What is the most important tool for a job seeker? What springs to mind would probably be your CV and your network. But what about the platform that joins these two together? LinkedIn allows you to share your experience, skills and qualifications, connecting you with future employers and people who share your interests or industry. When using LinkedIn a good rule of thumb is to imagine your own profile through the eyes of a recruiter or an employer. Think if you were a recruiter, what items on your profile could make you stand out against the crowd. We have gathered our top tips from IT Resourcing's Recruiters to help you optimize your LinkedIn profile to for your next job search.
Choose a Professional Profile Picture
It goes back to the old saying “It’s nice to put a face to the name”. When choosing a profile photo, it is advisable not to put up a group photo, so that whoever is viewing your profile knows who you are. Ensure sure the quality of the image is good and not pixelated or blurry. Also, best to use a recent photo, where you are dressed the way, you would be going to an interview, to make the best first impression that you can.
Create a Descriptive Headline
LinkedIn automatically uses your current job title in your current company; however, you can use this as an opportunity to stand out and can create a more significant impression of your role or what it is that you do. For example, instead of showing “Jane Bloggs, Cyber Security Consultant at Company X”. You could for instance write, “Jane Bloggs, Cyber Security Consultant at Company X – Committed to Excellence in Protecting Your Data and Privacy”.
Write an Interesting and Engaging Summary
Let’s imagine a recruiter has landed on your profile, they have seen the first two things on your profile, your picture and tag line, now for the real introduction, your summary. You’re after bothering to write one, so now you want to make sure that its fully read. The advice is to make the summary brief. If it’s too long, the reader will simply skim or jump over parts. Make it shorter, but still informative and engaging for the reader. According to Teal, your summary should include:
- Your years of experience
- Any awards
- Tangible metrics that illustrate your success
- Share any roles you’ve had as a mentor or leader in your company.
- Call the reader to action - ask them to connect with you
Complete your Profile
When adding your education make sure to add all your qualifications and any courses you may have completed. This is your chance to possibly differentiate yourself from others who could be applying for the same job. A particular certification that you have that another candidate doesn’t could possibly put you ahead, so list it & your skills.
Add Keywords into your LinkedIn profile
Another thing to be mindful of when writing up the different sections of your LinkedIn profile is SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), essentially use the right keywords. When recruiters or searchers are looking for a certain type of profile they will search for particular words, skills, and programs. Make sure that your profile contains the words that are relevant to your field of expertise.
Make Good Connections
Connect with thought leaders or key figures in your industry this way you can stay up to date with the current trends and news in your industry. Also, with your colleagues both past and present, this is a great way to grow your network and hear about upcoming events and seminars that may be of interest to you.
Don’t Let It Go Stale
Once you have made your LinkedIn profile stand out, don’t just let it sit there inactive, use it. You have put all this effort into making your profile look the part, now it needs to act the part too. Engage with your connections like, comment, or share posts, articles, that you find interesting.
Your LinkedIn profile is a powerful tool in your job-seeking arsenal, complementing your CV and professional network. By following the expert tips provided, you can ensure your profile not only stands out but also effectively showcases your skills and experiences. For more detailed guidance on crafting a standout CV, visit our blog on how to create a contractor CV.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore exciting opportunities and find your perfect job match on our Jobs Page.
Explore Exciting Opportunities Now