Top 10 Linkedin profile tips to get you your next job
With over 12 million Australians now flexing a LinkedIn profile, it’d be a lost opportunity to not use the site for career growth and networking. A platform dedicated to helping people with job searches, recruitment, and personal branding – LinkedIn has brandished itself as the leading social media network for those looking to bolster themselves professionally.
Below, we break down our top 10 LinkedIn profile tips to help you land your next job, and how training with Upskilled can help.
What factors should you consider when finding a job?
Common keywords related to your desired job or industry
When writing up your LinkedIn profile, be sure to take note of popular keywords relevant to your desired field. For instance, if you’re seeking opportunities as an IT programmer, you’d want to use terms such as “Javascript”, “HTML”, “SQL”, and “database”, among others – words often searched for by recruiters hiring in the field.
However, avoid going overboard with empty buzzwords such as “innovative”, “hardworking”, and “motivated” when describing yourself as a potential candidate. No one on LinkedIn will readily admit they aren’t these traits, and being such commonly used descriptors, employers are likely to glaze over them, anyway.
Consider your current skillset
Think about the skills your potential employers are looking for, and whether they match up to those you currently have in your toolset. Be sure to brandish these in your profile (with the appropriate keywords), as this can help you more easily draw the attention of recruiters.
If you find your current skillset lacking, then it may be time to consider further training or qualification. Plenty of online courses, workshops, and certifications are currently available (such as those offered by Upskilled), to help you build on your current expertise for greater career opportunities.
Take note of your accomplishments
When detailing your strengths and previous experiences, take care in mentioning your career accomplishments as well. This can be weaved in with previous job descriptions – for example, when explaining what your past duties were and how you performed, be sure to also detail your results and how they made a significant impact on your team or company.
If you can, try and quantify these achievements as well. Numbers can add a little more specificity to what you’ve accomplished, and allows employers to see the scope of your successes.
Examine your current connections
Finding job isn’t all about what you know, but who you know, as well. Consider any current industry connections you may have, such as previous co-workers, bosses, or friends within the field. Such people may be able to put in a good word for you or recommend pathways to new opportunities.
LinkedIn is the ideal social media platform for expanding your professional network, with features that enable you to easily connect with those at companies or jobs you’re interested in. Take the time to follow key figures in your field, and maybe even shoot them a message or two – you never know who may open doors to the next step of your career.
Determine your current interests
Finally, on top of your current professional milestones, be sure to take note of your personal interests too. Perhaps they’ve evolved over the course of your career, and you might be seeking an industry change? Or maybe you’ve built up enough experience to start pursuing higher-level, managerial opportunities?
Whatever the case, it’s important to factor in what you currently want alongside what you’ve achieved. This can help you make the appropriate pivots in your career path, if necessary.
What is the best way to find a new job?
Keep your profile relevant and updated
Though it may be tempting to fill your profile with every job role you’ve ever had, tailoring these to your desired pathways is a must. Be sure to only include those related to the industry and opportunities you’re after, and take the time to keep your profile as updated and current as possible. This includes sharing any recent professional events you may have attended, the latest articles you may have published, or even simply any industry insights you find interesting.
Hook their attention from the start
When fashioning your LinkedIn profile, you’d want to capture recruiter attention immediately. This involves placing your most important skills, accomplishments, and experiences at the topmost part of your profile – ensuring employers are hooked by these achievements from the very beginning.
Those scouting on the platform are typically busy filtering through thousands of other profiles, so it’s important to build one that stands out instantly.
Seek out strong recommendations
As mentioned, leveraging your connections are a highly recommended way of seeking new job opportunities. At the same time, they can also be used to boost your value in the job market.
Take the time to find previous colleagues, employers, or clients who are willing to endorse your skills or write up glowing testimonials for your LinkedIn profile. Just as these do well to strengthen a typical resume, they’ll also help bolster the quality and presence of your LinkedIn portfolio.
Include professional photos
All professional profiles on LinkedIn include an eye-catching headshot and cover photo. Don’t underestimate the value of these images, as they help create a strong first impression for potential employers.
Be sure to use a crisp professional headshot and a cover photo that showcases your personal brand. Examples of popular cover photos include a picture of you at work, a customized banner with words (such as a list of your key skills or accomplishments), or a stock photo relevant to your career path.
Proofread for any errors
As with resumes, take the time to proofread for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Recruiters value employees who are detail-oriented, as this is often a defining trait of professionalism.
If necessary, you can also seek out browser extensions or apps that help you proofread or polish text as you write them out on your LinkedIn profile. Tools such as Grammarly not only help you pinpoint overlooked typos and spelling mistakes, but can also help you improve clarity and word choice in your writing.
How long would it take to find a job?
The amount of time it would take to find a job often depends on one’s financial situation, current skillset, and recent career experience. There is therefore no set timeframe for every job hunt, though some experts recommend doubling the average one takes to find a job in their area – granting them extra leeway to plan and navigate their period of unemployment.
For example, according to executive coach Renata Bernade, the average worker in Sydney currently takes an average of 13 weeks. Job hunters should then plan to search for 26 weeks before their next role.
Though there may be certain jobs that require no degrees or little experience, extra training and certification can always go a long way. Rapidly evolving industries, such as those in the world of tech, are constantly on the search for those with upgraded qualifications and experiences.Fortunately, job-seekers now have the convenience of online courses and training to help build their skills through flexible and affordable means.
Upskilled is one such provider that offers a wide selection of online training courses, helping professionals get qualified from the comfort of their own home. Gain skillset you need at a time, place, and pace that suits you best – and enquire with us on a course today.
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