If you’re a job seeker who doesn’t have a LinkedIn profile, then you’re missing a trick. Get one now. And to those of you who already have a LinkedIn profile – don’t rest on your laurels. There’s always room for improvement. When your career is at stake, can you afford to be lazy?
Update your LinkedIn Profile
Here are our top tips for making your LinkedIn profile as attractive to employers as possible.
Professional photo
This isn’t Facebook. LinkedIn is not the right environment for selfies or pints of beer being held aloft. Use a smartly-attired head-and-shoulders shot. If you don’t have one, stick on your best interview outfit and ask someone to take a photo of you. Your picture is your first impression on LinkedIn. If an employer can’t imagine you in a work environment, then they won’t look any further.
Recommendations from employers or colleagues
It can often feel a bit cheeky or awkward asking your boss or a colleague for a LinkedIn recommendation. But if you’ve done good work for them, they will be happy to oblige. Just make sure you ask them before sending the recommendation request through LinkedIn – it’s the more respectful way of doing things, and they’ll be more likely to comply.
Spelling and grammar
It may sound obvious, but please avoid spelling and grammar mistakes. Proofread everything before you put it live on your profile. Spelling mistakes indicate a lack of attention to detail and poor communication skills. It’s an easy mistake to avoid, so don’t make it.
Join and be active in relevant groups
If you’re a marketer, for example, you should be a member of some marketing groups. It’s a good chance to make new connections and to showcase your knowledge and experience. Don’t join a group with the sole intention of spamming them with requests for work, though. It will make a bad impression, and will be more likely to get you banned than to get you a job.
Think of your job history as a CV
The company, job title and a brief outline of what the role entailed is essential in the ‘experience’ section of your profile. Think of your LinkedIn profile as an online CV, and include the same sort of information that you CV includes – albeit slightly abridged.
If you are actively seeking work, specify what sort of role you’re looking for
How will the right employers find you unless it’s clear what you’re looking for? Put that information front and centre in your summary.
Samples of your work, where relevant
If you work in a creative field, it’s worth uploading some samples of your work to LinkedIn. This can be especially useful for freelancers.
Healthy amount of connections
Only having one or two connections can make it look like you’re not serious about networking – and, by extension, about advancing your career. Time to start connecting.
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