Today’s job seeker understands that leveraging LinkedIn is an important part of the job search process. However, with so many users on the site and so much competition how can you make yourself stand out in the sea of candidates? Recruiters who view LinkedIn profiles look at only a few things before deciding whether or not to contact someone. These include the headline, the profile photo, and the summary. So how can you craft these things to make yourself an ideal candidates? Here are some ideas.
Customize Your Headline
The headline on a LinkedIn profile defaults to your most current job title. But you can customize it. Change your headline to best describe what you do and what your objective is. This will help recruiters and hiring managers see who you are at a glance and be encouraged to read further.
Don’t Use Blocks of Text
Large blocks of text in your summary area will turn a reader off. Instead, use paragraph breaks leaving just one or two thoughts per line. Start with the most important information first to engage the reader. This will keep them interested and more likely to continue reading your profile.
Talk About Accomplishments
You want to stand out from your competition. The best way to do this is to focus on your accomplishments rather than your skills. Skills can always be learned, but you need to demonstrate how your experience would benefit a company. This is also a good way to keep track of your accomplishments while you’re not actively looking for a job.
Use an Appropriate Photo
The profile photos on LinkedIn have been controversial from the start. Like with resumes, people believe that photos have no place in the job search. However, the social networking aspect of LinkedIn seems to facilitate this change in appropriate behavior. But, of course, it is critical that you use a professional head shot for this photo.
Include Your Contact Information
In your summary you may also want to include your contact information. If a recruiter or hiring manager is interested in contacting you they don’t have to wait until they get to the end of your profile to find your email address or phone number. Include it like you might a signature on your email.
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