Approximately 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find talent. Will you get their attention? Follow these tips to get noticed:
Customize your URL
Swap those meaningless numbers with your name so you can include your LinkedIn on your resume.
Accept all invitations from recruiters
If a recruiter sends you an invitation to connect with a job opportunity you’re not interested in, you should politely decline the opportunity but still accept their invitation. If you reject their invitation, they can’t message you in the future if they find another opportunity that you’re well-suited for.
Set your occupational field
Recruiters use occupational field filters to find candidates so set your job field appropriately.
List your volunteer experience
Your volunteer activities can help separate you from the other candidates and demonstrate that you care about important things.
Research the people you’re writing to and interviewing with
It’s never been easier to find the right name to address your cover letter to – that person and the other interviewers will likely have a LinkedIn where you can learn more about them.
Write a specific headline
Recruiters find candidates using headline filters so write a specific, niche headline that sufficiently describes your work – feel free to include multiple terms.
Set your graduation year
If you’re still in school, list your graduation year so recruiters know when you’re eligible to start.
Keep your LinkedIn picture professional
A smile is the minimum. Avoid dog filters, duck faces, shirtless gym poses – anything that works on a dating site won’t work on LinkedIn.
Disperse relevant keywords (reasonably) throughout your LinkedIn
Research job descriptions you’re interested in and ensure your LinkedIn mirrors the grammar, punctuation, and language style of the descriptions, and contains ‘enough’ keywords found in those postings. A recruiter will see your LinkedIn so keep your keyword frequency reasonable and leave out those fluffy, cliché buzzwords.
Include personality and hard skills in your summary
Attract recruiters by inserting (1) uncommon adjectives that describe you and (2) a hard skills summary – these should include functions, programs, fields, languages, and any other hard skills listed in your resume.
Set your geographic region
Recruiters use location filters to find candidates so set your geographic region to where you’re willing to work.
Match your LinkedIn to your resume
Ensure there are no discrepancies between the core elements of your resume and LinkedIn – your LinkedIn is a digital resume so don’t forget to follow common resume tips and apply those to your LinkedIn (like omitting your high school and ‘References Available Upon Request’).
Publish positive reviews on your LinkedIn
Request ‘recommendations’ from references willing to publish a positive review of you on your LinkedIn.
Upload a portfolio of attachments
Highlight your experience and accomplishments by attaching photographs, videos, presentations, publications, and any other past projects worth showcasing.