LinkedIn has over 610 million members across over 200 countries and regions. 260 million members are active users, engaging monthly on the platform. Over 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn and there are more than 20 million companies on LinkedIn. If you do not yet have a LinkedIn profile or you haven’t given much thought to your profile recently, I recommend you do so as it could be a source of passive opportunities even if you are not actively seeking a new job.
Below are five quick ways in which you can give your LinkedIn profile the reboot it needs;
Include a professional photo. Research shows that people who read LinkedIn profiles spend 60% of their time on your photograph, so it is important to make it count. Ideally, the photo should mostly be of your face and although it does not need to be a photograph taken by a professional photographer it should be a business professional photo given the LinkedIn audience
Use the title to list your number one value add to your business, rather than simply listing your title. For example, if you are a Technology Project Manager specializing in Fixed Income Systems, you want to incorporate your Fixed Income and Investment Banking industry expertise under the title category. Doing this also helps you rank higher in Boolean searches and therefore opens you up to more opportunities.
Summarize two-three core highlights for each role under the experiences section. Remember to include the results and impact to the business. If possible use each bullet point to highlight a different aspect of your experience (e.g. leadership skills, market expertise, teamwork).
Join relevant groups in your industry and location. In addition to helping you gain insight into what others in your industry are up to, participating in industry groups can help boost your profile. It also serves as a reference point should you want to interact with another group member.
Leverage the recommendations section and request that your colleagues and various stakeholders write testimonials for you. You can direct them to speak on specific aspects of your background or interactions with you. I recommend asking peers, superiors
If you do all that has been recommended above and are still not getting the desired results that you want from your profile, you could always invest in a professional resume review. We offer three packages to our clients depending on their needs. By investing in a professionally created LinkedIn profile, you have the opportunity to stand out, control your personal brand and increase your visibility on your market. Whether you are active, passive or not seeking a new job, a well-crafted profile will allow you to build professional connections and elevate your career. With a professional LinkedIn profile review, your consultant will take the time to understand your career journey to date and your future aspirations, and help you create a LinkedIn profile that effectively generates attention from hiring managers and recruiters.
If you are interested in finding out more about our LinkedIn services, please email info@adaoffonry.com.