A recent career preparedness bootcamp detailed the significance of LinkedIn. This is because LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools of recruitment. Here are some statistics of LinkedIn:
- As of 2016 LinkedIn had 467 million users according to Statista.com
- According to LinkedIn 2016 second quarter report hiring contributed $535 million in revenue
- 94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to vet their candidates
- There are 6.5 million active listings of jobs on LinkedIn
- The average recruiter has 763 connections on LinkedIn
Here are some of the pointers that picked that can help anyone to stand out among the millions of users on LinkedIn:
1.Use Keywords
When recruiters are looking for suitable candidates on LinkedIn they do a boolean search. A search looking for a sales person would look something like this.
When recruiters are looking for suitable candidates on LinkedIn they do a boolean search. A search looking for a sales person would look something like this. “Account executive” or’”account exec”‘or “account manager” ‘”sales’executive”or “sales’representative”. If you are a sales representative and the recruiter does this search and cannot find you on the first page then you need to work on your LinkedIn profile. Use keywords relevant to your industry and skills throughout your LinkedIn profile.
1.Write A Compelling Headline
This is the headline that appears below your name. It is basically the first impression you give to those visiting your profile. It is important to make it compelling and catchy such that it entices the recruiter to continue scrolling through your profile. Note that by default your LinkedIn headline will be your current job but you can change it. Add your specialty to the headline, include what you do and give proof that you are credible.
2.Have a killer Summary
You have 2,000 characters to create the best impression of yourself. Here are the things that you need to cover in your LinkedIn summary to ensure you have all your bases covered.
What are you currently doing?
What are your future plans i.e. where do you want to work?
Your strongest skills and achievements?
What you studied and why you chose it
What you are passionate about, and what drives you?
A clear call to action – what do you want recruiters to do with your profile.
3.Use Action Verbs To Describe Your Achievements
Most people add their work experience but do not add their achievements while at a specific job. Let’s take an example of somebody who worked in a finance position. Some of the action verbs to use in their LinkedIn profile include audited, administered, calculated, computed, planned, projected etc. This is very crucial because recruiters use these same verbs when doing the boolean search to look for potential employees. Include numbers and statistics in your profile. For example, if you are a salesperson you can mention that you increased the organization’s sales by say 20% in six months. It is important to highlight numbers and the timeline.
4.Join LinkedIn Groups
Being part of LinkedIn groups will give you access to message recruiters directly as well as people you are not connected to.
5.Add a Professional Picture
Somebody may decide to contact you or not, depending on the profile picture you have on LinkedIn. The lack of a profile picture may communicate one is not a serious job seeker.
6.Update Your Profile Regularly
It is always important to update your profile to your current job. Keep your profile up to date including the new roles and responsibilities in your current position.
7.Ask For Recommendations And Endorsements
A good recommendation could help you separate yourself from the pack. While it is important to have recommendations it is crucial that you get them from people who know you well because they might be contacted by recruiters.
8.Publish Articles
Publishing articles in your field could establish you as a leader in that field. It also proves that you are an individual who is able to form their own independent thoughts. Publishing an article on LinkedIn also provides value to your connections. Your connections are informed every time you publish an article on LinkedIn.
This article was written by Derrick Mwiti, a finalist student at MultiMedia University.
He recently participated at the Lapids Leaders. To find out more about the programs on offer click here.
