One of the best ways to help your job search is to optimize your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is one of the top places we find candidates and is one of the best places to be noticed by hiring managers and recruiters.
You can improve your LinkedIn profile by:
Having an updated and professional headshot
Your profile picture is one of the first things people notice on your LinkedIn profile. Make sure you dressed appropriately, you’re the only person in the picture, and that the picture is up to date. Cell phone cameras have improved so much that anyone should be able to take a quality headshot.
Have a clear and specific headline
Your headline is the best way to get people to click on your LinkedIn profile. It should accurately describe what you do and should be short and direct. Think of your headline as your first impression when virtually meeting a hiring manager or recruiter.
Fill out your profile
Your profile is where you give recruiters the opportunity to get to know you a little more personally. If written well, you can connect the dots of your experience to tell a cohesive story about who you are as a professional. Think of this section as your digital elevator pitch—it should include all important information but shouldn’t be too long.
Make sure all information is correct and up to date
Add descriptions for all your jobs, even if it’s only a sentence or two. Don’t assume that everyone will know what a job entails, and the more information you provide, the more searches you will come up in.
Add Skills
Add relevant skills to the skills section of your LinkedIn profile. One of the many ways we search LinkedIn for candidates is by specific skills. Filling out this section will allow more recruiters to find you for new opportunities!
Proofread and Spellcheck
While LinkedIn is a form of social media, it is a professional platform. You should be proofreading your LinkedIn profile as closely as your resume. It can also help to have someone else look it over for you who is in a different industry so they can tell you if everything makes sense!
Check your connection settings
LinkedIn allows you to decide if or who can connect with you, send you a message, or even see your profile. While we recommend everyone keep their settings open, it is especially important if you are actively job searching! We have seen many people list that they are open to work, but then they have their settings set so that we can’t send them a message or an InMail (messages LinkedIn allows recruiters to use). Check your settings to make sure you are open to all potential opportunities.
After updating your LinkedIn profile, you can further boost your visibility and credibility by expanding your network and being active. Take time each day or week to connect with new people, like and comment on posts, or post things yourself. The more often you are on LinkedIn, you are also more likely to see messages from recruiters or hiring managers as you get them, instead of days, weeks, or even months later. Don’t lose out on potential opportunities because you didn’t see the message in time!
