Having a complete profile, yet maintaining brevity, is essential, as many of today’s recruiters view applicants’ online presence on mobile devices. Photo from Pixabay.
With 87% of recruiters finding LinkedIn to be the most valuable online resource for vetting potential candidates, it is essential to know what stands out and what hurts your chances. Here are five tips from the experts on how to enhance your LinkedIn, from Fastcompany.com.
- Have a complete profile.
No recruiter wants to look you up on LinkedIn and just see a few words under one section and nothing more. They expect to see concrete, thorough information about your education, work history, skills, volunteer experience and other activities. And needless to say, keep it up-to-date. Don’t have a LinkedIn that hasn’t been updated since you were a freshman.
- Have a good profile picture.
Don’t post a selfie or a cropped version of a photo with friends. Select a high-resolution headshot of yourself. Be sure to dress professionally and have an appropriate facial expression.
- Be thorough but concise.
No recruiter has time to read through pages of information. Use bullet points and strong headlines so the content is easy to read, especially considering that an employer may be viewing your profile on a mobile device. Also, avoid heavy use of jargon, especially if you are applying for jobs across a wide spectrum of fields.
LinkedIn has recently undergone a major renovation, so the site looks quite different than what you might be used to. However, the essentials of having a top-notch profile remain.
- Don’t go overboard on recommendations.
They are important, but they aren’t the main thing that recruiters are seeking. If you have recommendations, make sure they do a good job of highlighting your strengths and are concise.
- Let the world know you are looking for a job.
LinkedIn now has an Open Candidates feature that lets the world know you are looking for work. Under “Jobs,” go to “Preferences,” then go to “Let recruiters know you’re open” and set it to “On.”
For more on having a top-notch LinkedIn account, check out our earlier blog post or visit Mihaylo Career Services at SGMH 1401 or online for personalized career advice.
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