Why then do so many people do it wrong?

LinkedIn wants a headshot.

I want a CLOSEUP of the headshot.

You might have a great, professional picture, but if your head takes up less than 50% of the picture, I’ll tell you to zoom in!

I often see Profile pictures where the person’s head is 1/6th or 1/12th of the entire image.   The image is already small, people!  ZOOM IN!  I want to see facial characteristics.  I don’t care who cool the background is!

Aside from that, here are some turnoffs I’ve seen on Profile pictures:

• ZERO facial details.  When the picture is more than just your body, like you in front of a building or a tree, and I can’t make out anything from your face.  I’ve seen this more than once!
• Casual clothing.  The worst was a sweaty t-shirt that looks like the person just got done running a race.  On LinkedIn?  Really?
• Distracting backgrounds.  I recently saw one where there was a bright light in the background, which was very distracting and didn’t allow me to see your face well.
• Bad coloring.  Make sure you get good lighting and a good background, and where the right clothes… I’m no expert in color and contrast, but I’ve seen pictures where there are really hardly any features because of a bad choice of color.
• No personality.  Smile.  It’s really as easy as that.  Look like you are a nice, approachable person.

The list could go on and on… the one easy fix for most of them is to ZOOM IN!

At least three people asked me about the connection strategy they should have.  Two of them had strong opinions already formed and just wanted to see what I thought.

I explained in my LinkedIn book I have a chapter about connection strategies, where I explain there is a spectrum with open networkers on one side (those who connect with anyone) and closed networkers on another side (those who have very strict requirements before they connect with you).

The bottom line is this: I can’t tell you what is right for you, or anyone else.  You have to decide where on the connection spectrum you feel comfortable.  You might be in the middle, or lean towards open, or lean towards closed… I don’t know what your comfort level is.

I also recognize that your circumstances now might push you towards one strategy, but when the circumstances change, your strategy might change.

What’s right for you? I don’t know.

What’s right for the person next to you?  You might not be the best person to decide what’s right for them (as I see so often!).

I do know this: everyone has different objectives with their networking efforts… choose what’s best for you, for now, and go with that.  Adjust as necessary.

Did you know Career Resumes does LinkedIn Profile makeovers? Click here for more info.

1. Have a great business card. It can be really simple or somewhat complex.  It should have relevant information only, and help the recipient understand/remember who you are and what you have to offer.
2. Have an email signature that reminds people who you are and how they can help you. Use the line right under your name as a tagline, which will have no cliche or jargon, and clearly communicates their brand.
3. Create a strong LinkedIn Profile. I’d guess about 99% of the LinkedIn Profiles out there are pretty lame.  Sketchy, skeleton Profiles.  Do yours right once and for all.  Career Resumes does LinkedIn Profile makeovers.
4. Figure out your 30 second pitch, then get rid of it. Really, how many good pitches have you heard?  Ever?  One?  Me neither.  The idea is excellent, our execution is pretty bad.  The idea is to concisely communicate something relevant to the conversation, and somehow let others know who you are or how they can help you.
5. Ensure your resume somehow makes you stand out. Perhaps it could be as simple as having a link to your industry or profession blog, so the reader can learn more about your knowledge and passion online, and without the resume restrictions.  I’ll leave the resume advice to Peter Newfield’s team at Career Resumes. They can review your resume for free.
6. Participate in relevant LinkedIn Groups. Find where your hiring managers and influencers would be, and join them as a PEER.
7. Write an article. Post it online: search for “ezine directory” on google and you’ll find plenty of places to easily, quickly post your article.  Now, link back to that article from your LinkedIn Profile (under the websites section).

There are plenty more tips, but I wanted to give you seven quick, actionable, implementable tips.  Now, go do them!

Whatever the number is, I think it’s fair to say that communication is the #1 thing you are doing in a job search.

Lindsey Pollak wrote a post titled One Simple Tip to Immediately Improve Your Professional Communication.

I had to read it.

I like lists of one. Simple. Doable

I don’t want to take too long to go into her advice (which is: BE CONCISE!)… so, in the spirit of being concise, let me point you over to her post… take the few minutes it takes to read it and then take it to heart!

