How to Use LinkedIn as the Ultimate Professional Profile Update Tool

Whether you are a skilled and seasoned veteran of the executive world looking to branch out into new endeavors or a promising new talent just breaking into the world of business, one thing remains consistent.  You must have an up-to-date profile of your professional experience.

As of April 28, 2016, LinkedIn had 433 million users. There are 128 million users in the U.S. alone, and the network’s reach now includes 200 countries and territories around the world. In fact, studies showed that LinkedIn gains two new members per second.

With so many users and such a wide reach, today’s job seekers have a higher probability of landing their dream jobs through LinkedIn. Unfortunately, there are still members who think that simply signing up and creating a profile will automatically bring in recruiters with job offers.

If you want to get noticed by headhunters or employers on LinkedIn, you need to make sure you have done the following:

1.     Write an attention-grabbing Summary

The Summary is typically one of the first sections that recruiters will read. Often, there are several people competing for the same jobs with similar education and other qualifications. Do not skip the Summary on your LinkedIn profile. Filling out the Summary section on your profile, highlighting your skills and giving an overview of your experience can make you stand out easily from the rest of the competition. The Summary is typically one of the first sections that recruiters will read; it is your selling point. When you write a great summary, recruiters are more likely to proceed forward into checking the rest of your profile.

2.     Use the right photo

According to LinkedIn Career Expert, Nicole Williams, many LinkedIn users either do not use a photo or use the wrong photo (e.g. a photo of their baby or husband or an avatar). It’s common that some members may opt for a photo of themselves from several years ago; this is especially true for older people who worry about age discrimination. Unfortunately, this may come off as deceptive to the interviewer. Your photo should be recent and should show you at your professional best. LinkedIn is a professional network, not a social network like Facebook and Twitter.

3.     List your entire work history

Unlike a resumé, where you have to limit the details to a few pages, you need to include all of your work experience on LinkedIn. Recruiters have several criteria for different jobs. For example, there are employers who are looking for writers with medical backgrounds or graduates or former employees of Ivy League universities. Your experience, no matter how insignificant it may have seemed at the time, may be part of a potential employer’s criteria for selecting employees.

4.     Make sure that you show up in searches

Having a complete profile is a must but you have to make sure that it also contains keywords that recruiters may be searching for. Get endorsements and recommendations. This will help your profile go higher in search results. Adding more contacts can also boost your profile in search results.

5.   Your profile should always be current

Recruiters and potential employers will ensure that your profile is accurate and up-to-date. One way to prove that you are present is to “like” the posts of other users.  Another option, posting or sharing pertinent industry articles to your homepage feed, will also display you as an active networker.  This practice will also keep your name within the newsfeeds of others.  “Reminding” your connections of your presence could also potentially lead to new and unknown opportunities.

According to a Jobvite survey in 2015, 87 percent of recruiters make use of LinkedIn when seeking potential job candidates. Bullhorn Reach, a social recruiting platform, reports that the typical recruiter has an average of 763 LinkedIn connections.

In Conclusion

Although LinkedIn is just one platform where you can get jobs, research shows that you can land higher-paying jobs through this network compared to others. Take pride in your LinkedIn profile, and do whatever you can to improve upon it. Doing so may just bring you opportunities that you never had before.

By Fred Coon, CEO

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