How to build a powerful LinkedIn profile?
Back in the days, when the world was devoid of social media, people and recruiters alike made use of a CV (curriculum vitae) or a resume to appear for a job interview.
Now with social media storming our lives professionally and personally, it is no the wonder that online profiles are getting bigger and stronger and are proving as the best bet for recruiters for hunting down the correct candidate.
However, although social media does not have a very stringent approach nor mostly has a much-generalized language, its importance nevertheless cannot be ignored. According to a survey, almost 95% of the recruiters use social media for their hiring process and is an extremely effective way of doing it.
Remember with the ever-changing and the ever dynamic job scenario, competition is getting head-on and will keep on increasing day by day. So it is not just about building a powerful resume, it is all about building a brand which will make you stand out from the rest of the people and differentiate you from the job market in the outside world.
It is now all about creating a professional brand for yourself which you can leverage it across while searching for jobs.
How will you build a powerful Linked In profile? We give you some details below-
Take out time to create it.
Remember even if it is social media, you should invest in the account it is your professional profile.
Not only it should be completed but also should be interesting.
Your potential interviewer must gain that confidence that you have the caliber to achieve and crack the coveted interview.
Focus on your achievements, skills, what is the one thing which makes you stand out from the others?
Do not leave the profile incomplete and fill in all the sections carefully.
LinkedIn will help leverage the completeness of your profile and measure all the statistics.
Having a custom URL seems to be a good idea-
It is easier to gain views when you have a custom made URL instead of only a name
People will be able to find you a lot more quickly and easily.
Also it is easier for recruiters to shortlist the candidates.
You can edit the URL as and when you want it to be done.
Choose a professional photo
A clear, good looking and a professional photo is a must.
Also it should match your industry and the type of job you are looking for.
You can always look for references and how do people put up their photo in their LinkedIn profile.
Also as mentioned from the above point, it should be industry-specific.
If you are in the business sector then the photo must suit those industry standards accordingly.
Remember a photo can certainly go a long way in adhering to the various professional standards’ and help you land that coveted job.
Write a great opening headline-
Your headline does not have to be the name
Or your company name
It can be something which will be eye-catching and should also at the same time convey your professional status.
It is a means to showcase your value proposition.
Write a clever summary-
Your summary should ideally convey what all your job description is all about.
Ideally it should be around 3-5 sentences.
Preferably you can put it in the bullet section.
The reader should understand your values, work, and passions.
It should also list the various industries where you have worked for, your key skills and qualifications.
Do not use the overworked and hyped buzzwords-
Analytical, multi-tasker, creative, effective are all the overused buzzwords on the internet and LinkedIn.
Instead focus on using creative and different words which would not be a tried and tested and which are commonly used.
This is where you should really think strategically and logically to make use of the correct words.
Add a background photo-
The background is not much of a very important thing, but nevertheless, it will create the required impact if you really put a good and a professional background photo.
The right kind of background photo helps your entire profile stand out from the rest at the same time engage the attention and have a recall value.
Focus on growing your network-
Networking plays a huge role while making a strong profile.
And also, it is an important part of all your professional networks also.
All you have to do is that you have to sync in your profile with your email address so that the relevant people can get connected with you and find out for the future job prospects.
You can also have followed up meetings and different conversations also on the LinkedIn profile.
Request for recommendations-
Endorsements work big.
They give a chance to people to have a look at your profile and also a core area of expertise which will work in your favor.
The personal testimonials serve as a big boost for your future prospective employees and put up a good impression at the same time.
It also adds a personal touch as personal recommendations are preferred by everyone.
Follow people/influencers which are from your industry
Following relevant influencers which are from your industry will prove to be a big boost and will surely let you know about different industry insights and the top news from the industry.
You can also build important links and develop important contacts which will be fruitful for you in the near future.
You can also share your links with others and make your profile stand out from the rest.
Publish your content if you write it even the better-
The more you share the content, the more it is going to be liked by others and people are in turn going to see your profile.
The likes or the views on your profile serve as a booster which will make it essential for your profile to stand out.
Also focus on other comments which will also increase the number of views and you can also put forth your thoughts about a particular subject.
It is in a way evolving your thought leadership and the way in which you think about a particular subject.
Join various groups on LinkedIn
By joining various groups on LinkedIn, you can open various professional avenues and get yourself acquainted with others.
You can increase the potential contacts there.
Add keywords especially in your summary-
Including keywords in your summary will be extremely essential.
It will boost your profile in the search engine rankings
And at the same time, it will also be good for potential employers to contact you.
When recruiters search you, they use industry-specific keywords to search you.
And these terms help you with your search engines.
Ensure that your LinkedIn profile is complete. Fill in all the relevant details and do not leave any information incorrect.
The main points which your profile should be having is-
Your industry and location
Current position as to what you are doing
You’re the highest level of education
Your main and important skills
A profile photo.