4 Tips to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile and Get Noticed by Recruiters
Do you want to increase the likelihood of getting noticed by recruiters through your LinkedIn profile? Here are 4 tips that can help optimize your profile, and potentially assist you in rising up in recruiters’ search results:
Keep your LinkedIn profile up to date with current job, education, and certification history.
Use a professional-looking headshot for your profile picture.
Craft your “About” description strategically to help you stand out among the crowd.
Build your LinkedIn network through connections and contributing content.
Have a little more time? Let’s go a little deeper with each of these:
1-KEEP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE UP TO DATE WITH CURRENT JOB, EDUCATION, AND CERTIFICATION HISTORY.
Did you know that recruiters use LinkedIn to search for talent? It’s true! This is why it is important your profile list information regarding your experience, skills, education, and/or any certifications you have. Without this information listed, recruiters will not know what makes you potentially valuable to their organization. And actually – you may not even show up in their searches. A well-established profile increases the likelihood that you will show up in their search results. Even with my profile not having been set to “open” for recruiter contact, I receive messages occasionally asking me if I’ll consider applying for an opportunity they’re seeking to fill. Naturally, you’ll increase the flow of recruiter contact if your profile is set as open to recruiter contact. The point is – if you don’t put data out there for the algorithms to look for – they won’t find you.
2- USE A PROFESSIONAL-LOOKING HEADSHOT FOR YOUR PROFILE PICTURE.
First impressions are everything – and your profile image is the first view the recruiters will see of you. Make that moment count! If you can budget it, hire a professional photographer. Need some help with choosing a photographer? Review samples of images on their website or social media business page and choose the someone whose style best matches what you hope to see in your headshots. If you cannot budget a professional photographer – not to worry! Everyone has a great camera nowadays in their pocket – aka – your smart phone! Need help to do it yourself? I found some great tips that are taught to photographers for conducting a great headshot session (click HERE). If possible, avoid taking a selfie. I recommend asking a friend to take the photo for you. Another alternative is to use a tripod and a bluetooth remote if you must take the photo on your own.
3-CRAFT YOUR “ABOUT” DESCRIPTION STRATEGICALLY TO HELP YOU STAND OUT AMONG THE CROWD.
Think of your “About” field on LinkedIn as a brief bio where you can tell a compelling story about what you bring to the table. I like to think of it like a cover letter you’re writing to an open audience where you share about how you impact and influence your corner of the professional world. It answers the age old question “why should I hire you?” It’s definitely not a place where you just summarize your resume/experience. If you’re not sure how to write your About, consider looking up professionals whom have comparable experience to you and see how they wrote out their About fields. By peeking at others’ profiles, you could find some inspiration to help get your thoughts rolling on what you’d like to capture for yours. I found this to be helpful when I was building mine.
4-BUILD YOUR LINKEDIN NETWORK THROUGH CONNECTIONS AND CONTRIBUTING CONTENT.
Start building your network and making your mark! You can start by connecting with colleagues, professionals you’ve met at trainings or conferences, prior classmates, and more. Once you’ve made some connections – be a good neighbor! An example of how you can do this is to engage with others through responding to their posts with a “like” or comment. Similarly, you can contribute to your network through sharing valuable content and following professional pages that align with your interests. Also, if you have subject matter expertise for a specific topic, consider submitting content and sharing it via LinkedIn. These are ways you can get your name out there, connect with others, and make some positive contributions.
LinkedIn doesn’t have to be intimidating. Help it work for and with you by making these small, yet mighty enhancements to your profile. Let me know if you see more engagement through these steps! Feel welcome to share this with a friend, too.
You’ve got this!
Amy
