LinkedIn has become a crucial tool for professionals in today's digital age, offering a platform for networking, job searching, and personal branding. Making the most out of your LinkedIn presence requires planning and engagement.
Here are our best tips for using LinkedIn:
1. Optimize your LinkedIn profile.
- Your LinkedIn profile should always be up-to-date and tailored to your desired job or career goal. To keep up, we recommend updating your profile on a quarterly basis.
- Add key words throughout your profile so you can easily be found by recruiters and hiring managers.
- Make your headline more than just a job title. It should read like an elevator pitch—a concise summary about who you are, what you do, and what you’ve accomplished. LinkedIn headlines have a maximum character limit of 220.
- Just like your resume, highlight your skills and achievements throughout your LinkedIn profile. You can also include articles, presentations, or projects that you've completed.
- Lastly, turn on your profile's public visibility in your public profile setting so you can be found by recruiters and hiring managers.
2. Build your network and stay active
- Connect with people in your industry, as well as past and current colleagues.
- Join LinkedIn groups that are relevant to your work and engage in discussions with the members. This will help you build relationships and increase visibility with potential employers.
- Consistently post updates, engage with other users' content in a positive way, and share relevant industry news. This can increase your chances of being noticed.
3. Use LinkedIn during your job search
- Use LinkedIn’s job search feature to find job postings that match your goals.
- Set up job alerts to receive notifications when new jobs are posted.
- Add an #OpentoWork frame to your profile picture so recruiters and hiring managers know your status.
- Research companies and staff prior to your interview.
4. Connect with Recruiters
- A recruiter can be an excellent resource for career coaching, advice, and open job opportunities. We recommend connecting with 2-3 recruiters in your area.
- When you are connected with recruiters on LinkedIn, they will instantly be able to see your updates and any new skills or experiences that you have gained.
JustinBradley supports business professionals at every stage of their careers. Connect with a recruiter today by submitting your resume here.
