If you’re reading this article, there is a good chance you found it on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool and a fantastic source of information. However, one of the most substantial assets this social media platform offers is its job search and recruiting capabilities. And the best way to capitalize on this job search tool is to have an outstanding LinkedIn profile. The more robust your profile is, the more it will stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. Here are a few ways to make your LinkedIn profile stand out.
Professional-looking headshot
First impressions truly matter. Your profile picture on LinkedIn must be a professional-looking headshot. According to LinkedIn, having a great headshot makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed by others. Therefore, this is the easiest way to make your LinkedIn profile stand out.
Note: I said professional-looking, not “professional headshot.” You do not need to hire a professional photographer to take excellent headshots of you. All you need to do is have a friend or family member take a nice picture of you in some professional attire. Choose a nice neutral background with good lighting. You don’t need a fancy camera, either. Just take a few pictures with your smartphone, and you will be good to go! You will have a great headshot for your profile that will impress hiring managers from your profile’s first view.
Thoroughly complete your profile
You cannot just create your profile and expect dozens of hiring managers and HR professionals to reach out to you. You must put in a little work by thoroughly completing your profile. Add all your education, work experience, skills, certifications, and more. LinkedIn does a great job showing you suggestions on how to improve your profile.
If you have an online portfolio or writing samples, you can link those to your page, too. And don’t forget the “About” section underneath your profile picture. This section is where you can give a quick snapshot of who you are and what you do. This is essentially your elevator pitch to other LinkedIn users and gives you a space to share what kind of role you are looking for or what industry you desire to work in.
Ask for recommendations
At the bottom of your LinkedIn profile, there is a section for recommendations. This is a place that displays all the recommendations you have given as well as the ones you have received. There is also an option for you to ask for recommendations. If you click on that, you can ask any of your LinkedIn connections for a recommendation. This feature is essentially a digital form of professional references. Getting a few recommendations will boost your profile and demonstrate your skills, accomplishments, and work ethic. They can really make your LinkedIn profile stand out and give you an edge over any competition if you are on the job hunt.
Pro tip: the best way to receive recommendations is to write some yourself!
