Are You Using LinkedIn Correctly?

The year is 2018, and like it or not social media is here to stay. Nowadays most people use Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, and it seems like a hundred other websites and apps. However, the most important of all of these for your career is LinkedIn. A lot of people think that simply having a LinkedIn account is enough because recruiters do not actually look at them, but that could not be further from the truth. LinkedIn is often the first impression recruiters have of a candidate. That’s why it is to your benefit to spend time to ensure you have an up-to-date and engaging profile. There are common mistakes people make that give recruiters a negative impression that you want to avoid.

The Headless Business Man
As a recruiter we want to get to know you. By adding professional picture you instantly make a connection with employers and recruiters. Many people will use company logos, event dates, or brands to promote projects they are currently working on. However, this removes the human connection that social media is supposed to bring. When choosing a picture, choose a professional picture that depicts your most authentic self.  The smile and the eyes are a reflection into the heart. Always select a headshot without background clutter.

You Are Accomplished… So What
Under your company and position you have your roles and responsibilities. It is great that you recognize and celebrate your achievements, but do other people? Recommendations from past employers, and senior management are not only impressive, but they build trust. As recruiters we take recommendations at face value. If other people have recognized your accomplishments and skills, we know that you are not tooting your own horn.

Not Understanding the Value of The Secret Search Sections
You might not be aware that there are several highly searchable areas within your linked account that you should take advantage of by including your keywords and titles. It’s even OK to repeat them. The more times you repeat these keywords, the higher your profile will come out in the results page. These highly searchable sections are: Headline (120 characters under your name), Summary Field (a lot of space to work with here), Current Title (100 characters. Use all characters by including your title, but also keywords associated with the job such as: Account Director, advertising, digital, brand, multicultural…). Other searchable areas are: Company Name and Location. The more you include the keywords a recruiter would use when conducting a search, the higher you will appear in the search results.

Not Growing Your Network
You might have been led to believe that size does not matter. In the case of your LinkedIn profile, size does matter. The amount of network connections you have demonstrates your influence in the industry you are associated with. We will have a better impression of candidates who have 500 connections or more but we also understand that this might not be possible if you are just starting out in your career so we take that into consideration as long as you have a solid and complete profile that provides a clear picture of your experience and skills. It’s still important to have a few endorsements within your profile.
 
You don’t care
What is worse than not having a LinkedIn Profile? Having a LinkedIn Profile with nothing on it. We use LinkedIn to understand your work experience, and skill set. When candidates just put their work history and past positions on LinkedIn with nothing else, it is hard to tell if they have the skills employers are looking for. The more you have on your profile the more you show that you care about your career progression and the more we have to work off of.  A complete professional profile is a reflection of you and your passion for your job and skills. It’s a reflection of how much you care about yourself and how others see you. If we come across a profile that has been given no attention and has few network connections, we won’t bother to reach out to you. That’s how important it is to work on your profile and keep it updated and maintained. It’s the difference between being wooed and being ignored by recruiters.

LinkedIn is the first impression that recruiters and employers have of you. For candidates looking for a new job, LinkedIn should be a top priority for you to perfect. Not sure if you LinkedIn Profile shows your experience as well as you would like? Contact us DCAProsearch and we will work with you to make sure it meets and exceeds industry standards.