Do you fall under the category of professionals who underutilise LinkedIn as a job search tool? LinkedIn has proven to be the social media platform of choice among a large number of recruiters, organisations, and career professionals today.
Yet, some professionals, in today’s social media-driven ecosystem, make the grievous mistake of simply creating a basic LinkedIn profile without demonstrating the actual value they can provide to potential employers.
If you would like to make sure your LinkedIn profile is a high-converting one, below are five tips you can take advantage of:
#1. Profile & Background Photo
The importance of having a professional LinkedIn profile photo cannot be overemphasised. Your profile photo should be high resolution and show your face entirely, preferably with professional attire on, in front of a single colour background.
While most professionals are ready to invest in a professional profile picture, few realise that the LinkedIn background photo is just as important. Having a good background photo can make a real difference in terms of how LinkedIn visitors perceive you. You want the photo to reflect whatever it is that you are trying to promote on LinkedIn.
#2. Headline & About Section
The headline is one of the most important sections for LinkedIn’s search algorithm. Not only should your headline depict you as a dependable member of your industry, it should also include strategic keywords that help you rank higher in LinkedIn searches.
As for the about section, it is a golden opportunity to add some personality, tell your career story, and bolster your personal brand. What's your point of difference? What's the biggest benefit you can offer to potential employers? What are your core strengths and skills? Answering these questions can help you craft a compelling about section.
#3. Awards & Achievements
Do you have an award for excellence in your field or a recommendation from a previous employer? Including these in your LinkedIn profile will help anyone viewing it know that you are the real deal.
If you don’t have any professional awards or achievements to add, you can also include any non-work related awards you’ve received. This may include awards in sporting or extracurricular activities; just make sure that it is for something socially acceptable. A beer-chugging award won’t cut it here.
#4. Experience Section
Some people end up making their LinkedIn profile an extension of their CV by simply listing their current & past roles and responsibilities in more detail. Most even fail to include their current position on LinkedIn, resulting in them losing out on opportunities to target high-paying roles that may be a perfect fit for their skill set.
When writing your experience section, your number one focus should be on selling yourself, your skills, and the value you provided in your previous places of employment - no matter how little. Include information about any significant accomplishments you had in your current or previous roles, and quantify them whenever possible.
#5. LinkedIn Recommendations
One of the best features of LinkedIn is the ability to receive direct recommendations from anyone connected with you. A written recommendation from a manager or co-worker can significantly boost the credibility of your LinkedIn profile.
We suggest getting as many recommendations as possible on your profile. Many recruiters are often sceptical of candidates' claims, and a well-written recommendation will only serve to clear up some or all of their doubts.
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