Make Your LinkedIn Profile Stand Out Against the Crowd
Your LinkedIn Page is one of the most efficient tools no matter where you are in your job search. With nearly 2 million Irish people recorded with a LinkedIn page in 2022, LinkedIn is the largest online networking platform for job seekers, hiring managers, and businesses alike. So, if you need some help to level up your LinkedIn page, keep reading.
Include a Professional Headshot
Firstly, the most simple but effective thing for you to do is to upload a profile picture. This will be the first thing that page viewers will see when they visit your page, so set a good impression.
- Although having a professional photo is important, you do not seek out a photography company to have it taken.
- Depending on the industry you work in it depends on how creative you can be but here are our best tips on how to take your own headshot:
Use a tripod or get a second pair of steady hands. Selfies are a no-go.
Dress for the occasion. Wear something that isn’t distracting. Try to wear neutral colors. Wear what you would wear to work.
Make sure your face takes up most of the frame. Your profile picture should be taken or cropped from the shoulders up.
Eye-Catching Headline
Your headshot and headline are the first things people see when they visit your page. Your headline is another vital part to get right when creating your LinkedIn page.
- So how do you want to write about yourself in around 250 characters? Of course, your job but you can certainly get creative when writing your headline. Include not only your job title but your passions.
What makes you want to get up in the morning?
What makes you tick?
Include this.
Write Your Story
Use your summary to write a quick snapshot about yourself. The human attention span is very short, so remember, writing a striking summary in 2000 characters is important.
- Remember to include your relevant experience as well as your key learnings throughout your career. Highlight your unique selling point.
What makes you different from other job seekers out there?
Why would a hiring manager or a recruitment agency pick you over a different candidate?
These are other valuable points to include when writing your story.
Use the Right Buzzwords
Throughout your LinkedIn page, we recommend using keywords relevant to your industry and future career. For example, a Marketing Professional may use the following keywords on their LinkedIn profile; ‘social media’ ‘digital marketing’ ‘Google AdWords’ ‘market research’, and the list goes on.
Companies use LinkedIn Recruiter, an application that allows consultants to search for candidates based on keywords in their profiles. Saying that, the right keywords are vital in your LinkedIn profile when hiring managers are looking for the right people to fill certain roles.
Highlight your Career & Skills
This is the section where you can show off your experience, your skills, and what you are capable of. The experience section is like your CV but not exact.
- Showcase some of your key career moments and note them in bullet points.
- Highlight successful projects you have worked on.
- Feature your career highlights which you are proud of.
As said before, the human’s attention span for reading is about 8 seconds so feature the most exciting moments of your career in this section.
Finally, you are more likely to be reached out when all sections of your profile are completed. So make sure to fill in every section of your LinkedIn profile. This will unlock the all-star level on LinkedIn and will therefore set you up for success in the long term.
