With 87% of recruiters using LinkedIn to vet job candidates, an active LinkedIn profile has become the standard for today’s job seeker. Standing out in a sea of other candidates on the platform isn’t easy, but a well-crafted LinkedIn profile can help! Here are some tips to improve your LinkedIn strategy and get your profile noticed.
Upload a profile photo that represents you
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. On LinkedIn, adding a profile picture is worth 21x more profile views and 36x more messages! When choosing a photo for your profile, make sure it represents who you are and aligns with the type of job you want. A professional headshot is best, but if you don’t have one LinkedIn has some simple, helpful tips on taking and editing your own photo.
Compose an attention-grabbing headline
When a recruiter conducts a search on LinkedIn, the first things they will see are your name, photo, and headline. In your 120-character headline, your main goal is to encourage the reader to click on you and continue reading the rest of your profile. Clearly state what you do using keywords that will help potential employers find you, and add one more thing (your industry or your current goal, for instance) to set your headline apart. Some examples of a well-crafted headline are “Marketing/PR Manager for Wireless Devices” or “Executive Administrator (Bilingual) Seeking My Next Challenge”
Write a summary that is personable, searchable, and authentically YOU
An effective LinkedIn summary makes people want to know more about you and ultimately connect with you one-on-one. Use this section to weave together who you are, your experience, the type of things you are interested in, and goals you would like to achieve. Feel free to show your personality and write in the first person if you wish – 70-80% professional and 20-30% personal information is a good ratio for this section. LinkedIn recommends a summary of 40 words or more to improve your profile’s searchability, so consider the keywords you want to use here as well.
Keep your experience relevant
Take this content from your resume and summarize each entry in a way that will engage readers and support your brand message. You don’t need to include every detail you have on your resume – omit or minimize the points that are not relevant to your career aspirations.
Take advantage of the ‘Open Candidates’ feature
From your Career Interests dashboard, you can set preferences for your next role, including job titles, location, preferred start date, and company size. You can also turn on ‘Open Candidates’, which signals to recruiters that you’re open to new opportunities. By setting these preferences, you’ll start to see more relevant job recommendations and receive opportunities from recruiters that are more tailored to what you’re looking for in your next opportunity.
Looking for more advice on how to perfect your LinkedIn profile? Visit your local WorkBC Centre to attend a workshop or review your profile with a career advisor. Find your local WorkBC Centre.
