LinkedIn Scorecard
How to Evaluate and Score Your LinkedIn ProfileThe LinkedIn Scorecard is a comprehensive self-assessment that allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of your LinkedIn profile according to LinkedIn’s best practices in the following areas:
An effective LinkedIn profile is an asset in a passive job search, allowing you to be found online by recruiters and hiring managers looking for candidates like you. It is also essential in an active job search, allowing you to connect with hiring companies, apply for positions online, and use your network more effectively. Give yourself the appropriate number of points for each line. Then total your score. LinkedIn Profile CompletenessProfiles that are considered “complete” by LinkedIn’s standards receive 40 times more “opportunities” (contacts from prospective hiring managers and recruiters) than incomplete profiles. LinkedIn has its criteria for “profile completeness” — these are things you need to have on your LinkedIn account to have a “complete profile", according to LinkedIn.
Not listed on your profile = 0 On profile = 4 RECOMMENDATION: Including your industry is one of the items required for profile completeness.
Not listed on your profile = 0 On profile = 4 RECOMMENDATION: Including your location is one of the items required for profile completeness.
No current position on profile = 0 Simple listing (job title/company) = 2 Complete listing with description = 4 RECOMMENDATION: An updated current position is one of the items required for profile completeness.
No past position = 0 1 past position with simple listing = 1 2 past positions with simple listings = 2 1 past positions with complete listing = 3 2 past positions with complete listings = 4 RECOMMENDATION: Including two past positions under Experience is one of the items required for profile completeness.
No current education on profile = 0 Complete listing (institution and degree) = 4 RECOMMENDATION: Including details about your education is one of the items required for profile completeness.
Not on profile = 0 Minimum of three listed = 4 RECOMMENDATION: Including a minimum of three Skills is one of the items required for profile completeness.
Not on profile = 0 Have a profile photo = 4 RECOMMENDATION: Including a profile photo is one of the items required for profile completeness.
Fewer than 50 connections = 0 50 or more connections = 4 RECOMMENDATION: The more connections you have, the wider your network.
LinkedIn Profile PhotoLinkedIn profiles with photos get 21 times more views and 36 times more messages. Is your LinkedIn profile photo giving the right impression?
Older than 2 years = 0 points Within the last 24 months = 1 point Within the last 18 months = 2 points Within the last year = 3 points RECOMMENDATION: Having a profile photo is important. Keeping it up to date is also important.
Yes = 2 points No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Make sure your photo is appropriate for a business profile.
RECOMMENDATION: Your face should be clearly recognizable in your profile photo.
Yes = 0 points No = 2 points RECOMMENDATION: Including a relevant background photo can enhance your personal brand.
Yes = 2 points No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: The photo should be high resolution.
LinkedIn HeadlineYour LinkedIn Headline is one of the first things someone sees when they search for you. It is very important to have a good LinkedIn Headline.
Only name and/or credentials = 0 points More than your name and/or credentials = 2 points RECOMMENDATION: Don’t include more information in your Headline than LinkedIn allows (name and credentials are allowed).
Yes = 2 points No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Don’t just use the default LinkedIn Headline. Make sure it speaks to your uniqueness. Write a good LinkedIn headline.
Yes = 2 points No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Maximize your impact — use all the characters to your best advantage.
Yes = 2 points No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Help yourself be found by recruiters and hiring managers. Use relevant keywords in your Headline.
LinkedIn Profile Basics
No volunteer work = 0 points At least one volunteer position = 1 point Multiple volunteer positions listed = 2 points RECOMMENDATION: Including volunteer experience not only populates another LinkedIn section, but it also shows how well-rounded you are.
No Projects listed = 0 points At least one Project listed = 1 point Multiple Projects listed = 2 points RECOMMENDATION: Including Projects not only populates another LinkedIn section, but also can demonstrate your proficiency in some of your Skill areas.
No Organizations listed = 0 points At least one Organization listed = 1 point Multiple Organizations listed = 2 points RECOMMENDATION: Including Organizations not only populates another LinkedIn section, but also can demonstrate your willingness to get involved in activities.
You have fewer than 5 Skills listed = 0 points You have 5-24 Skills listed = 1 point You have at least 25 Skills listed = 2 points RECOMMENDATION: Three Skills are necessary for profile completeness, but the more you include, the better your chances of being found. (Skills count as valuable keywords for search engine optimization.)
No personalized URL = 0 points Personalized URL = 3 points RECOMMENDATION: Personalizing your URL shows you know your way around LinkedIn (it’s a power user tip) and makes it easy to use your LinkedIn URL outside of LinkedIn.
None of the links renamed = 0 points Some text links renamed = 1 point Most text links renamed = 2 points All text links renamed = 3 points RECOMMENDATION: Renaming your links is a power user tip.
