Finding and landing a job is more important than ever as we are amid the global pandemic.
And one of the best ways to do this is via LinkedIn, the professional networking platform that lets its members create business connections, hunt for jobs, and find potential clients.
The site also lets its users build and engage with their professional networks, access shared knowledge findings, and obtain new business opportunities.
Also, LinkedIn has mobile applications across various platforms and languages such as iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia Asha, and more.
LinkedIn offers premium subscriptions for general professionals to manage their professional identities, too.
Here are some helpful LinkedIn profile tips for job seekers that might be of assistance when trying to land your dream job.
Make Your Profile Standout
The more complete you make your profile, the better the odds that recruiters and employers will find you. It’s also important after a recruiter found you and decided to click on your profile to show your skills, previous jobs, and what others think about you. Do fill out all sections of your profile. LinkedIn measures the “completeness” of your profile while you do this as well as gives suggestions.
Get a Custom URL
It’s easier to publicize your profile with a customized URL liked linkedin.com/yourname), instead of a combo of numbers, LinkedIn automatically assigns you those when you sign up. On the Edit Profile screen, at the bottom of the gray window that shows your basic info, you’ll see a Public Profile URL. Click “Edit” next to the URL and specify what want your address to be. When finished, click Set Custom URL.
Pick a Good Photo
Choose a clear, friendly, and professional image. Look around at what the people in your target company, industry sector, or business level have posted if you don’t know.
Write a Strong Headline
Use the "headline" section on LinkedIn to showcase your specialty and what your value is. The more specific what sets you apart from others can work in your favor.
Use Target Job Descriptions
Explore job descriptions of the positions you’re seeking, and place them in a word cloud tool like Wordle. These words might be what recruiters are hunting for when they’re looking to hire quality people. Use those words and phrases throughout your summary along with your experience.
Utilize Numbers Front and Center
Use stats like how many people you have helped in your jobs, as well as any key numbers and data that relates to you that will make you shine in the eyes of employers.
Be Welcoming
First impressions do count sometimes so make yourself sound professional and qualified but not pretentious. Be warm, welcoming, and approachable.
Avoid Buzzwords and Clichés
Stay away from the mundane like responsible, creative, driven, and innovative. These are overused buzzwords that you should steer far away from and come up with better terms to describe you and your brand.
Make Your Profile Sound Like Your Resume
Make sure your experience section is clean, and not one big run-on paragraph but with bullet points describing what you did, how well you did it, and who is impacted.
Use First Person
While it’s said you shouldn’t use the first person on your resume, you can on LinkedIn to make it more personable and read like you are saying it to your audience and recruiters directly.
Highlight Achievements
Paint yourself as a high performer in your summary and experience section by using action words, accomplishments, sharing times you’ve been promoted or been hand-selected for certain projects.
Add Work Experiences
Add your company websites, projects you’ve worked on, articles you’ve written, or anything else that can provide a better look at your work.
Showcase Projects, Volunteer Experiences
Do you speak a foreign language? Have a project management certification? Volunteer for various non-profits? Adding these “additional” profile features (listed on the left when you’re editing your profile) is a fine way to showcase your special skills and experiences.
Manage Endorsements
Endorsements can be a terrific way to show skill sets — if your profile isn’t encumbered with too many to portray the right message. Keep your skill sets updated and as you move from careers, develop new skills, or perform other responsibilities, removed outdated skills from your profile. Add the newer skills and accomplishments so when connections land on your LinkedIn profile, they’ll see your most current skills.
Update Status
It's possible to update your LinkedIn status when you want to do so and as often as you can. Share the article you wrote and what promotions yo just earned once a week. Your network will see these updates, in their news feeds and in the weekly LinkedIn network updates emails.
Let People Find You
Make sure you add your email address, blog, Twitter, or wherever you want to be found to the contact information section of your resume.
In the end, LinkedIn can be a valuable tool when hunting for a new job or career during this unusual employment climate.
