One of the questions we get asked the most is how a candidate can stand out online to a recruiter. Being recruited through LinkedIn can depend on a lot of things, one being the app’s algorithm itself. Although no one can outsmart an algorithm, there are numerous things a person can do to their profile that will help them stand out on LinkedIn and be seen quicker when job searching.
Read on about our 8 tips to ensure your profile is in tip-top shape, and to help you get noticed quicker!
1. Updated professional profile picture
LinkedIn is a professional social media platform; it is important to have a picture that depicts you in the best way, after all your picture will be the first impression a recruiter or hiring manager will have of you. When you’re preparing for your headshot, make sure to take the time and get dressed up. If you don’t have a tripod laying around, ask someone (it can be a friend, family member, or professional) to take pictures of you. These pictures can be taken outside or inside, just be sure the background is not distracting, you are the focal point, and the lighting is bright and well lit on your face!
2. Have a catchy headline
The headline provides a quick reference for you. There is not a right or wrong answer as to what to put, some individuals will put their title, a tag line about their employer, or highlight some of their skills. The headline can also be utilized to put the title you are seeking, or the employer you wish to work at. For example, if you were looking to work for CNN as a broadcaster, you could put your headline as “Enthusiastic Reporter Seeking Broadcasting Job at CNN”.
3. Update your location
If you have moved or plan on moving to a new city, make sure to update your location. This is important because recruiters search for individuals in certain zip code radiuses. If you are looking for a job outside of a certain state or area, you’ll want to come up in the search results!
4. Detailed summary
If you had to give someone a pitch on yourself in the elevator, what would it be? Use the summary section on your LinkedIn profile in this way. Reveal highlights about your career, a summary of your current or previous responsibilities, and your personal characteristics.
5. Updated and detailed job summary
It is important to add details under each position you have held. It will paint a better picture for individuals in your network about your work history. That way if someone is looking for a particular person to network with or looking to hire a new employee they will have a better understanding of your background and current position.
6. Add your top skills
Take the time to look at the skills section on your profile. Add skills you have acquired throughout your career, list software systems you have used, and interpersonal skills. Recruiters will search for candidates who have certain skills listed, so the more you list the better!
7. Make connections
It is very important to build your network on LinkedIn. Connect with recruiters, individuals who have a similar career as you, and people who are in management roles. If you don’t always know the person you are connecting with, that can actually be a good thing! Expanding your network with certain connections can actually make you more searchable to an employer.
8. Utilize groups
Joining LinkedIn groups are a great resource for someone who is looking for a job or looking to grow their network with individuals who are in the same industry. When looking for groups to join, search for alumni groups, groups that are specific to your career, professional groups specific to your geographical location, and national organizations you may have been a part of or are interested in. Once you find and join these different groups, you’ll find that companies and recruiters will post about positions they are trying to fill. Another perk to being involved in groups on LinkedIn is you can find individuals to network with that can become a resource in the future.
Another important reason to join groups is to build your second-degree connections. When you join a group, you will instantly become a second-degree connection with the other members of the group. When recruiters are searching for individuals to reach out to about open positions, they are more likely to reach out to you if you share the same second-degree connection as them. The more second-degree connections you have, the more you will
After taking the time to read this far down, do you have what our list outlines above? If not, refer to this as a checklist and revisit it as you make updates to your profile! For tips and content weekly, be sure to subscribe to this newsletter and follow us on our social platforms.