LinkedIn Profile Writing is a highly used recruitment tool for today’s recruiter, internal recruitment team or talent search professional that is why it is so critical for you in securing your next role. And why you need to know what you need in a compelling LinkedIn profile?
Do you want to be one of the 2.5 million people hired through their LinkedIn every year? With a powerful LinkedIn profile that is not only Search Engine Optimised (SEO) but expressive of your personal brand, you are one – very big – step closer to securing your next opportunity. As the number of LinkedIn members and competition rapidly grows, the importance of differentiating yourself from others within your field is significant. But how exactly do we stand out from the crowd? Not only will a professional profile encourage recruiters to contact you directly about current or future job opportunities, but you can actively engage with your industry network and even apply for active jobs. With tone, style and visuals in mind, let’s take a look at how to optimise your LinkedIn profile…
Choose a great headshot
A strong LinkedIn photo can make a significant difference in being considered for a professional opportunity, or being eliminated from deliberation. Profiles with photos receive up to 21x more profile views and 9x more connection requests. Whether we intend to or not, we naturally make instantaneous judgements about how people are portrayed in pictures – and the same can be said for recruiters. Points to consider when selecting your next LinkedIn image; appear approachable, wear formal attire, make sure it’s recent, and be the front and centre.
Craft a winning summary
Think of your summary as your elevator pitch. This particular section should walk the reader through your work passions, unique skills and professional expertise; make sure your online persona represents your most authentic self. By focusing on your selling points, you will demonstrate to recruiters what value you can add to their organisation. Your marketing piece needs to be so capturing and enticing that it makes the reader click “see more” to get the whole story. When talking about your expertise, accomplishments and skills, weave in SEO keywords to attract traffic and keep users engaged with your profile.
Utilise industry keywords
There are multiple places to incorporate SEO keywords; headline, summary, experience section, and skills and endorsements. Word used throughout your LinkedIn profile are crucial in determining the likelihood of appearing in top searches; if recruiters are looking for the same things that you are offering, you’re on to a winner. By researching and identifying common terms within your field or industry, you’ll rank higher in search results, create new opportunities, optimise your connections, and impress your readers with the professionalism of your profile.
Leverage your achievements
Recruiters are very selective in the applicants they decide to shortlist. Keeping this in mind, you want to market yourself as a high performer throughout the summary and experience sections using action words, accomplishments and figures. Including specific examples and outcomes enables you to validate your skills and showcase your abilities. Recruiters immediately want to see how you can add value to their business; after all, your past performance is a true indication of how you will perform in the future. While personal achievements may be a true reflection of your hard-working nature, think about specific achievements that have directly impacted on the performance of the organisation.
Showcase your skills
When it comes to building a professional brand, pay strong attention to your skills and endorsements relevant to your desired field. Your list of skills will not only validate your expertise but demonstrate your suitability to undertake the role in a professional and easy-to-read manner. Look at the skills you already have and compare them to those needed for your desired job; if you can see a match, embrace them. By including the right skills, you will enhance your job search effort and rank higher in searches.
In this digital age, LinkedIn has become a powerful tool to create an online professional brand which can expose a multitude of opportunities and networks to progress your career. With 92% of recruiters using LinkedIn daily, you want to make sure your online presence is giving you a competitive edge to stand out from others within your field. Are you making the most of this free online tool?