Tips for LinkedIn


Q: Can you tell me why LinkedIn is so important and the basic ideas about that career site in reference to my resume? I think I have a basic profile, but I have not logged in for months.  

A: Great question about a great website for getting a job. If you’re presently conducting a keen job search, why not make the most of your LinkedIn profile? First of all, LinkedIn gives employers all the information they need and directs them back to your career profile in a few different ways.

Recent statistics state that 90% of hiring managers are using social media to research potential job candidates.

Here are some points of LinkedIn to consider:

LINKEDIN ADDRESS
The most common place to add your LinkedIn profile address is in the header of the first page of your resume. This gives the hiring manager a Web address to view and the opportunity to see more detailed information about who you are and your career history. If the hiring manager is going to be researching you online anyways, you might as well direct them to information that you can control. Besides, having them read your LinkedIn recommendations only reinforces the positive reputation and brand you’re trying to build!

ASKING FOR RECOMMENDATIONS is KEY!
Make sure your profile is chock-full of professional recommendations from colleagues and former supervisors. This way, when a potential employer is reviewing your profile they’ll find your recommendations, and it will only make you look all the better.

USE A CUSTOM URL
Instead of using the generic URL address that LinkedIn assigns to you, go into your profile and edit the URL so that it contains your name. This way, the URL is shorter and looks more professional on your resume. For example: www.LinkedIn.com/JohnSmith.

If you do freelance work, let's say as a graphic designer, you can create a URL with your industry of choice. Example: www.LinkedIn.com/JanetSmithGraphics.

ENSURE THAT YOUR SUMMARY IS NOT AN EXACT REPLICA OF THE SUMMARY FROM YOUR RESUME
If the employer is looking for additional information aside from that which is contained in your resume, it’s best to not repeat everything onto your LinkedIn profile, particularly the summary. Utilize additional details you did not include in your resume, and be sure to use keywords and terms that are searchable so a recruiter or hiring manager completing a search on LinkedIn can find you.

KEYWORDS
The keywords that are important for your role should be listed in your summary as well as in the skills section. The skills section allows you to type each skill one by one, and your connections can also endorse you here. For example, if you're a marketing communications professional, some important keywords are: "Brand Awareness" and "Content Creation".

POST A PROFESSIONAL PICTURE
This is probably an obvious tip, but surprisingly we see profiles with pictures that show job candidates dressed unprofessionally. Get your clubbing, night-life pictures away from LinkedIn! You wouldn't wear a tube top to a job fair, right?? (at least, we hope you're not).

There are many student photographers out there. Offer to buy them dinner in exchange for one very quick photo session in your nice suit. Also, with smartphones having such advanced cameras now, you can capture a photo simply in front of your wall at home and use those smart apps to edit the sharpness. Don't you love technology?


Brief Takeaways:

  • Use your iPhone to login to chat and connect more on your LinkedIn.
  • The summary on LinkedIn should be quite different than your resume summary.
  • Ask and offer recommendations. It's a win-win for both parties.
  • Use a nice, professional picture.
  • LinkedIn is here to stay. Take advantage of it for job prospects.


How do you use LinkedIn?



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