10 Steps to optimise your LinkedIn profile for your job search
LinkedIn has over a billion members and is growing rapidly. It’s a powerful tool when used well, whether you’re looking for your next job, client, partnership, or investor. Follow these steps to leverage LinkedIn effectively:
1 - Keyword Research: Identify five primary and five secondary keywords related to your desired roles. These should come from job descriptions that interest you. LinkedIn’s ‘Build a resume’ feature can provide keyword suggestions.
2 - Add Skills: Navigate to your profile and add relevant skills: Profile > Add Profile Section > Core > Add Skills. Include skills you've utilised in previous roles and assign them to the appropriate positions.
3 - Professional Photo: Ensure your profile picture is a recent, professional headshot. This photo is your digital first impression, so make sure it reflects your current appearance and presents you as you would appear in a professional setting.
4 - Headline: Your headline is crucial as the first 40 characters are visible to everyone. Consider starting with ‘Currently seeking [insert role type]’ and incorporate your primary keywords.
5 - Strong Summary: Write a compelling summary in the first person (About section). Tell your career story and naturally integrate all ten keywords. Avoid keyword stuffing; focus on a narrative that highlights your expertise and career aspirations.
6 - Detailed Experience: Detail your roles and responsibilities using bullet points for clarity. Summarise your contributions to each job and include relevant keywords to enhance searchability.
7 - Recommendations: Request recommendations from colleagues and supervisors. These endorsements add credibility and provide additional contacts who can vouch for your skills and experience.
8 - Custom URL: Customise your LinkedIn URL for easy sharing: Profile > Public profile & URL.
9 - Let Recruiters Know You Are Looking: Set your profile so that recruiters, who use a specific recruiter version of LinkedIn, can see you are looking—nobody else on LinkedIn will be notified. To do this, go into your profile > Open to > select Recruiters only.
10 - Show What You Know: Post content that demonstrates your expertise and engage in conversations in the comments. LinkedIn is a thriving social media network for professionals, but if you don’t post anything, you remain largely invisible to the vast audience that reads their newsfeed daily.
By following these steps, you can significantly improve your LinkedIn presence and make yourself more attractive to potential employers. Remember, LinkedIn is more than a job board; it’s a platform for building professional relationships and showcasing your expertise.
Follow me on LinkedIn for more tips, and feel free to connect with me (with a covering note) if you have any specific questions I can help you with.