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The Right Profile

The Right Profile

over 3 years ago

Webalex

The Right Profile

Searching for a new job is a daunting task at the best of times, and now more than ever with there being fewer roles available and competition high for each role, it is so important that your LinkedIn profile is up to date and stands out.

Below I have listed some simple and easy steps for you to do to ensure your LinkedIn profile stands out. The key things I would suggest you ensure are correct are that you have a professional-looking current picture and your most recent role is on there. If you are actively looking for a new opportunity, then ensure you have your setting marked to that so prospective employers and agencies know you are open to new opportunities.

   

      Add Your Head Shot Photo

  • The simplest thing you can do to upgrade your LinkedIn profile is to put a face to your name and add a profile picture and a good one at that. Be creative if that fits with what you do or who you are but remember that this is the first impression people will get from your page. If you don't have a professional headshot to use, it's worth the investment. Here at TRP Recruitment, we have used a fantastic photographer http://www.alexandraphotography.co.uk/

    With the huge numbers of people on LinkedIn, those without a photo are easily pushed aside.

 

Your Contact Details

  • Don’t forget to add your telephone number and email which will allow recruiters and prospective employees to call you directly.

 

Create an Eye-catching Headline

  • Your headline is positioned right below your name on your LinkedIn profile and will be the first thing prospective employers and recruiters read. The default settings will fill this in with your current position, but it can be whatever you want. You have 120 characters to work with, so why not write something that stands out. Think of it as a small billboard advertisement for you and what you do. Instead of just listing your job title, mention your specialty and how you benefit your company or customers. Don't forget to keep your target audience in mind.

 

Make Your Summary Interesting

  • Your LinkedIn summary gives you the opportunity to tell your story. Your summary can be a longer form of your headline; here you have 2,000 characters to work with so you can dive in a little deeper. Don't just focus on your past experience but on what you do well and what you can bring to a prospective employer. Keep in mind that keywords are crucial here — use words that you want to be strongly connected to in your field. Attention spans are short these days, so don't use up all of those 2,000 characters. Instead, keep it to less than half of that. Be creative and paint a picture of who you really are as a professional.

 

Use Visual Media

  • Did you know that you can add a background photo/cover photo on LinkedIn just like on Twitter and Facebook? It's simple to do and it makes your LinkedIn profile stand out, so pick a theme that speaks to your profession or personality. LinkedIn also allows you to connect other media to your profile like YouTube videos, infographics. Get creative with relevant media and make your page jump off the screen and demand attention.

 

       Start Making Connections

  • It seems obvious, but it can be easy to forget sometimes. You need to keep growing your connections as you meet people because of LinkedIn's system of first, second, and third-degree connections; having a lot of connections helps keep you visible to others. While you can connect with people you don't know, it's preferable to connect with individuals whom you know personally, have worked with, or met in a professional capacity. If you do decide to connect with individuals you haven't met, or don't have a direct connection to, send a note with your request explaining who you are why you'd like to connect.

 

Ask for Recommendations

  • This is a big one. Think of people that you've developed a good working relationship with in the past. When you edit your profile, there is a link to click that says Ask for Recommendations. Click on it. You choose what you'd like to be recommended for and can choose a list of people from your connections. Then, send it out and hope you get some great feedback.

Recommendations are key to making your Linkedin profile stand out. Employers want to know that others have approved of your work. Help your karma out and write recommendations for some of your connections in return.