One of the most critical things to invest time in when looking for a job is your LinkedIn profile. It works as your online resume or portfolio that continues to benefit you even when you sleep.
Creating a powerful LinkedIn profile is a great way to build and boost your personal brand. Many employers check the site for possible candidates, so it’s crucial to have an optimized presence on this platform.
If you need help creating a robust LinkedIn profile to upgrade your chances of landing a job, check out the tips below.
Include a compelling summary
Tailor your summary by telling your story in the most captivating way. With about three to five sentences to work with, use this section to talk about your skills and how you can apply them in real life. This overview should be brief, clear, and convincing.
Use insightful descriptions
When creating your LinkedIn profile, ensure that your work descriptions are brief but accurate. Use this part to share your thoughts about the role and its importance to you. Employers want insight into your previous roles to see if you are fit for open positions. Take the time to enhance with keywords relevant to the type of job you are applying for.
Complete and update your information
Do not lose job opportunities simply because of insufficient information. More importantly, align details with your current career goals. This means editing or removing entries not related to your aspirations. Another important note is to use a recent professional portrait. Take the time to update this every few months or whenever you have new achievements or job experience.
Feature your skills
Most hiring companies look at a job applicant’s skills first, so take the time to list all relevant skills, especially your most competent ones. To boost this category on your profile, ask former colleagues and bosses to endorse your skills. These endorsements serve as professional online testimonies that vouch for your capabilities. Do not hesitate to reach out to request one.
Upload an updated resume
While your LinkedIn profile doubles as your online resume, have your formal document available for download. Having a resume on your profile for recruiters shows how eager and sincere you are about looking for a job.
Need help uploading your file? Check out this guide on how to add your resume to LinkedIn.
Expand your network
Having a powerhouse LinkedIn profile is good, but having a vast network of connections makes it better. You want your profile to pop up as a suggestion to other users in the same industry. This is one of the best ways to connect with the right people and, hopefully, with your next employer.
Another way to expand your connection is to be active in industry-relevant forums. Keep up with the news by following industry experts and make a point to interact and leave comments. You can also join niche groups to meet more people from the same field.
Keeping up with the conversations on this platform helps you stay up-to-date on new trends, job openings, and pertinent information.
Offer your services
LinkedIn includes a feature that allows users to offer professional services. You can propose consultancy and freelance services while waiting for a permanent role. This is a great way to improve your skills and establish expertise. Moreover, this enlarges your connections.
Endorse other people
Check your connections for people with skills you can vouch for, and do not hesitate to give your endorsement to them. Supporting others in this way usually triggers them to endorse you, too. Update this section from time to time by editing your endorsement list. You only need to show those that are related to your chosen field.
Take skills assessments
Display Verified Skills badges on your profile by taking online tests. This is a great way to display your abilities and strengthen your online brand and presence. A survey showed that candidates who complete LinkedIn Skills Assessments are more likely to get employed.
Take short courses on LinkedIn
Further boost your profile by taking any of the available courses covering various subjects. There is Time Management, Data Analysis, Motion Graphics, Leadership Skills, and Programming Languages, just to name a few. Determine which one is most beneficial and take it. Aside from gaining additional mastery, this shows employers you are passionate about learning and advancing your skill.
Put on the finishing touches
Don’t forget to customize your LinkedIn name to something easy to remember. For example, you can use your name plus your industry. This looks better aesthetically when sharing it with others and looks more professional at the same time. Additionally, try to have someone look over your profile and provide valuable feedback. They might see something small that you’ve overlooked.
After fine-tuning your account, share it on your other online platforms to reach a larger pool. Then, search engines can more quickly crawl your page and help it appear in search results. If you have a blog or a website, don’t forget to connect your profile, so even more people in your industry find it.
Creating a powerful and effective LinkedIn account may seem like a lot of work, but the advantages far outweigh the effort. Investing a bit of extra time to develop your online presence could be the deciding factor in your next job offer. Use these tips to upgrade your profile, maximize your personal brand, and boost your chances of landing your dream job.
Serenity Shuldberg is a content creator and writer for Content Campfire. She writes about organisational and career development. Serenity lives in Newburgh, New York with her husband and daughter.