Did you know that you can optimize your LinkedIn profile so that you show up in more job searches? If you optimize your own LinkedIn profile you will show up higher on the list of potential candidate matches when recruiters or employers are looking to fill roles. Just by making some small changes to your profile you can see BIG results.
89% of companies use LinkedIn for recruiting. In order for you to be found, you need a solid profile.
Here’s how to get there:
1. Write an expressive headline
Your headline is the sentence that appears just below your name. Rather than just stating your title and company (if you currently have a job), make it a short phrase that provides a description of what your expertise is. This is especially important for those individuals who are not currently employed. For example: Experienced B2B content marketer, seeking position with interactive agency. Yes, it’s bold to state that you are out of work, but understand that your network is willing to help you out if they know you are looking for your next opportunity.
2. Sit Pretty
Make sure you upload a professional photo of yourself, preferably in colour and against a light or neutral background that includes only yourself. No pictures at parties or with friends. Statistics show that a profile with a photo is seven times more likely to be viewed than one without.
3. Add Specialties & Skills
There are two places in your profile where you can list your expertise. One is in the “Specialties” section under your summary and the other is under “Skills” (you can add up to 50 of them). Pay extra attention to skills, because this is one of the ways in which you will be found when someone conducts a search using keywords. Be specific, using terms such as: mobile marketing, IT project management, or user interface design.
With over 150 million members worldwide and growing, LinkedIn is the largest social networking site for business professionals. It’s one of the first places that a prospective employer will look and is widely used by recruiters so it’s important to stand out from the crowd. Use these tips to differentiate yourself, rank higher in searches and increase your likelihood of finding your next great opportunity.
Good luck!
Georgia Nord is a Toronto based recruiter and has been responsible for hiring, developing, and retaining top talent in Marketing Services; specializing in a variety of industry verticals including, Research, CPG Sales & Marketing roles with a strong focus in Food (branded & control label), Category Management & Trade Marketing. IQ PARTNERS is Canada’s leading Executive Search & Recruitment firm. We help companies hire better, hire less and retain more. We specialize in Marketing, Communications, Consumer Goods & Services, Retail, Sales, Technology, Finance, HR & Operations and operate at the mid-to-senior management level.
