Social media is at the core of the modern job hunt, and LinkedIn stands as a mainstay for job seekers and recruiters alike. If you want to bump up your job offers, you need to give your LinkedIn page the attention it deserves. Follow these five expert tips to build a page that catches the interest of potential employers.
1. Network
Although not an element of your LinkedIn page itself, networking with like-minded professionals carries over to your profile as recruiters and potential employers see they have mutual connections with you, creating a feeling of connectedness. To start networking, join groups that match your target audience to build a reputation with members of your industry. Don't be afraid to reach out to old contacts or business professionals you don't know, and take advantage of LinkedIn's Connected app to find the best times to reach out to your contacts.
2. Craft an Engaging Profile Summary
Rather than just listing your job experience, accomplishments and education, your profile history should include strong verbs and phrases that grab the reader's attention, just like the first words of a book. Emphasize your top five strengths several times throughout your profile, and link to past projects from previous jobs, if possible.
3. Use a Professional Profile Picture
A professional profile picture with a clear view of your face is one of the essential elements of a gripping LinkedIn page. Take a photo with a white or neutral background, and wear professional clothing that you would don during a normal day at work. When in doubt, take a well-lighted head shot against a white wall, and don't forget to smile for a friendly touch. Whatever picture you use, be sure to have a profile picture up at all times. A profile with a blank picture is a red flag to potential employers that your LinkedIn page may not be legitimate.
4. Seek Endorsements
LinkedIn endorsements give credibility to your claims, so don't hesitate to ask past co-workers and other contacts to endorse your skills. You want the highest number of your endorsements counted toward your biggest strengths. For this reason, be willing to reject or delete endorsements for nonessential skills, which can take attention away from the skills you want to put on display.
5. Use a Custom URL
Potential employers and recruiters can more easily share your LinkedIn page if it has an appropriate custom URL rather than a sequence of random characters. If possible, the custom portion of the URL should be your first and last name. If it is already taken, consider inserting your middle initial or middle name in the URL, or place a single number at the end. Avoid using the current year, as this quickly becomes outdated, and never use a URL that could be interpreted as unprofessional.
Once you've tweaked your LinkedIn page, access the site often to respond to any messages or requests in a timely manner. Finally, update your page on a regular basis to make the most of your job hunt.
Photo courtesy of Renjith Krishnan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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