3 Easy Ways to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile
As of October 23, 2013 the professional networking site LinkedIn reported 84 million U.S. users, with the average user spending 17 minutes online, (Digital Marketing Ramblings, 2013). So what do these statistics mean to you, the WTI student? It means that of those 84 million users, your LinkedIn profile MUST capture the attention of a recruiter in order to be effective. If the average user spends 17 minutes online, you need to optimize your profile in order to make the most of that time! The good news is making changes to your LinkedIn profile is easy, and the results will be well worth it!
Check out the three tips below on improving your LinkedIn profile:
1. Make your headline search engine friendly! A good thing to remember here is that your headline is not meant to be the job title that you are currently holding. Rather than thinking of this as a title for yourself, think of this section as room to tout what your skills are. Your LinkedIn profile is much more likely to turn up in a search if you use industry-specific skills or overarching titles like Technician, Analyst, Medical Assistant or Coding Specialist. While being specific on your resume in encouraged, you have room to be more flexible on LinkedIn. Take advantage of those search engines and use words and phrases that will bring you to the top of the results page! After all, getting noticed is half the battle!
2. Make the most out of recommendations! Don’t you love that little confidence boost you get after you have been endorsed for a skill? Endorsing is great, however it isn’t quite enough! The goal of your LinkedIn profile is to set yourself apart from the rest, and how can you outshine others if you all have the same skills? The easiest way to stand alone is to ask a few of your LinkedIn connections for personalized quotes and recommendations. Avoid sending a mass message to your contacts making this request; instead draft a brief, personalized message to those connections that you have touched base with in the past six or so months. Personalized recommendations and quotes regarding your performance and work ethic make great additions to your profile! If others see that your work comes highly recommended they be that much more likely to take a chance on you!
3. Join groups! LinkedIn is a professional networking site, so it is important to do just that…NETWORK! Don’t fall into the “set it and forget it” LinkedIn trap. Employers and recruiters want to see that you are an active part of this network versus a passive one. Illustrate this by joining industry-specific groups and participating in the conversations held there. You will undoubtedly gain more insight into the field while making connections in the process!
For more tips on career development, visit WTI’s Academic Services!
