How LinkedIn-savvy would you say you are? Whether you use the networking platform frequently or not, you likely have a profile and understand its importance in the world of jobs. 3 billion employers, job seekers, human resources executives, recruiters and networkers use LinkedIn regularly, which means that if you’re not using it, it’s time to get on board. Here are the best LinkedIn tips on making your profile look its best to potential employers. Trust us on this one — you’ll want to pay attention.
1. Keep your information straightforward and easy to read.
Amy Ryan, the principal consultant and owner for AJR Consulting with 20-year tenure in the human resources space, told Swirled that a no-nonsense profile will help you get noticed. “Much like a resume, a LinkedIn page that is easy to read is essential,” she explained. “Not too much detail to overload, yet enough to capture the essence of the skill, experience or knowledge you bring. Most recruiters will spend 15 to 20 seconds on a page, scanning the information quickly to determine if a deeper look is warranted, so highlight what’s important.”
2. Only use professional profile photos.
Flickr / Illusive Photography
Even though your resume, job applications and cover letters don’t typically include professional photos, LinkedIn is much different. LinkedIn profiles with professional head-shots get 14 times more views than those that have non-professional images. In general, a profile with a photo gets 21 times more profile views and 36 times more messages overall, so at minimum, you should include a picture of yourself.
If you can, use a professional photo, meaning a clear shot of you and no one else — not pets, not significant others, not even colleagues — with a clear background. “Have a friend take it rather than a selfie, use a neutral backdrop and crop [the photo] to be a head/shoulder shot,” Ryan said. “This is not the place to put the cute pic from your last vacation — save that for Insta.” If you’re not sure what to look for in a great LinkedIn profile photo, the platform offers some pretty killer tips and tricks.
3. Using the right keywords is crucial.
Recruiters, human resources professionals and potential employers often search for candidates through keywords. For example, a video production company might search the keywords “video,” “video producer,” “producer” or “video editor.” How you incorporate important keywords is fairly easy, Larry Kim, founder and CTO of WordStream, told Inc., “Identify the words you want to be found for when people use LinkedIn search and use those keywords in your headline, summary and profile.”
4. Link to your work, if applicable.
If at all possible, you want to not only tell profile viewers about your accomplishments and prior experience, but you want to show them your work as well. Ryan suggests linking any online work you’ve done to your LinkedIn page to give viewers a more expansive look at your professional career. “If you’re a writer, link to relevant articles you have posted,” she says. “If the job requires speaking, perhaps [use] a YouTube video of a recent presentation,” Ryan said. “Recruiters can learn more about you from simply going to your LinkedIn page, like a one-stop shop.”
LinkedIn doesn’t have to be a second-hand digital resume. It’s so much more than that, and it can significantly help you get discovered and in your own job search. It’s great for networking too, and even just in building your personal brand. All you need to do is create a winning profile.
