Barbara Potrč, 10. 5. 2022
We all know successful job hunting requires having a LinkedIn profile that’s current and optimized. It’s not enough to simply exist on LinkedIn.
Your goal is to create a profile that attracts attention, says the right things, and is a catalyst to connecting you with people who can help you. Your goal is to create a profile that attracts attention, says the right things, and is a catalyst to connecting you with people who can help you. LinkedIn can literally get your name in front of thousands of professionals in your industry. If you’re looking for a job, that’s huge!
Here are 10 ways you can make your LinkedIn profile stand out:
1. Add a headshot
It’s mind-boggling how many LinkedIn profiles don’t have a headshot, which is the equivalent of wearing a paper bag on your head at an industry tradeshow. Put a face to your name and add a good profile picture, because your profile picture is the first impression people will get of you.
2. Create an eye-catching headline
Your headline is right below your name and therefore the first thing your profile visitors will read. LinkedIn’s default settings will create your headline with your current position, but you can edit it to whatever you want. Envision the text of a billboard advertisement for you and what you do. Instead of just listing your job title, mention your specialty and how you benefited your company or customers.
3. Craft an interesting summary
Your LinkedIn summary is your opportunity to tell your career story with up to 2,000 characters. Spend some time crafting your story in a way that makes the reader say to themselves, I got to meet this person! Keep in mind attention spans are short so keep your summary in the 1,000 – 1,250 characters range. Keywords here are crucial! Use words strongly connected to your industry, while painting a picture of who you are as a professional.
4. Highlight your experience
You can do much better than merely cutting and pasting your resume onto your LinkedIn profile. Include past jobs you deem relevant to where you want your career to go and use three to five exciting and impressive bullet points for each job.
5. Use visual media
Like on Twitter and Facebook, you can add a background banner photo on LinkedIn. Your LinkedIn background banner photo should reinforce who you are and visually support your profile’s written portions.
6. Customize your URL
Your LinkedIn URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the web address for your profile. The default URL will have your name and some random numbers and letters. Customizing your profile URL makes your profile search engine friendly- therefore, you’re easier to find. Customized URLs also invite the person searching to make some positive assumptions about you.
7. Make connections
The more connections you have increases the likelihood of being found when hiring managers and recruiters, looking for potential candidates with your background, search on LinkedIn. At the very least, you should aim to get over 500 connections since getting to that number implies you’re a player on LinkedIn.
8. Ask for recommendations and skill endorsements
This is vital to making your profile stand out! Employers want to know what others think of your work. When asking for a recommendation, or skill endorsement, think of all the people you’ve worked the past. Don’t just think of your past bosses; also think of colleagues, vendors, customers — anyone who can vouch for your work and professionalism.
9. Keep your profile active
LinkedIn is not simply an online resume — it’s a networking social media site. To get the most out of LinkedIn, you need to be constantly active so write posts and articles and like and share posts that resonate with you.
10. Check your LinkedIn profile strength
It’s in LinkedIn’s interest that you’re successful using their platform. Therefore, they’ve created a ‘Profile Strength Meter’ to gauge how robust your profile is. Basically, this gauge tells you the completion level of your profile.
Jobseekers need to make the most of their profile to stand out in a sea of candidates, sell their skills, and validate their accomplishments. Make it easy for the reader to get a feel for who you are professionally.
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