Job Hunting? Here are 5 of the Best Kept Secrets to Get a Recruiter’s Attention on LinkedIn.
Job seekers generally fall into one of three schools of thought when it comes to LinkedIn:
- It’s a great way to keep up with people and build connections!
- It’s a necessary evil but I’m not really active on it.
- It’s a waste of time. I doubt that it could help me reach my goals.
No matter which camp you’re in, if you are a job seeker, LinkedIn presents an opportunity for you to get the right story (your skills, experience, and passion) in front of the right audience (recruiters and hiring managers). We fully recommend that if you have not joined LinkedIn yet, do it today. And if you are on LinkedIn, here are five ways to get noticed by recruiters and get one step closer to your dream job.
5 Best Kept Secrets to Get a Recruiter’s Attention on LinkedIn
1. Create a clear and compelling career story. Your LinkedIn profile exists not only to give an overview of your work experience up until this point, but it should also have a clear arc based on the job you are seeking. Flesh out your LinkedIn profile keeping in mind the job you are seeking. Start by using the summary section to infuse your profile with personality and share the story of where you have been and where you are going. Keep it relevant and focused and you’ll make a strong and clear case for where you should be next.
2. Start with keywords. What are the key words that describe the job you want? In which roles have you used those skills in the past? Do you know which skills hiring managers are most looking for in your field? (You can see the most sought after skills in creative and digital marketing in the 2017 Marketing Hiring Trends Report.) Sprinkle these words into your headline and various past position descriptions where they fit. “Keywords are critical in both a resume and Linkedin profile, specifically the summary,” said McKinley Senior Recruiting Manager Gretchen Stanford. “An effective and correct way to use keywords is to create a ‘specialties’ paragraph within the profile summary.” When recruiters search for those key terms, your profile will appear in their search results.
3. Don’t forget to make a good first impression. Selfies are great—but not for LinkedIn. A professional profile photo is important. And “professional” does not mean it must be shot by a professional photographer. If you don’t have a headshot, do not be dismayed. A high-quality camera phone and good lighting can do wonders. Just make sure someone else takes it! Here are some great tips for mastering the DIY headshot.
4. Let recruiters know you are open to opportunities. This may be the biggest secret on the list. Go to LinkedIn. Click on “Privacy,” then “Job Seeking,” then flip the button to “Yes.” There is now a flag on your profile that tells only those with LinkedIn Recruiter Accounts that you are open to new positions. And while you’re at it, get familiar with the rest of your privacy settings as well. You can control how much of your information is available to people who are not connected to you. So dive in and get some control over your information.
5. Include contact information on your profile. Whether it’s social media handles or your email address, make sure there is a way to contact you outside of LinkedIn on your profile. It’s so simple that it’s easy to forget. Make sure you are easy to find.
LinkedIn presents an incredible opportunity for job seekers to set themselves apart from the pack. Start by making sure you’ve nailed these five things and you should be getting recruiters’ attention in no time.
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