With over 800 million users on LinkedIn, it’s easy to see why so many professionals are using the social media platform to find jobs, potential clients and business partnerships. With its clean interface and intuitive design, it’s almost too easy to create a profile and forget about it.
It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle on LinkedIn if you don’t stand out from the crowd. In order to make your profile more appealing, consider these five tips that will help you create an irresistible LinkedIn profile that gets noticed by employers and recruiters alike.
1) Add your professional headshot
Nothing screams put together like a professional headshot. It tells recruiters you’re ready for their hiring process, and that your profile should be included in every stack of resumes they receive. If you haven’t already, upload a professional headshot—it will help set you apart from all other candidates.
2) Optimize your headline
Your headline is a chance to grab attention, so make it count. In addition to telling people what you do, why you’re awesome and what value you bring, include keywords that will help people find your profile.
3) Use action verbs
The first step to making your profile effective is including powerful verbs. A person who is looking for someone just like you will only skim through your profile, so you need to include words that stand out and make a point. Think about how you want people to perceive you and then select a few action verbs that capture your essence.
4) Show off what you've done
Just like your résumé, make sure that you include a professional summary of your skills, experience and areas of expertise. Make it clear what you can do for employers—and for potential clients and business partners. If you’re in business for yourself, highlight any awards or recognition that you have received over time.
5) Keep it up-to-date
People will be paying a lot of attention to your profile, so it’s important that you keep it up-to-date. This means not only posting a new picture and summary every few months, but making sure your resume is always accurate. As your career progresses, make sure you continually update your summary with all of your current job titles and promotions as well as any certifications or licenses that you may have received since setting up your profile.
The Bottom Line
Creating a LinkedIn profile should be part of every job-seeking strategy, as it's one of the most important tools you can use to market yourself and get noticed by recruiters. Make sure you're taking full advantage of this tool by following these five tips to create an irresistible LinkedIn profile that will give you the edge in your job search.