An Authentic LinkedIn Profile is the Key to Your Job Search!

While it is becoming more used by many, LinkedIn is still a relatively untapped resource for many job seekers. Your LinkedIn profile is extremely important to clearly show people why you are an expert at what you do and share valuable information with your network. However, there is a fine line between a real, authentic LinkedIn profile and appearing boastful or pretentious.

At Visium, our recruiters probably view over a hundred profiles each week, and we often hear that most people are not displaying and sharing enough information.

This puts them at a distinct disadvantage when someone is comparing them to others in the same or similar position.

If you need to beef up your authentic LinkedIn profile and boost your expert status, here are seven simple ways to accomplish that…

1. Recommendations

While it does take time, and can sometimes be a bit nerve-wracking, to secure recommendations, it will always be worth the effort. When someone views your profile nothing is better to differentiate you from others when people compare you to your competitors. Not only this, but you will undoubtedly receive many positive comments about the quality of your recommendations—which should lead to new opportunities.

2. Skills and Related Endorsements

This feature has great value. You can display what you’re an expert at, and, if done correctly, it will help you get to the top of the list when people are looking for your specific skills and expertise. Make sure you are reviewing and adding skills and asking for endorsements from your network as much as possible. It's an even faster ask than recommendations, but can still be a boost to your profile!

3. Adding Media

LinkedIn added an area to pin content to the top of your profile. These pinned posts are great places to display or link to documents (Word, Excel, and pdf), videos, PowerPoint presentations, blog entries, and photos that allow the readers to see for themselves the depth of your expertise.

4. Add an Experience Entry for an Industry Leadership Position

If you hold or have held an office or position in an industry-related association or organization, highlight that fact by adding an additional current or past job experience entry to your profile. Also, share specific details about your responsibilities. Also, if you’re a speaker at your association’s events or a contributor to their newsletter or blog, share that as well.

5. Accomplishments Profile Sections

While it can sometimes feel a bit like bragging, don’t be afraid to add these special profile sections! Make sure to include details related to each entry. Remember, no one else is going to tell your full story! If you don’t list any accomplishments on your profile, people may assume you don’t have any at all!

6. Individual Status Updates

Stay active! The LinkedIn algorithm doesn't bombard your followers with every status or update your post. Because of this, it is important that you share your best resources regularly. This also gives people who are new to your network an opportunity to see your best stuff. Don't worry too much about reposting content; if it is valuable posting those resources every few months, with updated information if needed, will allow it to reach more people.

7. Publish an Article

This is perhaps the most effective way to share your thought leadership. LinkedIn has been pushing article content lately. Writing an article on LinkedIn is like having your own blog, except even better because your network is notified whenever you post an article. And because it stays on your profile, people will see your expertise on display whenever they visit your profile.

Don’t let your competitors get an advantage over you.

Use a real, authentic LinkedIn profile to proudly display who you are, what you have done, and what you have to offer. Properly utilized, a stand-out profile can be a key to getting the job opportunity you are searching for!