Many errors = 0 points Several errors = 1 point Few errors = 2 points No errors = 3 points RECOMMENDATION: Having an error-free profile is essential to making a good impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
Your Personal Brand on LinkedInFor your LinkedIn profile to help you reach your personal and professional goals, you must be able to communicate what makes you exceptional and compelling. This is your personal brand.
Yes = 1 point No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Don’t include “everything” on your LinkedIn profile — only information that is needed to help a hiring manager or recruiter decide to contact you.
Yes = 1 point No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Does your profile help give a recruiter or hiring manager a good idea of who you are and how you can be an asset to your next employer?
Yes = 1 point No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Make sure you are including information that makes the case for your relevant qualifications.
The About SectionThe LinkedIn ABOUT section is your opportunity to tell your story — briefly and succinctly.
Yes = 2 points Somewhat = 1 point No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Like with your LinkedIn Headline, your ABOUT section should uniquely describe you.
Yes = 2 points Somewhat = 1 point No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: The About section on LinkedIn should be a concise representation of who you are and what you have to offer.
Yes = 2 points Somewhat = 1 point No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: The About section should entice the reader to read more!
More than 100 words up to the max = 2 points Between 40-100 words = 1 point No content or fewer than 40 words = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: You have lots of characters/words to use in the Summary — make the most of them!
Common LinkedIn Profile MistakesAvoid making common LinkedIn mistakes on your profile.
Yes = 1 point No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Don’t try to be “all things to all people” — instead, focus your profile.
(LinkedIn is a social media platform, albeit a professional social media platform. In contrast with your resume, which is a more formal document, your tone on LinkedIn should be informal, using the first-person pronoun [I, me]). Yes = 1 point No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: An informal profile should be in first person (I, me); a formal profile should be written in third person (Sharon, she or Tim, he)
(Make sure to include information in all relevant sections — i.e., Honors & Awards, Languages, Certifications, Patents, Publications, etc.) Yes = 1 point No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Make sure to include information in all relevant sections — i.e., Honors & Awards, Languages, Certifications, Patents, Publications, etc.
Ask for Recommendations; aim for one Recommendation for every 50-100 connections Yes = 1 point No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Ask for Recommendations; aim for one Recommendation for every 50-100 connections.
Engaging on LinkedInOnly about 40 percent of LinkedIn users log in daily. The average LinkedIn user accesses their account for 17 minutes per month. What you do while you’re on LinkedIn is important.
Add connections every time you log in = 4 points Add connections weekly = 3 points Add connections monthly = 2 points Add connections only occasionally = 1 point Have not added any connections since joining = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Growing your network is one of the most powerful functions of LinkedIn. Continue to add connections to improve your network.
Log in at least twice a month = 2 points Log in at least once a month = 1 point Log in less than once a month = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Accessing your LinkedIn account regularly is important.
Following at least 5 Company Pages = 2 points Follow at least 1 Company Page = 1 point Don’t follow any Company Pages = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Company Pages can provide you with connections to your target employer as well as notifications of job openings.
Post three times a month or more = 3 points Post twice a month or more = 2 points Post on your profile at least once a week = 1 point Post less than once a week = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Sharing content on your LinkedIn feed is one of the best things you can do to engage with your network of connections and increase your visibility on LinkedIn.
Post photos three times a month or more = 3 points Post photos twice a month or more = 2 points Post photos at least once a week = 1 point Post photos less than once a week = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: There’s that saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. Pictures are a great way to get engagement on your LinkedIn news feed.
Yes = 3 points No = 0 points RECOMMENDATION: Posting articles using LinkedIn Publishing is a great way to establish yourself as a thought leader.
ScoringThe content feed on LinkedIn gets 9 billion impressions per week, so this is a huge opportunity for engagement. However, only 1% of LinkedIn’s users share posts at least once a week. Only 0.2% of LinkedIn users have published an article using LinkedIn Publishing. Remember, posts with photos increase the comment rate by 98%.
90-100 Points Congratulations! You’ve positioned yourself to be found by recruiters and hiring managers and are on your way to building a strong network for your career goals. Keep up the good work! 80-89 Points Your profile is very strong, but there are some opportunities to improve it. Review the scorecard and see where you can raise your score. 70-79 Points You’ve got a good start, but you’re missing some key areas where your profile can help you attract career opportunities. Review your scorecard and shore up the areas where your scores were low. 60-69 Points Your profile isn’t as effective as it could be. Spend some time working on it and you’ll increase your career opportunities. Focus on making sure your profile is complete and spend some time engaging on LinkedIn. 59 Points or Below Help! Your profile needs attention. LinkedIn isn’t a “set it and forget it” platform. Invest some time in your profile. You May Also Like About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. |
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AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. 
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