Did you know that there are more than 310 million active LinkedIn users active monthly users in the world? But, have you ever wondered how you can shine on the corporate social media giant?
There are so many talented and qualified people on the network. How can you stand out from the crowd?
If you’re a job seeker on the lookout for digital marketing jobs, you need to consistently update and transform your LinkedIn profile in creative ways.
Check out our effective tips on how to improve your LinkedIn profile today. Let’s go!
1. Action Snaps are the Best
You shouldn’t keep your face hidden from the camera. It doesn’t matter how impressive your professional achievements may be. If people can’t see your profile picture, they’ll probably dismiss you immediately.
In fact, LinkedIn users with profile pictures receive on average 21 times more profile views compared to those without. You’ll also get up to 9 times more connection requests if you have a picture on your profile.
How do you want to get viewed by prospective employers or clients? Show yourself in action.
If you want a gig in catering, show yourself serving customers. If you’re a public speaker, then add a snap of you engaging your audience at a conference.
Neutral backgrounds and soft lighting also help to produce an effective image for your profile.
2. Make Yourself Easy to Contact
Everything moves at an extremely fast pace nowadays. There’s nothing worse than being difficult to get in touch with.
You need to download the LinkedIn app for your smartphone. This way you can instantly respond to any connection requests or messages you receive from recruiters.
Also, include any other ways to contact you on your LinkedIn profile.
Are you especially chatty on Twitter? Make sure people can contact you via other social media networks as well.
Many people don’t want to publish personal email addresses online. That’s fine but your privacy concerns shouldn’t stop you from getting a great new job opportunity.
Create an email address specifically for LinkedIn. This allows people to add you to any relevant email list.
3. Capture Attention With Your Headline
The headline on your LinkedIn page is one of the first things anyone sees. They will probably make assumptions about what kind of candidate you are based on a few words here.
You cannot afford to narrow your opportunities because you slipped up on your headline. You should simply restrict yourself to sharing the essence of who you are on your headline.
So, don’t go overboard with as much information as you can. For example, you could say “LinkedIn Profile Advisor” or “Senior Marketer at LinkedIn” if you want to grab the attention of your audience.
This isn’t the time for buzzwords. Leave any terms like “experienced” and “professional” out of the headline.
4. Avoid Showing You’re Desperate
Even if you’re unemployed or eager to leave your current position, don’t sound desperate to potential recruiters.
There is over 70 percent of LinkedIn users who are passive candidates. That means that they’re casually open to other opportunities. And yet, many of them are gainfully employed at the same time.
You wouldn’t want to appear desperate if you were on a first date. Job seeking isn’t much different.
Therefore, always avoid any terms such as “actively searching for jobs” or “full-time job seeker” because it’s going to turn off employers.
Playing hard to get is essential. People want to hire someone who is already in demand. Not someone who is still on the shelf.
5. Friendly and Approachable is Best
LinkedIn is all about appearing professional. And yet, nowadays, you don’t want to appear so professional that you’re not a real person anymore.
Many people still write a profile summary in third-person. However, this is a little bit too much for most recruiters.
You need to sound friendly and approachable. You want employers to read your profile and want to call you up.
Therefore, stay away from any jargon. You may need to explain some of your qualifications or professional experience if they come across as complicated.
You shouldn’t dumb down your writing either. Avoid jargon and over complication of writing. Writing in simple and accessible language is better than leaving your readers confused.
6. Utilize Keywords Sparingly
You have probably already been told to include keywords. People want to know if you’re good at “teamwork”, “communication” and “problem-solving.”
However, your profile can quickly read as though you’re hammering these keywords too much.
Where’s the proof that you’re a team-worker? You need to artfully include keywords without making it obvious that you’re playing for the search engines.
7. Emphasize Your Professional Achievements
Employers don’t want to read endless lists of things you were responsible for at work. They’ll mutter to themselves – “So what?”
You need to underline your achievements at work instead. For example, don’t just say:
“I was responsible for the sales.” You could write: “I increased sales by over 30 percent as the team leader for sales.”
This sounds much better. When you can, always quantify your achievements. Just saying that you improved sales doesn’t reveal as much as putting a number on it.
8. Don’t Dump Your Resume on LinkedIn
LinkedIn isn’t a resume. Of course, you probably still need an updated resume when you’re applying for professional opportunities.
And yet, you shouldn’t simply dump your resume on LinkedIn. It can be tempting to copy and paste everything from one place to another.
However, the LinkedIn profile isn’t the same as a CV.
Unlike your resume, which should be tailor-made for each position, your LinkedIn has to show you’re a great candidate for a wider range of roles.
9. Don’t Step on Your Current Employer’s Toes
Your current employer is probably going to check out your LinkedIn profile. You’re even likely to be connected on the network with them.
Therefore, don’t create any problems with your boss by posting anything that conflicts with the company’s values or goals.
If you have any information about your employer that is private, definitely don’t reveal it on LinkedIn.
You need to be able to write a profile that promotes the company you work for you and the role you play. At the same time, you need to be able to quietly suggest to other potential employers that you may be available.
10. Ask Someone Else to Proofread
Can you believe that up to 48 percent of resumes have typos? LinkedIn profiles are probably not much different either.
It’s easy to make a small mistake. However, it doesn’t look good if you want to appeal to employers on LinkedIn.
Always ask someone else to proofread. You may be able to read your profile over and over. But, there’s always going to be something you miss.
11. Ask People for Recommendations
Did you know that up to 50 percent of new hires in the US are employed because of referrals by other employees?
At the end of the day, it’s who you know that gets you the job sometimes. So, make the most of your network.
Ask your colleagues, employers, and clients to write a recommendation for you on your LinkedIn profile.
Make sure they write what you want them to.
You may want your colleagues to emphasize your work ethic and teamwork. While you could prefer your employer to speak about your ability to deliver and your conscientiousness.
12. Post Blog Articles on LinkedIn
If you want to show that you’re an expert in your field, you could write a blog post and publish it on LinkedIn.
This could either be a blog post that has been published somewhere else originally or a post for LinkedIn specifically.
Of course, you shouldn’t use LinkedIn as you would Facebook. Nobody wants to hear your family story about getting a new puppy on LinkedIn.
13. Create a Catchy URL
Your LinkedIn URL may not seem very important. But, it’s actually what you’ll need to copy and paste on your resume.
This is your personal brand. Your default LinkedIn name is probably rather complicated and confusing.
Keep it simple with your name – linkedin.com/in/johnsmith. However, if your name is already taken, change your URL to include some initials.
Don’t go crazy with some clever brand for your name like – linkedin.com/in/thebestmanforthejob. This will only scare off any employers.
How to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile?
If you only set up your LinkedIn account and added your resume information to the profile, you have a lot still to do.
An impressive and effective LinkedIn profile could be the difference to you getting an exciting new job opportunity or not.
If you want more tips and advice on how to land your dream job in digital marketing, check out our blog posts.
