From Ordinary to Extraordinary, upgrade your LinkedIn presence with our expert tips
If you’re actively looking for a new role your LinkedIn profile must not only be up to date, it NEEDS to help you 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗨𝗧.
- 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: When searching, the first thing anyone sees is your headline, craft an engaging and concise headline that highlights what you do.
Many recruiters/hiring managers use headlines as a quick way to make their initial longlist, before going through that longlist in greater detail.
Your headline needs to be clear, it may go beyond just your job title and highlight your unique value proposition, but it shouldn’t be confusing at a glance.
- 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: Your summary is a great opportunity to tell your story and professional journey so far.
I’ve found so many people over the years, due to the content of their summary. Why? Because they’ve used it to highlight the key accomplishments, experiences, education, customer base, geographies, motivations, product portfolio, etc.
On multiple occasions, I’ve also referenced the information in someone’s summary on my first outreach, which has always been reciprocated well.
- 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: Think of your profile as you would your CV.
Document your career history, highlighting all of the roles and promotions that you’ve had along the way. Especially if you’ve been in one company for a long time.
Aim to highlight all the experience that you have which is relevant to the roles you are ideally looking for.
For example, if you’re working in sales, highlight the product portfolio you’ve covered, the regions you’ve worked, the segments and even the customers.
It’s also worth highlighting key achievements in relation to those roles. For example: did you deliver growth, win new customers, salvage a struggling relationship, develop a new product, win any awards…If so, let it be known.
- 𝗞𝗲𝘆𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀: Use keywords throughout, to highlight your experience, your achievements, your knowledge, even your customers, etc.
Most recruiters and hiring managers use Boolean search, as a quick and easy way to narrow down their search lists, as do my internal ATS systems.
Including the correct and relevant keywords for your field of expertise can be game-changing. It could be the difference between getting an interview, getting approached, and not. If you want to be found, make it easy.
- 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Ask colleagues, managers, customers, etc. to write recommendations for you. These can provide valuable insights into your skills and character. Additionally, take the time to endorse and recommend others, as they might reciprocate.
