In our increasingly digital world, and with many employers currently hiring for a wide range of positions, effective usage of LinkedIn can really help you stand out from the crowd and enable you to land a great job.
Not sure how to get the most out of LinkedIn? I’ve got you covered! Read the tips below, so that you can catch potential employers’ interest and move up in your career:
1) Get a professional headshot: Unlike traditional resumes, one way that LinkedIn differs is that you have the opportunity to include a photo of yourself (which is something that you should do). Ensure you use a professional-looking headshot – you don’t need to pay a professional photographer for a photo, but you should make sure you look well-dressed, that the lighting is good, and smile!
2) Grow and engage with your network: Just as you might be familiar with social media websites like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, LinkedIn is considered one too. However, LinkedIn is a site for professionals, and it would help for you to familiarize yourself with how others typically engage here. Like other social media websites, it is a good idea to try and grow your network, so that you come across more job opportunities. By taking the time to engage and connect with others, you show potential employers that you’re constantly learning, and in doing so, you’re building a brand for yourself.
3) Get recommendations: This is one of the easiest ways to stand out from the crowd. It shows that someone genuinely enjoyed working with you enough, that they’re personally endorsing you and highlighting what makes you a great person or employee. One way to get others to recommend you, is if you recommend them yourself as they’re likely to return the favour. Otherwise, don’t be shy and reach out to those who you’ve worked with in the past and ask if they could take the time to endorse some of your skills.
4) Keep your page up-to-date: Try not to neglect your LinkedIn page. While it can certainly be time-consuming, by ensuring your page is up-to-date, you can continue to highlight your ever-growing skills and stumble upon new opportunities. If your LinkedIn page looks inactive, recruiters will be less inclined to reach out to you for potential job interviews.
5) Write a compelling summary: Your summary (the “About” section) is a chance to really talk about who you are. It’s also one of the first pieces about you that other LinkedIn users see when they stumble onto your profile or search for you. This is an opportunity to stand out from the competition and it’s a good idea to be creative here, in a way you normally can’t be with the traditional resume.
With these 5 tips, you are now better equipped with the knowledge to advance your career. Now go out there, and update (or create) your LinkedIn page!
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