Establishing a strong professional brand on LinkedIn can help you connect with peers, mentors, and potential employers, enhancing your visibility within the medical community.

This guide will provide step-by-step instructions to set up a basic profile, walk you through the most important sections of your LinkedIn profile and provide some examples to get you started.

Remember you can change or update your LinkedIn profile in an instant. While it is important to spend some time reflecting on what you want to be known for when first setting up your profile, remember that the information on the platform is dynamic, meaning you can edit it whenever you want, and it is only the updated version of the content that people will see.
 

Instructions for setting up your LinkedIn profile

• Sign up or log in: Go to LinkedIn.com and sign up for a new account or log in to your existing account.

• Complete your profile: Follow LinkedIn's prompts to complete your profile, including adding a professional photo.

• Add your headline: Click on the 'Edit' button next to your profile picture and enter your compelling headline.

• Write your summary: Scroll down to the 'About' section and click 'Add Summary'. Write your engaging summary.

• Detail your experience: Scroll down to the 'Experience' section and click 'Add Experience'. Enter your roles, responsibilities and achievements.

• Showcase your education and certifications: Scroll down to the 'Education' and 'Licenses & Certifications' sections and click 'Add Education' and 'Add Certification'.

Top tips for your LinkedIn profile

1. Craft a compelling headline

Why it's important: Your headline is the first thing people see and should clearly convey your professional identity and aspirations. It sets the tone for your entire profile. Your headline sits under your name at the top of your LinkedIn profile.

Steps to create a strong headline:

• Use keywords relevant to your field.

• Highlight your current role and areas of expertise.

• Include your career goals or aspirations.

Example: 'Senior Registrar | Aspiring Consultant in Cardiology | Dedicated to Patient Care and Medical Research'.
 

2. Write a strong summary (ABOUT section)

Why it's important: The ABOUT summary section allows you to tell your professional story in a compelling way. It's your opportunity to highlight your achievements, skills and career goals.

Steps to write an engaging summary:

• Start with a brief introduction about yourself.

• Highlight your key achievements and areas of expertise.

• Mention your career goals and what sets you apart.

• Aim for a balance between professionalism and personality.

Example: 'I am a dedicated Senior Registrar with a passion for cardiology and patient care. Over the past several years, I have honed my skills in clinical practice, research and leadership. My goal is to transition to a consultant role where I can continue to make a positive impact on patient outcomes and advance medical research.'
 

3. Highlight your experience (EXPERIENCE section)

Why it's important: Detailing your work experience helps establish your credibility and expertise. It shows potential employers and colleagues what you have accomplished in your career.

Steps to detail your experience:

• List your roles in reverse chronological order.

• Use bullet points to outline your responsibilities and achievements.

• Focus on roles and responsibilities relevant to your transition to a consultant.

Example: Senior Registrar, Cardiology Department

• Led a team of junior doctors and medical students.

• Conducted and published research on cardiovascular diseases.

• Implemented new patient care protocols that improved outcomes.
 

4. Showcase your education and certifications

Why it's important: This section helps establish your credibility and expertise by listing your educational background and certifications.

Steps to showcase your education:

• List your medical school and any additional qualifications.

• Highlight any honours or awards you have received.

• Include relevant certifications.

Example: Education

• Doctor of Medicine, University of Melbourne

• Master of Public Health, Monash University

Certifications

• Royal Australasian College of Physicians, FRACP, Cardiology

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification
 

By following these steps, you can create a basic LinkedIn profile that effectively showcases your professional brand and supports your transition to a consultant role. A strong LinkedIn presence can help you connect with key individuals, stay informed about industry developments and enhance your career prospects.

LinkedIn is a powerful platform and there is a lot more to explore than just what we have covered here. Look out for articles and resources from AMA Victoria on this topic in the future.