Is having a professional profile on LinkedIn a waste of time? Not at all.
How you represent yourself on LinkedIn (and other social media channels) can have a significant impact on whether you pass an interview and get the job, or get passed over. For job seekers, a professional profile on LinkedIn is crucial.
Here are some help for optimizing your profile on LinkedIn to put you over the top.
Look professional
The image you post on your professional LinkedIn profile is your first impression to an employer. If you choose an unprofessional photo, most employers won't even glance at the summary and experience sections you worked so hard to create.
Follow these simple rules when choosing a photo:
Choose a photo that is not blurred
You are the only one in the picture
Frame the photo from the chest to the top of the head
Dress appropriately for your field
Never take a selfie
Millenials reading this, no selfie! Trust me, you'll thank me later when you land a job.
Highlight your achievements
Don't just focus on what you did at work, focus on the results. Did you manage a project that led to a £500,000 increase in revenue? Mention that number. It's much more impressive when accompanied by results.
Here are some examples of how to highlight your professional achievements:
GOOD: Reorganization of the team to improve efficiency on the assembly line, leading to savings of 100,000 zloty per year.
WRONG: He managed the assembly line team.
GOOD: Implemented a content marketing plan that increased website traffic by 250% in six months.
WRONG: Developed a content marketing plan.
The more details you add to your professional profile on LinkedIn, the better. Employers don't just want to know what you've done, they want to know what results your actions have produced.
Network
Think of the LinkedIn platform as a giant networking event with millions of participants.
Search for like-minded people who can help you in your career, as well as those who you can help. LinkedIn offers the following search options to help you connect with the right people:
Company
Keywords
Seniority
Company size
School
Title
First and last name
There are even more options available to those with premium accounts for job seekers, so check out this option and see if it's for you. Take advantage of this tremendous networking tool and make as many meaningful connections as possible. Remember to add a detailed note about why you want to connect and who you are, otherwise you will be treated as a spammer and ignored (or reported).
Become a thought leader
Employers want to know that you have the knowledge and experience they are looking for to fill the position they are recruiting for. Using the publishing tool on LinkedIn provides the perfect outlet for you to showcase your expertise in the form of articles.
LinkedIn does an excellent job of promoting these articles, especially those that become popular. The knowledge you present in your articles can reach many people, some of whom may work for someone who wants to hire you.
To make sure your articles become popular, make sure you follow these tips:
Write about what you know about
Ask your friends to share your posts
Include links to your website or other content
Share helpful information
The LinkedIn publishing tool is a great way to get noticed and start getting noticed. The more you publish, the more content will be available to employers who come across your professional LinkedIn profile and see you as a thought leader in your field.
LinkedIn is such a great resource for standing out. Use it wisely and your career will soar. However, if you use it wrong, you could miss out on a lot of great opportunities.
