With people being hired through LinkedIn every minute, it is more important than ever to have a profile that stands out. Here, Paul Lewis shares his insider secrets for getting noticed…
1. Pick the perfect picture
First impressions matter on social media, so choosing the right picture for your LinkedIn profile goes a long way. Make sure you are dressed appropriately and that your face is clearly displayed. Add a smile too, to appear approachable and confident.
2. Make more of your headline
Your headline doesn’t have to just be your job title. Could you use it to say a bit more about how you see your role, why you do what you do, and what makes you tick? A good headline not only provides an overview of what you do, but it will also encourage other LinkedIn users to click on your profile.
3. Back up your buzzwords
Buzzwords on LinkedIn mean nothing unless you back them up. Just because you use terms like ‘specialised’, ‘leadership’, ‘focused’, ‘strategic’ or ‘experienced’ to describe yourself doesn’t prove you have those qualities. Try and demonstrate your abilities throughout your profile and in your posts as well as just listing them.
4. Use your summary to explain why you’re useful
Many people overlook the summary when creating their LinkedIn profile. Don’t make this mistake. Your summary is the perfect opportunity for you to bring your page to life. Instead of using the space to only talk about your skills, explain why they matter and the difference you can make to people’s lives. This is what makes a difference.
5. Quality networks over quantity
Having 500 connections establishes you as a networker and influencer on LinkedIn, and the more connections you have, the more likely you are to be seen by businesses. However, it’s no good connecting with just anybody. It’s best only to make quality connections that are relevant to you. Connect with present and past colleagues and prospective employers for the best results.
6. Show off your (relevant) skills
Adding your skills should be the easiest thing to do on LinkedIn – simply scroll through the list of skills and identify those relevant to you. Although, the keyword here is ‘relevant’. While a long list of skills may look great, if you can’t do something to a high standard, it’s best to remove it from your list as you could be tripped up if an employer asks about it.
7. Take a skills assessment
A skills assessment is a voluntary online test that demonstrates your skills and displays a Verified Skills Badge on your profile. These badges can increase your employability factor when recruiters review your profile. The best thing about the skills assessments? You can retake the tests as often as you like before adding them to your profile, so they’re worth the effort.
8. Request recommendations
In the same way that testimonials benefit a business, recommendations can benefit your credibility. Ask your past employers, teachers, or colleagues for recommendations to illustrate their experience of working with you.
9. Follow industry experts
The people you follow on LinkedIn will dictate what you see on your feed. So, follow other EAs to see a range of interesting and relevant content. You can then share this content to your page and add your opinion to demonstrate your expertise in the field.
10. Establish your expertise
Positioning yourself as a pro at your job is probably the single most valuable thing you can do when looking for employment on LinkedIn. You can establish your expertise by commenting on posts, sharing content and creatingyour own original content. These are simple steps that can transform your profile.
