Nothing says I am a LinkedIn amateur like having a URL like this: http://linkedin.com/pub/firstname-lastname435564-hjfjrigjhot.
It’s important to clean up your LinkedIn URL by deleting the extra numbers and letters in it. When you first create your LinkedIn profile you are assigned a random cocktail of alphanumeric characters. Take the time to update your LinkedIn URL; it will make your profile easier to find by recruiters if you update it to a more searchable address. It’s also much easier to publicize your profile with a customized URL (ideally www.linkedin.com/in/yourname).
How do you customize your LinkedIn URL? On the Edit Profile screen at the bottom of the gray window that shows your basic information, you’ll see a Public Profile URL. Click Edit next to the URL and specify what you’d like your address to be. When you’re finished, click Set Custom URL. If your name is already taken, include the first character of your first name and your last name, or add your professional title or a certification, or both. For example, mine is www.linkedin.com/in/ryanandersonphd.