Blog

How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is a critical component of the job-hunting process.

You will lose credibility in today’s world without a great LinkedIn profile. Mastering it will give you a competitive advantage. You are not only creating your brand; you are expanding your network.

It’s a place for companies to find top-notch talent. Human Resource professionals and Recruiters will use LinkedIn as a head-hunting platform, or companies will post their vacant positions on the “recruiter” side.

So, what is LinkedIn, and why is it so important?

LinkedIn is a professional networking site. Think of it like Facebook or Instagram but with fewer pictures of you spending time with friends, posting funny memes, or spam of your friends’ drunken’ moments. Facebook and Instagram focus on your personal life. Whereas LinkedIn is a snapshot of your professional life, in a nutshell, it is a resume that others can view.

LinkedIn is a place to connect with other like-minded professionals. The content and user posts are generally motivational quotes, professional advice, industry-related articles, company announcements, hiring opportunities, and business-related photos.

LinkedIn is also an excellent place for candidates to apply for open jobs. A great benefit to LinkedIn (from a candidate’s perspective) is that if you pay for the upgraded version, LinkedIn will give you the inside scoop on the other applicants when you apply for positions. For example, it will show you how you rank, how many applicants so far, etc. Please take advantage of this so you can apply for jobs strategically.

In a nutshell, if you are not on LinkedIn, you could be missing out!

Below are a couple of quick tips.

1. Your top 3 skills are visible before clicking “See More.” So, make sure your top 3 skills are the most critical and relevant skills you have.
2. LinkedIn allows you to add up to 50 skills to your profile. Add all 50! The more skills, the more likely you will be viewed as a good match.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations. It is a great way to give your professional career creditability.
4. Do not hesitate to contact Human Resource Professionals and Recruiters on LinkedIn. Introduce yourself, but please do not send the generic message LinkedIn auto-populates. Because if you do, your message will be skipped. While reaching out to HR and Recruiters doesn’t guarantee getting the job, you will have a leg up in the hiring process.
5. Don’t be afraid to let your connections know that you are looking for employment (if you are). You never know what door will open. In addition, a LinkedIn setting will alert your connections that you are looking for a new job, and as a result, they may help you find it. Another nice feature of LinkedIn is getting a notification when someone views your profile. And if you do, someone is likely checking you out for a potential job. Wahoo! If you aren’t getting alerts that people are viewing your profile, it is most likely because your page isn’t optimized. If that’s you, please contact NimoHR because we offer a LinkedIn optimization service. Not only can you see who views your profile, but people will be able to tell if you viewed theirs. And if you feel like doing some LinkedIn stalking and don’t want the person to know, there is a setting to help with this. To turn on this setting, the first step is to log in to your account (obviously); then, on the top right-hand corner, hover your image, and a drop-down menu will appear. Click on the “Privacy & Setting” option and click “select what others see when you’ve viewed their profile.”
6. Endorsements are great! The more endorsements, the higher you will rank on search results.
7. Make sure your LinkedIn profile picture is professional and welcoming. Smile 😊 Studies have shown your profile is more likely to get clicked on when you include a profile picture.
8. Make sure the setting “Let Recruiters Know You’re Open to Opportunities” is turned on. This is important because, on the recruiter side of LinkedIn, there is a little tab that allows HR and Recruiters to see who is “open to work.” Another excellent feature that LinkedIn recently introduced is the #OpentoWork feature. It differs from the “Let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities” feature. It will be visible to all if you have #OpentoWork turned on. And you will get this fun green border around your profile picture. Meanwhile, the “Let recruiters know you’re open to work” is only visible to recruiters. When you activate this “#OpenToWork” setting, LinkedIn will not let your connections know you are looking for work; it also knows which recruiters to share your information with based on your job titles pulled from your experience section. Isn’t that cool? So, yeah, it is worth it to let recruiters know you’re open to work.

Contact NimoHR for information on how our LinkedIn resume writers can help you get noticed!

• Share this post: