As a professional you will appreciate that LinkedIn is the best platform for showcasing your CV online, and more. Personal branding online is an important part of job hunting in 2017. In this blog we are going to discuss our top LinkedIn profile tips to help you create a winning profile for your job search.
Top LinkedIn Profile Tips to Boost Your Job Search
Follow these top tips to get the most out of LinkedIn.
A Winning Photo
If you have had a professional photo taken at work then that’s the ideal photo to use. If you don’t, then you can take a photo that is especially for your LinkedIn profile. It’s not advisable to use a photo that’s been taken in a social situation because it is unlikely to appear professional.
Take a head and shoulders shot with a plain cream or white background. This will ensure there isn’t a distracting background. Also make sure you look directly at the camera to convey confidence. LinkedIn has recently added profile photo filters to use on the photo you upload, just like Instagram.
Make Your Headline Count
Your headline should be more than just your job title. You have up to 110 characters so you should make the most of this opportunity to showcase your personal brand. Your headline is also the most prominent part of your profile, as it appears just under your name and in search results.
Summary as Your Story
The summary section is your chance to expand on your headline. A lot of job seekers do not take the time to fill in this section, however, doing so will differentiate you from the crowd.
Using Keywords
Using keywords in your profile allows recruiters to be able to find you more easily. Keywords you need to scatter through out your profile are variations of job titles you’d like to be hired for. For example, P.A., Personal Assistant, P.A. to CEO. Think creatively about how a recruiter is going to search for a candidate such as you.
Gaining Recommendations
Asking colleagues for a review of the work you do is going to add weight to your profile. Recommendations on LinkedIn are verified as they show the author of the recommendation, and are the best way to add credibility to your profile. Don’t forget to ask previous colleagues for a review so you can fill up your recommendations section.
Investing in Articles
If you want to be seen as a thought leader in your field, then you can use the articles section to showcase your expertise. The articles you write should be original and well thought-out. This is going to take a bit of time to do, but it is well worth doing if you are aiming high in your career. This section is the best way to stand out from the crowd, as few professionals invest the time.
Utilise Media to Stand Out
On the experience section of your LinkedIn profile, you’re able to upload media. You can list your previous job roles and descriptions but you can also include images, videos and links to blog posts you have written. This is your chance to let your profile really shine! Use media to your advantage, as the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Investing time into following these top LinkedIn profile tips will really pay off when searching for your next career step. Our bonus tip: let others read your updated profile and give their feedback; getting a second opinion can be extremely useful.
Your next step? Contact our recruitment agency to let us find a role that will not only match your expectations, but exceed them.
Contact 2i Recruit