Whether you are looking for a job or want to find the perfect employee to add to your team, a LinkedIn profile goes a long way to connect you to the right people. What gives LinkedIn uniqueness is the fact that you can add a touch of personality. Also, communication is a breeze on the platform, thanks to the provision for sending and receiving direct messages in your inbox.
Relevant: 10 vital LinkedIn InMail tips to make lasting impressions on talent
Most recruiters have shifted their hunting ground to Linkedin, and as long as you can stand out from the sea of job seekers, it is just a matter of time before you meet the connection you have been yearning for. To get the best out of the platform, we have compiled a list of recommended LinkedIn profile tips from seasoned recruiters to give you a headstart.
1. A professional profile picture
A perfect first impression is a powerful tool for your connection journey. You can take a professional photo right at your home, with a mobile phone. Clear pictures that are free from background distractions easily make the cut with most recruiters.
Important considerations for your picture
As is with professional discourses, your picture needs to meet some criteria to help your profile stand out. Here are a few ways to achieve this:
- Clear headshot
Your photo needs to clearly capture your face and fit on the space provided on the platform.
- Appropriate attire
Depending on your job or target audience, find an attire that best suits your work and your personality.
- Eye contact
It is difficult to win trust when you conceal your eyes or look away from the audience. Avoid sunglasses and ensure the camera captures your eyes directly.
- Wear a smile
Smiles melt the hearts of the toughest people and are a reliable connection tool, even in professional spaces.
2. Publicly visible profile
LinkedIn provides users with enough flexibility to either opt for a private profile or use a public one. Some people opt for private profiles for various reasons, including evading former colleagues or employers' privy eyes. However, if you are looking for connections, you need to make your profile public. This way, recruiters and interested parties can easily find you.
How to make your profile visible
To make your profile public, here are the steps to follow:
- Log in to your LinkedIn profile.
- Select "Settings and Privacy" under the "Me" tab.
- Go to your profile's "Visibility."
- A list of items on your profile appears for you to make private or public.
- Once you make the changes, go to "View Profile" under the "Me" tab to see how the public sees you.
3. Passion statement
While looking at LinkedIn profile tips, many users tend to underestimate the difference a passionate statement can make in your profile. A passion statement gives the public a glimpse into your personality and is an added advantage in the highly competitive employment scene.
Recruiters want to hire a qualified person but will be on the lookout for candidates who clearly love what they do. Your passion statement does not have to be lengthy. A few paragraphs, consisting of about three sentences, to highlight your work experience and what you love most about the job will suffice.
Of course, don’t forget to check your grammar and punctuation. Show employers that you exerted effort in your profile and took care of even the smallest details.
4. Relevant keywords
Understanding LinkedIn's algorithm is key to high visibility on the network. Finding the most useful keywords to incorporate into your profile greatly enhances your visibility on the platform's search engine. For instance, if you offer writing services like EssayService, it helps to be specific on the type of essays, whether you can write on any subject or the specific subjects for potential clients to find you quickly.
It is important to include your current job title, for example, content writer, financial advisor, dental surgeon, or real estate agent, since the easiest way for people who need your services to find you is using job titles. To get an idea of what keywords to use on your profile, you can look at the profiles of users who offer similar services. Once you have incorporated the right keywords, monitor your metrics. If the profile views gradually increase, you are on the right track.
5. Skills & endorsements
Highlighting your most relevant skills is an effective way of letting other users know your abilities at a glance. The beautiful thing about LinkedIn is that you can list up to 50 different skills on your profile. Remember that the skills most relevant to your career should rank at the top of the list. Once you are done with the skills, you can try out some of LinkedIn's skills assessments and add the validation to your profile for higher credibility.
To make your skills even more visible, consider asking for endorsements from your former colleagues, classmates, or even bosses. While at it, remember to return the favor and endorse your acquaintances' skills for better relationships on the platform.
6. Relevant connections
While having connections on LinkedIn is great, finding relevant connections is critical. You do not just want random connections that do little to your career. For instance, it makes sense for content writers to connect with other writers on the network and share insights and tips to improve their service.
If you are looking for a job in a certain industry, it helps to find out the major players, recruiters, professional bodies, and other connections that could help you find employment quickly.
Related reading: find 12 recruitment and HR experts to follow on LinkedIn today
7. Relevant recommendations
Among all LinkedIn profile tips, receiving relevant recommendations is among the most effective. This is because they serve to market your skills to potential clients and greatly boost your credibility to anyone who might look up your profile.
Receiving recommendations from former bosses, clients, or colleagues is also a pointer to a great working relationship with you, which is a plus. Nevertheless, you will need to ask your connections for recommendations. Most people would be glad to help a former acquaintance in any way, and giving a recommendation is a simple yet meaningful way to do this.
Conclusion
Unlike in the past, most recruitment processes, including talent searching and interviews, are done online. Currently, LinkedIn is the most preferred platform by recruiters, for the simple fact that there is an abundance of talent from any part of the world.
These LinkedIn profile tips are timely and essential for anyone looking for better prospects and meaningful career connections.
