7 Easy Tips for Creating a Great LinkedIn Profile
Social media platforms are crucial (if often overlooked) tools which can help you find your dream job in today’s rapidly changing and diverse job market. LinkedIn in particular is exceptionally important as most hiring managers will review your profile and make a quick decision about your suitability on the spot if your resume catches their eye.
If you should find yourself with some time on your hands right now, it is an excellent opportunity for you to ensure this platform is showcasing your talents in the best possible way. I strongly encourage you to dedicate real time and effort to perfect this profile. If you are looking for a second opinion, I would be more than happy to take a quick look and provide some feedback if you feel that would be helpful. Here are a few quick suggestions to help improve your profile, if you are serious about your job search!
1. Choose the right photograph
Make sure you have a simple, professional looking photograph that is visible to hiring managers. Some studies say that profiles with photos are 11x more likely to be viewed. Do check your visibility settings as many of my clients thought their photos were publicly visible but were not! While a classic headshot is best, ideally the photo will show a bit of your personality, and it must be current. It is not necessary that it be taken by a professional but do take time to ensure that it is clear, bright and polished and that you are wearing clothes that you would wear to work. For more great tips, check out this link.
2. Create a headline that entices your intended market
Spend some time creating an interesting and compelling headline that tells the world who you are, what your unique offering is and why you are someone worth connecting with. If this is a daunting task, you may find it very helpful to review other profiles for suggestions – there are many great articles out there to assist with this process as well.
3. Write a particularly strong “About” summary
Start strong, consider that every word matters, optimize search words, add context to your career story and definitely inject your personality where possible. Edit and revise carefully and have this proofread by an advisor prior to posting. For some great examples, see this article.
3. Tell the world you are open to great opportunities
LinkedIn offers the ability to communicate the fact that you are interested in new opportunities in several ways. This can be done by stating this outright in your headline (i.e. Experienced, people-oriented sales manager seeking new opportunities) or, alternatively, in a more confidential way to privately notify a wide network of recruiters through a specific setting on your profile. In this case, the intention is to signal your job search to interested parties while avoiding notifying those recruiters at your own firm or affiliated recruiters (Note: Do consider the consequences of this type of advertising as no system is foolproof). Finally, do ensure that you have made your profile public.
4. Use your profile to help develop your personal brand
Consider changing the background on your profile from the basic blue to something suited to your industry, personality or work-related interests. Seek opinions from trusted advisors on your choices. Always err on the conservative side (unless you are in a very creative field) and avoid any political, religious or other contentious or off-putting posts or statements. Consider adding in interesting and relevant volunteer work and accomplishments that help the reader understand why you might be a great for their role.
5. Tidy up your data
Always keep your status current and ensure there are NO errors or inconsistencies with your resume. Take time to consider capitalization and punctuation. I can’t tell you how many candidates are screened out of interesting searches due to these types of errors that could have been simply corrected. Verify that your specified location and industry are still accurate.
6. Get a few great testimonials
A few strong endorsements can go a long way to help open up doors. The LinkedIn program has a pretty simple process to assist with the process of obtaining brief testimonials from past or current colleagues, clients and managers. Know that even the most well-intended people may struggle to find the time to write these types of endorsements so look for tips and tricks on how to make this as easy as possible for your reference source.
7. Network, network, network
Once you have perfected your profile, the next step is to reach out to your current contact list and key industry players to generate meaningful connections. This topic is a more complex one to be covered in a subsequent piece. Always be mindful of how you go about this outreach but know that this is your eventual goal. The strength of your network improves the perception of your value for many positions, particularly if you are seeking work in sales, communications or public relations type roles. In the meantime, here are some great “Dos & Don’ts” to consider.