My phone home screen hosts tons of apps that I use on a daily basis. Whether I'm at home leisurely scrolling on Twitter, waiting to board my plane listening to SoundCloud at the gate or at a new restaurant sharing my yummy experience on Wine & Dine; I'm always connecting and interacting with my network. Most of my favorite apps are social, which is great, but there are some really cool professional apps out there as well. LinkedIn is my favorite!

It’s the world’s largest professional network with over 300 million members. I like to think of LinkedIn as a social networking tool. It’s become significant in personal branding, networking and it's a vital career resource. It allows you to increase your digital visibility while staying connected with the members of your network. There is always a new app to keep up with but LinkedIn has really perfected the professional networking market.

No matter your age it’s really important to not only have a LinkedIn profile but to make sure it represents your personal and professional brand. I pride myself on having an All-Star profile and a being a premium member. I've met mentors, connected with established alumni and found awesome opportunities all through LinkedIn. I really believe that no matter your age or career, anyone can benefit from LinkedIn. To help you move further and take your profile to the next level or create one, I’ve compiled a list to help you get noticed and get connected!

1. Profile Photo
This is a MUST. No one likes to see a gray avatar – they want to see what you look like! The photo should be recent and recognizable. It can be professional and still show your personality! Leave the group photos and selfies for Twitter and Instagram.

2. Quirky Headline & Summary
Your headline is one of the first things that the eyes catch on a profile. You need something that’ll really make you stand out. Your summary is a lot like the first few lines of your cover letter. Include the really quick version of your branding story. Highlight your background, goals, use your keywords and write in first person. It's a lot like an elevator pitch – but imagine you’re only going up two floors this trip. It’s a one-on-one conversation with your profile viewer so really think about the tone and style you want to portray. Your summary should leave them clicking the connect button and excited to connect with you!

3. Customized URL
When you first sign up you're given a really long URL with letters and numbers. Change it to something that’s a bit more personal. First name last name is always a good choice and it’s the safest. Be sure it’s consistent with your other platforms and emails!

4. Skills
Everyone says you should have the standard 50 skills. The basics like Microsoft Office and then ones that really make you stand out such as Adobe programs or HTML. Make sure they’re relevant and speak to your expertise. Your connections can recommend you for other skills too.

5. Recommendations
A well-written recommendation says a lot about you as an employee if you can get your past or current employer to endorse you publicly. And, don't forget to return the favor!

6. Published posts
LinkedIn’s Pulse section is one of my favorite features on the site. You can read, share or write your own trending stories. I use this section to share my blog posts with my connections and read up on what some major influencers that I follow are talking about. It’s a great way to show your interests, keep up on industry trends, display writing samples or impress an employer.

LinkedIn is really an amazing tool. If you don’t have a profile, I recommend you make one and if you do I recommend you sign up for a 1-month free trial of LinkedIn premium (if you haven't done so already)! Premium offers a ton of extra features and a better job search. If you're like me the thought of networking can sometimes make you cringe; but, thanks to LinkedIn, networking has gotten a bit less intense... Happy connecting!

6 Ways to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile