LinkedIn has changed the recruiting industry. Whether you are passively or actively looking for a job, LinkedIn is a great social platform for recruiters to find you. Well, that is if they can find you.
To ensure you actively use LinkedIn to the fullest, here are a few pro tips:
Research is essential
First, do your research; check out people’s profiles with similar professional backgrounds, follow companies that interest you, and connect with new people who you find interesting.
Create a Strategy
Build a strategy that involves building a solid network and interacting with your network to help LinkedIn serve you more relevant content, resources, and potential connections. Your network will help you improve your skillset, stay on top of industry trends, and meet mentors who can help you gain access to resources.
Show Up In Searches
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and clearly articulates who you are and what you do. Add all of your skills, software knowledge, industry experience, certifications, and education to your profile. These areas of your profile are important because recruiters use them as keywords when searching for potential candidates. A good rule of thumb is to ensure all your skills and experiences align. According to Katie Larson, Recruiting Manager at Celarity, “Consistency is key. Make sure that your resume matches what you have written on LinkedIn.”
Be “Clickable”
First impressions mean everything, and social media has taken on such an important role in promoting our professional experiences and skills. Most people will make all kinds of judgments about you within the first few seconds of looking at your profile picture. So it is important to have an eye-catching headshot and headline to make a good first impression on a recruiter or potential employer.
Show off Your Portfolio
If you are the creative type, you know how important it is to have an excellent portfolio. But, more importantly, recruiters need to be able to spot it on your profile quickly. Ensure your profile link is easily seen. Insert your portfolio link within your contact information since contact information is located at the top of your profile, near your professional summary.
Become and Stay Engaged
Do your research, and be sure to skim through a company’s profile page before applying for a position. For example, many organizations maintain their own LinkedIn pages to share content and showcase culture. If the company is doing a fantastic job at this, they will show you what they are all about within their profile page. This is a great way for you to stay connected and engaged with companies that you could see yourself working for in the future.
Market your Skills & Experiences
Ask people to endorse you for skills and write recommendations for you. These endorsements and recommendations add credibility. Connections can endorse you for skills with just one click. On the other hand, recommendations are written reviews from someone who has worked with or worked around you. These recommendations are basically “mini” letters of recommendations that showcase your expertise right on your profile page for recruiters and future employers to see.
Turn your Signal “ON”
Lastly, if you are currently unemployed, a great way to let recruiters know you are open to new opportunities is to turn your signal on. Click on the “Career Interests” button located under the “Job” tab on your LinkedIn profile. Turn the tab to “on,” and along the way, fill out your information regarding what type of positions you are looking for, where you are at in your search, and what job titles you are open to.
If you’re currently looking for a new role, or if you want to learn more about the possibilities, we’d love to talk to you. Send us an email at recruiter@celarity.com!
