Get Your LinkedIn Profile Fall-Ready With This Simple 3-Step Plan

LinkedIn has come a long way since it launched in 2003 as an online résumé and networking resource. Now with over a billion members, it has become the most powerful tool for introducing yourself, building your personal brand, and expanding your career success. For ambitious, career-minded professionals, LinkedIn is an essential and impactful resource, when you make the most of it.

Update And Upgrade Your LinkedIn Profile

Right now is the perfect time to give your digital brand some attention with the September work reboot here and year-end goals just around the corner. A little focused effort (with a boost from AI) can help you finish 2025 strong and set you up for next year. But where should you focus to maximize the value of LinkedIn without feeling overwhelmed? Start here.

As the world has gone digital, so has your first impression. People are checking out your LinkedIn profile and making decisions about you based on what it says, and how it looks. So, ask yourself, Is my profile accurate, up-to-date, relevant, interesting, impressive, and credible? To get ready for fall, focus on these five profile elements that deliver the biggest impact.

1. Your LinkedIn Headline Makes You Relevant

Your headline has three functions. First, it tells people who you are and what you do. It boosts your chances of showing up high in search results (when you use all the right keywords). Lastly, it sparks curiosity, getting people to want to read on and learn more. Think of it as your professional tagline. These examples can help you craft one that works for you.

2. Your LinkedIn Headshot Makes You Real In The Virtual World

Your headshot is the closest thing you have to a digital handshake. Make sure it’s current, engaging, professional, and high quality. Crop your picture so your face takes up most of the frame, look directly at the camera, and smile (a smile is the universal welcome symbol). A warm, approachable photo goes a long way toward building trust in the virtual world.

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3. Your LinkedIn About Makes You Relatable

Your About section (formerly called Summary) is the most-read version of your bio—and it’s meant to be your story, not just a recap of all the content in your Experience section. That means in addition to your accomplishments, awards and accolades, use your 2,600 characters to share content about who you are as a person. Highlight your values and passions, share your purpose, let readers know what your superpowers and differentiators are. Then, use your preferred AI tool to polish your draft. Done well, your About section shows that you’re both credible and likable. It makes people want to know you beyond the bullet points.

4. Your LinkedIn Background Makes You Resonant

Although many people stick with the boring greenish grey background that’s LinkedIn’s default, this piece of visual real estate that sits at the top of your profile is the perfect place to communicate your uniqueness and connect with viewers. Since it’s the very first thing people see, choose an image that’s authentic to you and reinforces your message. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words. Make those words work for you by chosing a visual that helps you exude your unique and compelling brand. Check out these examples.

5. Your LinkedIn Featured Section Makes You Remarkable

The feature called Featured provides an opportunity to spotlight things you are proud of. Like your background it is visually forward. That helps you make your profile more captivating and connective. This section shows up near the top of your profile, giving you a serious opportunity to influence those who are checking you out. Use the Featured section to showcase your wins in a visual, engaging way that captures attention fast.

After you’ve made your LinkedIn profile relevant, real, relatable, resonant, and remarkable. It’s time to focus on building and nurturing your network and increasing your visibility with stakeholders.

Build And Bolster Your Network

LinkedIn’s value goes beyond having a profile, it’s a community. Your network can open doors, provide learning opportunities, and give you a platform to share value. To make the most of it:

• Update your network. Reconnect with former colleagues, classmates, and clients you may have lost touch with, and those you didn’t add this year.
• Expand strategically. Add people who align with your aspirations, like industry leaders, peers, prospects, mentors or mentees.
• Support others. Go beyond collecting connections by engaging with them. Comment thoughtfully, send congratulations, and share content that helps them succeed.

Life is who you know, and LinkedIn makes it easy to know (and be known by) the right people.

Establish A LinkedIn Communication Cadence

Visibility matters. If you’ve gone quiet on LinkedIn—or never really got into the habit—now’s the time to change that. You don’t need to make LinkedIn your full-time job, but you do need to show up consistently and regularly. A steady rhythm of sharing and engaging keeps you top-of-mind with your stakeholders.

Here are three ways to stay visible without the stress:

• Curate smartly. As you encounter content throughout your day, each time you read or watch something that you think will be valuable to your audience, share it. And remember to add your point of view, making it more valuable.
• Be a brand ambassador. Show your loyalty and connection to your company by sharing relevant content from your company’s LinkedIn page with your audience. When it comes from you, it is more believable than when shared from the traditional communications channel, and it is ready-made content that you don’t have to create. Just remember not to share everything. Share what helps you bolster your brand.
• Co-create with AI. Use AI to polish your writing, generate ideas, or repurpose content. Decide on a cadence (weekly, biweekly, or monthly), and stick with it. Consistency builds credibility.

Use The Remaining Weeks Of Summer To Enhance Your LinkedIn Strategy

Your LinkedIn profile isn’t just a digital résumé, it’s your first impression, your credibility check, and your 24/7 personal brand ambassador helping you engage with all the right people. With a few focused upgrades and a simple cadence, you can make LinkedIn one of your most valuable career tools this fall and beyond.

William Arruda is a keynote speaker, author, and personal branding pioneer. Get practical tips for practical tips on using AI to uncover, express, and expand your personal brand in this Maven Lightning Lesson video.