sync your profile and your resume

(they will look)

Information on your LinkedIn profile that doesn't match what's on your resume is a huge red flag. Make sure that employers, dates, titles and education details all match-up. Mismatches can cause you to never be considered for an interview or put you in an awkward position of having to explain them during an interview.

supplement your resume

(this is the place to add detail)

Feel like you absolutely have to have a 10 page resume to get your story across? (you don't) Keep your resume to 1-3 pages but include a link to your LinkedIn profile so you can include additional details. This is also a more appropriate place to include personal activities and volunteer work.

contact information

(be findable)

If you are actively (or semi-actively) looking for new opportunities, include your contact information in your summary. Recruiters are able to contact you without necessarily having to send a connection invitation first.

Stay updated

(there's always something new)

Try to make periodic updates to your profile. This makes it easier to keep current and removes any suspicion that may come from a flurry of activity that may look like you're preparing to jump ship.

include a Profile picture

(a professional looking one)

A profile without a picture is a recruiter's fist indicator that they should expect to find little content or information that is out-of-date. The Ladders study also showed that the picture is where people spent the most time looking at a profile. You don't have to be a supermodel to get noticed but you do need a professional looking picture. Overly casual Facebook selfies are not good options for LinkedIn. Need some suggestions on how to take a good profile pic? - Check out Peter Hurley's video.