If you are looking for a new career opportunity, your social media presence, especially your LinkedIn profile, can play a very important role in your success.
In Illinois it is actually illegal for employers to use social media in determining whether or not to hire someone. Employers can, however, use sites like LinkedIn to find qualified applicants and notify them of career opportunities. For this reason, you want to make sure your profile depicts you in an accurate and professional manner.
If you’ve created your profile, but are not getting any attention, think about making a few changes. It could be that your profile does not portray a professional look. Unlike other social media platforms, LinkedIn is almost all business. Your profile, posts and comments should keep with that fact. For those of you struggling to gain traction on LinkedIn, here are some simple tips that you can implement today.
1. Add a Professional Headshot
With LinkedIn, it’s all about being professional. Therefore, your photo should depict a professional image, not an inappropriate, blank or casual one. Most phones now have a camera with high enough resolution to capture a good photo – so no excuses! Remember, your photo could be the first impression an employer has of you, so dress accordingly.
2. Use Keywords in your Headline
Your headline should contain keywords that relate to the position you are seeking. Think about some of the most likely terms or phrases a potential employer looking to hire candidates might search for and add them to your profile. It will make you more visible to searchers.
3. Create a Results-Driven Summary
Given that it’s the first section people read after your header and headline, be sure to include any key achievements, career milestones, awards, endorsements and success stories. Instead of focusing on tasks you completed, focus on the results your actions yielded.
4. Ask for Recommendations
Recommendations can help readers understand the types of problems you solve, how you make decisions and how you handle tough situations. Ask supervisors from past jobs and others you have done business with to leave you a recommendation outlining your skills and achievements.
5. Make Regular Updates
Being “top of mind” with potential employers can be very beneficial. Aside from staying in front of them, sharing insights about your career field will show that you are serious about your profession and work to stay current in your field.
6. Become Active in LinkedIn Groups
LinkedIn groups are a great place to connect with potential employers while demonstrating your knowledge on a particular topic. You should search out groups specific to your profession and actively engage in those groups. You may be unknowingly demonstrating your expertise to a future employer.
7. Turn off LinkedIn Activity Broadcasts
Turn off your account’s activity broadcasts if you don’t want potential employers to know that you are updating your profile. If you are reading this and have just realized your entire profile needs an overhaul, you may want to turn off updates to stay off the radar of potential employers until your profile is ready for action.
While the tips above are pretty simple, making sure your profile is professional, up to date and demonstrates your expertise is more than worthwhile when you are looking to change careers. Take a few moments today to make sure your profile is making the first impression you want it to.
If you are looking for professional career opportunities, be sure to apply for positions you are interested in and call any of our offices to schedule an interview.
Marion, IL – (618) 969-8800 | Vandalia, IL – (618) 283-9533 | Murfreesboro, TN – (615) 295-2127