Many job seekers already have a LinkedIn page because they heard it was a great way for employers to find them. It is. But, just copying and pasting your resume onto your profile is not going to impress hiring managers.
Here are five ways to step up your profile and make it stand out to potential employers:
Post a Professional Photo
LinkedIn data proves that profiles with photos receive 21 times more views and nine times more connection requests. You may already have a profile photo, but a best practice is to post a professional headshot – or something close to it. Unfortunately, we’ve seen a lot of photos taken at the beach where someone is wearing a swimsuit, which – when cropped to just a head and shoulders – can make them appear to be naked. That is not the first impression you want to make.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Take or crop the photo to just your head and shoulders, facing forward
- Smile
- Make eye contact with the camera
- Choose a professional shirt or top
- Take the photo in a room with natural light, if possible
- Take the photo against a backdrop that’s not too distracting
Complete Your Profile
LinkedIn encourages users to update their profiles in an effort to stand out from the pack. Data released from LinkedIn says:
- Those who add more than five skills to a profile are 27 times more likely to be discovered in searches by hiring managers.
- If you have a current job and it is included on your profile, you are 16 times more likely to show up in recruiting searches.
- By including the city where you live in your profile, it increases your search volume by 23 times.
Tell a Story!
Stories often bring a greater understanding versus a static list of facts. People, including recruiters, are emotive thinkers, and a good story can make you memorable. Think about a time when your top skills made a positive impact at your current or former job and write that story. Or, reflect on what inspired you as a student. Did you receive a gift that inspired your career path? Employers love that stuff.
Share Relevant Updates
Your LinkedIn profile should not be “set it and forget it.” By sharing updates on topics related to your field, you show that you have a positive interest in your field. You can also become active in LinkedIn groups that are relevant to your line of work. Liking and sharing articles and posting updates shows you are active and are serious about being recognized. It’s pretty easy for recruiters and hiring managers to see who is active on the platform.
Other Social Media Profiles
We’ve mentioned this before in prior blog posts, but you should maintain a degree of professionalism on all of your social media channels. For example, a hiring manager really likes your LinkedIn profile, so they find your Facebook page. The top post is a hazy photo with the caption, “Hungover again.” That manager is not likely to take you seriously for a job.
These are all relatively simple and fast ways you can make yourself more likely to be found by recruiters. If you have any questions about LinkedIn or your online profiles, your Techneeds recruiter can assist. We can also help you audit your public profiles to present the best picture to hiring managers.