Every day, recruiters are on LinkedIn searching for talented individuals with specific skill sets, so they can reach out and see if that person might be interested in the opportunities they can offer. Some profiles stand out and look more professional than others – so make sure you are putting your best foot forward by optimising your LinkedIn profile to increase the number of opportunities that come your way.
Start with the Basics
The first step is to make sure you have all relevant key sections of your profile completed. This includes your headline, work experience, education, skills, certifications, and location, including the county if you are living in Ireland.
Do Upload a Profile Picture
Imagine scrolling through LinkedIn and coming across two profiles. One has a friendly, professional photo, while the other has that generic grey silhouette. Which one grabs your attention more? Chances are, you’re always more likely to be drawn to the profile with the photo.
Statistically speaking, profiles with photos get up to 21 times more views. Why? Because people want to see who they’re connecting with. A photo allows them to put a face to your name before engaging with you, making that initial interaction more personal and less like a blind date.
Write a Clear and Engaging Summary
No need for an exhaustive account of every job you’ve ever had—keep it concise and captivating. Begin with a brief introduction about yourself, highlighting your career achievements, professional background, and any awards or milestones you’ve reached. Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments to showcase your impact and credibility.
Optimise with Keywords and Skills
When searching for candidates, recruiters will often use industry-specific keywords and skills, along with locations and job titles. Think about the words and phrases that best match the job you want, and the skills needed for it. These might be technical terms, industry-specific lingo, or sought-after soft skills. Add these keywords to your headline, summary, and experience sections wherever possible to help recruiters find you more easily.
Keep Your Work Experience Up to Date
This one might seem obvious, but make sure you list your current job, including your title, company, and when you started. When you leave a job, always update your LinkedIn to show the end date. Having two roles listed as current can make it confusing for people to know which one you’re actually in and may affect how you come up in search results.
Connect with Other Professionals in Your Industry
It’s always a good idea to connect with professionals in your industry to stay up to date with relevant industry news, especially when you are looking for a new role. Growing your network can increase your visibility and access to job opportunities. Connect with professionals in your industry, former classmates, colleagues, and even influencers or thought leaders. A diverse network can open doors to unexpected opportunities, including roles that aren’t typically advertised on job boards.
Make the Most of LinkedIn’s Job Search Tools
LinkedIn’s “Open to work” feature allows you to plug in roles you are interested in based on job titles, locations, working models, and employment types. It also gives you the option to change the visibility to “Recruiters only”. While this doesn’t guarantee complete privacy, you can rest assured that all of your connections won’t be alerted to the fact you are now open to work.
Optimise Your Job Hunt with LinkedIn Recommendations
Let LinkedIn do the work for you! By ensuring your profile is up to date and sprinkled with keywords, LinkedIn can provide you with daily personalised job recommendations based on your profile, skills, and preferences.
