Article
Making LinkedIn Work Harder for You
If you are yet to create a LinkedIn profile consider creating one and if it’s incomplete, update it. LinkedIn has become a resource for recruiters, employers and peers who want to learn more about you professionally. Statistics on LinkedIn from omnicoreagency.com state there are currently in excess of 600 million users on LinkedIn, and every second 2 new members join. With these compelling statistics how can you make LinkedIn work harder for you?
Complete your profile
The summary is usually one of the first pieces of information to be read and is an opportunity for you to share content to engage the reader. You can quickly distinguish yourself within the market by creating a powerful summary. When completed correctly your profile should assist the reader in understanding who you are, what you do and what you have done. When filling out the experience and education sections write short sharp sentences and include quantifiable information to highlight successes.
Use keywords
Use keywords throughout your profile. Recruiters use Boolean search tools, by using keywords it your profile it helps them find you. What keywords should you use? Think about search terms someone might use to find you these could be specific to your job and or industry.
Profile picture
Upload a professional photo of yourself. According to LinkedIn, LinkedIn profiles that include a photo receive 21 times more profile views.
Headline
Let your creativity shine. Think about your value proposition and use this section as an opportunity to highlight this.
Skills & Endorsements
You can select up to 50 skills on your LinkedIn profile. According to venturebeat.com members with a minimum of 5 skills receive 17 times more profile views. Therefore, it’s important that you add in your skills so that you can be endorsed for them. Position your top skills first, so that they are visible without having to expand the section, then the reader can see your strengths/specialisation.
Recommendations
A recommendation from someone who can vouch for you and your skill set assists with building your credibility.
Proof
Proof-read your profile to check spelling and grammar and to make sure that it reads well.
Make connections
Connecting with other industry professionals will assist in keeping you informed on what is happening within your industry. It can also increase the likelihood of learning about new job opportunities in your chosen field
Personalise your URL
There is a feature on LinkedIn where you can customise your profile URL. Follow these steps:
Go to your profile > Edit > Manage public profile settings > customise your profile URL.
Groups, discussions and articles
Be active. Join relevant industry groups and conversations on LinkedIn. There is also the opportunity to add value by asking and responding to questions, sharing links to news articles and posting any other relevant content. By posting relevant content and sharing educated opinions, this demonstrates your commitment to your industry and builds credibility.
