Through the platform, you can connect with people in your network, from co-workers to people you meet at industry conferences. Plus, it’s a way for recruiters to find you when they’re sourcing candidates. You can also expect that hiring managers may view your profile prior to interviews. Your profile is a place for you to highlight your:
Employment history Education Skills and qualifications Experience
Your LinkedIn profile can also increase your visibility online and help you build a professional brand that showcases your background to prospective employers. Spend the time to make your LinkedIn profile as comprehensive and compelling as possible. Here’s how to make your profile stand out from the crowd. Add a headshot to your LinkedIn profile. This photo should represent the “professional you,” as opposed to the “casual you.” LinkedIn isn’t the place to show off your dog or significant other. Don’t forget to make your profile public—that’s how the world can find it. Also, customizing your URL will give you a link that’s easy to share on your resume and with employers and connections. If your name is available, use it. Don’t forget to fill in the “Headline” section, since it is right at the top of the page when someone views your profile. If applicable, it is appropriate to mention key professional certifications, bilingual skills, or key accomplishments. Select an industry, because recruiters often use that field to search. If you’re unemployed, there are several strategies you can use to present your current employment circumstances. Carefully consider options before you decide what to include and when you should update your profile. To quickly create a LinkedIn profile, review your resume and copy/paste the relevant information into your profile. Employers expect your resume to be somewhat condensed and specific to the job you seek. But your LinkedIn profile should be more vast and complete. Just like you did with the “Experience” section, you can use your resume to get started with a list of skills to include. Focus on the skills that highlight your strongest assets and are most relevant to your career goals. Another approach is to read your past job descriptions or the job descriptions of jobs you seek. Include any keywords you find that are relevant to your skills and experience. One way to get recommendations is to give them. When you recommend a LinkedIn member, you are attesting to their qualifications, and people love being recommended. They will most likely reciprocate if you take the time to recommend them. Another way to get recommendations is to request them from your former bosses (so long as you still have a decent relationship with them), mentors, and/or college professors. Twenty percent of the hiring managers surveyed have made a hiring decision based on a candidate’s volunteer work experience. To add the “Volunteer Experience and Causes” field to your LinkedIn profile:
After logging in, click “Profile” at the top of LinkedIn.Click the “Add Sections” button.Select “Volunteer Experience” under the “Additional” section. Click the plus button and then fill out the applicable fields.
Click Settings (Under your profile headshot on the top right of the page)Scroll down to the section “Visibility of your LinkedIn activity,” and then look for “Share profile updates with your community.”Move the button from “yes” to “no.”
Examine all the other viewing features on this page to see if any other privacy features apply.
