Your LinkedIn profile is more than just a list of contacts down the right side of the page. Your social media presence on this website can be a vital tool for recruiters to find job candidates. Companies use online sources of information from job seekers to vet candidates more quickly and easily to save time. Make your profile one of the great ones with these tips.
The Muse explains several tips to rock your LinkedIn profile to get noticed by staffers and recruiters. The best overall advice revolves around filling out your profile as completely as possible. Make sure your information is accurate, from the spelling of your last name to past job experience. The website measures the completeness of your information so you know when you're done.
Choose a great, professionally done photograph. This way, companies put a face to a name. A photograph on your LinkedIn profile also shows, in a small way, your commitment to take extra steps to do things right. Do not just post a selfie from your smartphone in this spot. Try to show an action shot with you on the phone, among a group of people or standing at a booth during a trade show. An action shot stands out from millions of head shots. Look sharp, friendly and professional. Use other people's profiles, especially individuals within your industry, as guides.
Get creative with your headline because that space doesn't have to be your current job title. Instead, describe your most intrinsic value, your life goal or some keywords that set you apart from the competition.
Find job descriptions for positions that interest you, and incorporate main keywords into your LinkedIn profile. This step becomes vitally important when you consider keyword search programs find candidates with the same type of verbiage in the posted job description.
Your summary is the first series of sentences a recruiter sees on the page, so make sure you create three to five dynamite, short paragraphs. Use numbers and statistics throughout the piece, have bullet points halfway down the summary, and be warm and welcoming with your tone. Add a multimedia file to show you know how to use the online resource in conjunction with other types of computer programs.
Treat your LinkedIn profile like an actual resume. Fill in the current employer blank, even if you don't have one. List relevant accomplishments, and have multimedia within your work experiences blanks. Fill in as many facets of your skills as possible because recruiters like to see complete packages.
Don't neglect your network. Invite current and former colleagues you trust to become part of your cadre of LinkedIn connections. Join groups, help other users by answering questions, and post your thoughts within the blog section. You may even find a few contacts from a company that may hire you. Personalize your invitations as much as possible, and respond to invitations and messages promptly, so your network knows who you are when someone asks them about you.
Your LinkedIn profile creates a valuable asset that connects job seekers to job recruiters. Like any great tool, keep it sharp, useful and handy regularly to show prospective employers you are the right person for the job.
Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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