If you’re looking for a job right now, then you’re probably wondering, “How do I get these recruiters and hiring managers to find me while they’re searching on LinkedIn?”
Too often, LinkedIn users view their profiles simply as an electronic resume. Stop that right now. Instead, think of it as a personal brand statement that allows you to shine in the eyes of the recruiters, hiring managers, key influencers and people with whom you have spent a tremendous amount of time networking.
Here are some tips that will help you stand out from the crowd:
Use a professional-looking profile photo.
This photo is critical because it demonstrates your level of confidence and professionalism long before a recruiter or hiring manager meets you. This photo is often quickly referred to before someone meets you for the first time- at a formal or informational interview, conference, or networking event. Therefore, the photo should a) only contain you (no group shots or others cropped out with their arm around you) and b) not be three years old. So, have a friend pull out that phone, camera, computer or iPad and take a new photo.
Open with an engaging, simple headline.
LinkedIn gives users an opportunity to feature themselves through a summary statement called the headline. It appears directly below your picture in employers’ search results and often times is used to scan possible candidates or connections. Never leave it blank.
If you’re currently employed, change your LinkedIn profile headline to one that is more descriptive. Instead of blandly stating your official job title ” Sales Manager at XYZ Company, ” create a statement that is meaningful and shows what you’ve contributed, like “Award-winning sales manager and relationship builder.” Note: Keep in mind that companies all use different titles for the same position (customer service, account services, client care) so using a more generalized statement could work in your favor.
If you are a student, be certain that your headline says that. Do not retain a headline that describes your summer internship or current part-time role. However, you can include your goal or interests. “Graduating economics major seeking financial analyst position”.
Proper email address.
If you haven’t already, establish a dedicated job search email address. Use your name. If you happen to have a common name you could add a bit of a descriptor: brynjohnson@gmail.com, brynzjohnson@hotmail.com, brynjohnsonarchitect@gmail.com.
Add this email address to your LinkedIn profile and use it for all of your job search correspondence. It reinforces your name in the recruiters’ mind and is also easier to find in a search in their LinkedIn or professional electronic inbox. Like a professional resume or formal document, you need to put your best foot forward and not advertise your hobbies or interests such as harleyriding55@aol.com or beckysmom@gmail.com.
Keywords are key.
Ironic? I think not. It is like magic. Incorporating relevant words throughout your LinkedIn profile to describe abilities, interests and strengths makes it easier for employers to find your profile and identify whether you’re a good match for an open position. They are typing those very words into LinkedIn’s search engine and you want your profile to be returned for the right position.
To find these effective “magic” words, research the profiles of people who have the job you want as well as the job listings for the positions you desire. What words show up most frequently in both places? These are probably some of the keywords recruiters are using.
Next, be a smart job seeker and sprinkle these words throughout your own profile, assuming they accurately reflect your skills and experience, of course. Good places to include keywords in your LinkedIn profile: your profile title, the Summary section, Skills and Expertise section and throughout the descriptions beneath each position you list in your Experience section.
Get your profile to 100% complete.
LinkedIn helps new users get their profiles the most visibility with a profile progress bar showing how close you are to completing your profile. Each completed category field is another piece of your professional framework that employers can explore. Letting your profile dangle below the 100 percent mark is a disservice to you and your career. Plus, there are always new opportunities presented by LinkedIn, often beta tests, for new information you can add to a profile. Take advantage whenever you can to get added exposure for your profile.
Getting your LinkedIn profile fully completed entails adding a head shot, headline, summary, experience, educational background, skills, and highlights from your resume.
It is really that simple. Start with these five tips before you move on to joining LinkedIn groups and gathering recommendations.
-Bryn Johnson ’89