The Covid pandemic has seen a record number of people seeking a new job, but thankfully there’s one tool that could help you stand out from the crowd if you know how to use it correctly, LinkedIn!
97% of recruiters use LinkedIn to search for candidates. That’s a staggering statistic, but there are also 670 million professional profiles on there, so that’s a lot of competition! So how do you cut through that noise and stand out?
Read on for our top 10 tips on mastering LinkedIn job hunting
Prepare: You’ve lost your job, the first thing you might be tempted to do is jump on LinkedIn and start making fast and furious changes! Don’t! You need to plan your pitch, consider your tone and present the best version of you.
Things to consider:
- Why should future employers invest in you?
- What positive outcomes have you achieved in your present role?
- What is your USP?
- What expertise do you have that others don’t?
- What makes you stand out from the crowd?
Keyword research: LinkedIn is a digital platform so approach it as such and you’ll see some positive outcomes. Consider the words recruiters will be using to search for your ideal job and make sure you include them in your profile. LinkedIn’s AI will be scanning your profile and deciding whether to push you up the rankings or not. If your profile is lacking these keywords, prepare to be invisible.
Smile for the camera: The first thing recruiters will look at is your photo, so make sure it looks professional and inviting. A quick snap taken against the fridge on a dingy Tuesday night is not going to make you stand out from the crowd!
Stand out with a great headline: Try something different, don’t just go with the flow. Include as many keywords as possible and try to make it personal.
Location: Try to include where you want to work rather than just where you live. This will make sure the right recruiters find you.
About you: This section allows to write about 300 words, use them! Write a draft in word before you upload it to your page. Write it in the first person, use powerful, positive language, include as many keywords as possible and emphasise your skills and successes. You want any recruiters to come away from reading this thinking you need to be at the top of the pile of candidates.
Be selective: You might have a long and varied career but not all of it is relevant now. Cherry-pick your experience to make sure only the very best makes it on to the page. No one wants to know you were a shelf stacker in your local supermarket in 2005!
Do your skills homework: There are 50 spaces in this section, so use them or lose them! Do keyword research and check other professionals on LinkedIn. Use different connotations of the same thing.
Get around a career break:Don’t be scared to mention this. For some employers it can be a positive. Make sure you suggest you’ve used your time off productively and highlight any new skills or attributes you gained during your sabbatical.
Personalise your URL: In the public profile section change the string of numbers to something more personal.
Get connected: If you haven’t used LinkedIn for a while then it’s not just a case of updating your profile and then they will come. You need to engage with your connections. You need at least 500 well-ranked connections to play the LinkedIn robot game. Delete personal groups that may reflect badly on you and join professional bodies and networking groups in your industry. Also, follow industry influencers. LinkedIn is primarily a networking site so start working that virtual room.
Turn it on: Activate LinkedIn Jobs and indicate that you are open to work. You can choose to share this with your whole network.
Ask for some favours: You’ll need some endorsements so ask past colleagues, clients and your managers, if applicable, for their reviews.
Keep calm and carry on: It’s not easy job hunting but stay calm and use your downtime wisely. Take some online training courses, keep up-to-date with industry news and share any interesting articles, infographics etc. on your page. If you stay engaged recruiters will think you are committed to your chosen career.