Here are some questions he’s asked recently – check them out… the answers are awesome:

• Is your answering machine message driving people away? (11 answers so far)
• LinkedIn connections: Quantity vs. Quality? This old debate has been had many times. I want to gauge my network on where they are at. (21 answers)
• Are you using Facebook as a job search tool? (22 answers)
• Two questions: What should a job seeker never read/watch during a job search? What one thing should a job seeker read/watch regularly during a job search? (14 answers)
• Do you have advice for 99ers? (15 answers)
• What’s a great gift for a college graduate (getting ready for a job search)? ( 35 answers)
• Does a person’s email service provider say anything about them? (34 answers)

There’s more where that came from – go to his Profile, then click on that See all Q&A link from the box above.

Are you using LinkedIn Answers? You should!

1. Start with the job description. She says you can “glean information on your department or function area” from the job description.
2. Use the Internet. Go to the company website, browse other websites to see what people are saying about the company, look for their execs on social websites, etc.
3. Read the small print. On the company website you might find investor info and the site map, both of which can have good info to help you prepare.
4. Connect through LinkedIn. Connecting with company employees on LinkedIn might lead to an informational interview.
5. Watch the news. I wouldn’t recommend this (time sink), but I would recommend you go to news sites (or just Google) to read up on the news.
6. Get on the phone. Simply call the company and ask to talk to someone. She suggests talking with HR – I would not recommend that.  But yes, talk to someone at the company
7. What does your agency know? Referring to a recruiting shop – if a recruiter helped you get their, ask them lots of questions (she has a list of questions here).

Are you doing enough company research before the interview?  I remember when I was interviewing candidates it was amazing to see who was prepared for the interview and who came to just wing it.

1. Verbal Communication Skills
2. Strong Work Ethic
3. Teamwork Skills
4. Analytical Skills
5. Initiative

Source: Job Outlook 2011, National Association of Colleges and Employers.

None of this is surprising to me. It shouldn’t be surprising to you. But the question is what do you do with this information?

Many people think they need to say “I have great communication skills,” or “I’m an excellent teamworker,” or “I have a lot of initiative.”

Guess what?  EVERYONE WILL SAY THAT!

Here’s what you do: figure out how to tell stories that demonstrate your skills.

Can you think of a time when you used your verbal communication skills to help make, or save, money for a company?

Can you think of a time when you were on a difficult team but used your ninja teamwork skills to pull it together and get the job down?

Can you tell me a story that shows you have exceptional initiative?

Get the point?

Don’t tell me you have the skill – tell a story that demonstrates that story!

In this presentation, we will briefly review the basics and then focus on advanced techniques using LinkedIn. These techniques can set you apart and help you optimize your time, and your marketing efforts, on LinkedIn.

In this 90 minute session you will learn:

• How to tweak our Profile to increase the odds of being found.
• How to find key contacts using multiple techniques.
• The best way to communicate with those with whom you are not connected…without paying for the upgrade.
• What to include in your communications to increase odds of getting read and increase your perceived value.
• To maximize the value of LinkedIn Groups.
• How to regularly promote “your brand” in a non-offensive way.
• How to use LinkedIn Answers to build your network and nurture individual relationships.

Feel free to join us – there is a charge but I’m working on the agenda to deliver for you! Join us Wednesday or get the recording later, if you can’t be on the live webinar.

Also, I noticed that Barbara Safani did a presentation called “SHOW ME THE MONEY – Executive Compensation Negotiation In Today’s Marketplace.” You can order the digital recording by calling 800-241-5642.

Click here to join the http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3662550.

• A really, really good elevator pitch. Most elevator pitches I hear are (yawn) horrible!  One of the worst offenders is JARGON.  Keep your pitch JARGON-FREE!
• Knowledge. Specifically, knowledge of today’s job search strategies.  In my job search I used outdated strategies and found myself spinning my wheels… it was NOT FUN and not productive.  You need to learn enough so you do the right stuff, and avoid waisting your time.
• Self-confidence. Too many job seekers lose their self-confidence and are not able to network or interview well.  Two of my most popular blog post are about job search depression and about how we communicate in a job search (analogy: “don’t let HR smell blood!”).
• An email signature. Your email signature is a marketing opportunity.  What message is it giving?  Can I tell, just from your email signature, what your value proposition and/or brand is?
• A LinkedIn Account. This is, hands-down, the most important network for you to join and proactively use in your job search.

What would you add?