There is no question that in 2020 if you are looking for a "white-collar" job in the corporate, public, or nonprofit sectors, you need to be on LinkedIn.
In addition to the blog below, I'd like to invite you to download my LinkedIn checklist, so that you can review your profile top to bottom.
Linkedin is considered the platform for professional networking and job hunting. Furthermore, with the advent of COVID and many workplaces and coffee shops around the globe still shut down, LinkedIn is the new "High Street". With over 600 million users, it's the only mainstream western social platform that is available worldwide, including China, whereas Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are still out of reach in that country. 
Here are some statistics that prove the point of maximizing and amplifying your presence on the platform:  
Less than half of people with LinkedIn profiles are actively using the platform. That is, posting links, sharing content, commenting, and updating their profiles regularly. This is good news for you if you want to take advantage of LinkedIn to boost your professional connections and reputation.

 
Linkedin users are high earners: Data shows that close to 44% of its users in the United States take home an annual salary which is above the national median. It's safe to say we can extrapolate that to other countries as well. So again, if you are in a white-collar profession, this is likely the platform for you to develop your connections and opportunities for work and business.

 
Linkedin is excellent for discovering people: Who are the right people to connect in the organization you want to work for? Who are the right recruiters and headhunters for your expertise, and also to do your research before applying for a job (i.e. who was doing the job before you? Who will be your manager and co-workers?). By doing a bit of research, you can easily uncover all of the people listed above.

 
Recruiters and hiring managers are heavy users and likely to be on LinkedIn every day. There are on average 14 million jobs advertised on LinkedIn at any one time. And I don't know a single recruiter or head hunter who doesn't rely heavily on LinkedIn to do their jobs - both to advertise roles and search for great candidates.

Despite all of the above, which when we put pen to paper shows the power of the platform over one's career, it's amazing to see how many professionals neglect their profiles and don't take the steps to make the platform work for them, instead of against them.
Linkedin is the new High Street.
Imagine LinkedIn is the main business hub in your city. In Melbourne, that would be Collins Street. Imagine you are walking up Collins Street on your way to an important meeting which could have huge repercussions on your career. I'm assuming you would be dressed to impress, and ready to deliver your pitch, yes?
Well, that's how you'd have to be in 2020 when you are on Linkedin. Let's start with the basics:
1. You need a professional photo
The first step to impress on LinkedIn is not dissimilar from the first impression you want to have when you walk into a job interview. So investing in a professional photo is key and LinkedIn data shows it can get your profile 14 times more views than other types of profile pictures. A great photo needs to inspire confidence, convey work experience, and portrait you as a likable person. 
I do LinkedIn Audits as a service, and it still surprises me how many excellent professionals have terrible profile photos. I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to find a great picture that shows your best self to your network.
2. Work experience that has meaning and is relatable
A lot of people focus on writing a great headline for their profiles and on having a very inspirational About section. But when you check out their Work Experience section, nothing makes sense. You don't know the organizations they worked for, their job titles as a jumble of acronyms and abbreviations that means no