means it should be on your resume, your email signature, and your business cards. A messy looking URL with random symbols or special characters isn't going to cut it, but a personalized URL? Perfect.

Follow the LinkedIn profile tips below to customize your public LinkedIn profile URL to promote your professional brand. 

Step 1: 

Log into your LinkedIn account and click the Me (icon) > View Profile from the upper right-hand corner of the page.

Step 2: 

On the upper right-hand side of your profile page, click Edit your public profile & URL.

Step 3: 

This will open a new window called Public profile settings. On the right-hand side of this page, you will see a section called Edit your custom URL. Under this section header, you will find your current URL next to an icon that looks like a pencil. Click on the pencil to edit your URL. Now it's time to choose your URL name. We recommend using your first and last name, as it appears on your resume, or a combination of your name and profession to maintain a consistent brand. If you have certifications or degrees you can add those to make your URL unique. For example, “karenrogersmba.” LinkedIn allows you to change your name up to 5 times in 180 days. So while your URL choice isn't set in stone, you'll want to settle on something that will stay with you for the long haul.

Make sure to hit save and that's it! You've now created a personal LinkedIn URL.

Have more questions about this action item? Check out LinkedIn's Help Center.

Still need help? Let TopResume upgrade your LinkedIn profile.  

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