Making the most of your LinkedIn profile is a great way to expand your professional network and connect with potential employers. When you find your profile buried amongst thousands of resumes, it can be discouraging. If you are having trouble connecting with prospective companies, revising your profile may help. Here are six ways to maximize your LinkedIn profile views:
1) Post a Professional Photo
Choose a photo that represents you in the career position you are seeking. If you are interested in becoming an executive, you might post a photo of you in a nice professional suit. If you are a chef, perhaps you have a high quality photo of you wearing your chef hat. A good professional photo with a neutral color background can immediately catch a potential employer’s eye.
2) Use Strong Keywords
Insert strong keywords that you see in similar job descriptions throughout your job search. These keywords should relate to the position you are seeking. Be sure to use the most frequently used keyword in your headline. This basically makes it easier for employers to find your profile when searching for candidates.
3) Make a Personal URL
Instead of accepting the long, random URL automatically assigned by LinkedIn, select to edit your public profile and update the “Your URL” column with a URL that is as similar to your name as possible. This helps potential employers find your site and looks more professional on a resume or application.
4) Keep It Relevant
Streamline the job descriptions of previous positions that do not relate to your ideal career path. Keep these sections limited to your position title, the company you worked for, and a short description of responsibilities. Pay special attention to relevant work history, adding more detail, and making those sections stand out. This trick helps make sure the employer’s eye goes where you want.
5) Advertise Through Your Website Link
Instead of simply inserting the link to your website in the website title section, creatively promote it by renaming the section with a unique directing link. Use an inventive title like, “Amazing Graphic Design” or “Best Recipe Blog.” This will drive more activity to your site and encourage employers to visit your blog. You can also link your blog to your Linked In profile so your blog posts automatically appear on your Linked In. This makes sure the most up-to-date information is on your page.
6) Write an Amazing Summary
The summary section of your LinkedIn Profile is the perfect opportunity to promote yourself to potential employers. This is where you should highlight your strongest achievements and the value you can add to the company. Convince the employer that they need you at their company. This is also another great place to include strong keywords.
A high-quality LinkedIn profile can be key to your next job offer—potentially even more than your professional network. Take the time to tailor your profile to the synopsis your ideal company would like to see from the perfect candidate. With a little revision, you may find your resume amongst the top of recruiters’ lists.
