How to Optimise your LinkedIn Profile to Attract Recruiters

LinkedIn is built for business owners and professionals who are keen on networking and connecting with like-minded professionals across all industries. For many recruiters, this platform is best used to search and connect with professionals that fit the job descriptions they are looking for.

Having the recruiters contact you instead of the other way around is a good reason to learn how to optimise your LinkedIn profile. The other benefit of optimising and constantly updating your profile in this business platform is to connect with professionals and entrepreneurs that can bring value to your career now or in the future.

 

How to Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile using the Best Practices

 

1. Edit Profile Name

LinkedIn is the most professional platform among all social platforms. Make sure to edit your profile name to your actual name. By using your full name, you are enabling other members of the platform to easily search you or know that it is you who came first based on the keyword they used in the search.

 

 

2. Update Headline and Position

Update your profile headline and the current professional position. Many professionals use their current position as a headline which great if they are promoting their company. However, if you’re an applicant actively searching for a job, write a headline that will stand out and is keyword-rich.

Recruiters usually search for qualified candidates by using specific keywords like the job title or skills and expertise required for the position. Fill your headline with the right amount of keywords to have your profile end up on the first page of the search results.

 

3. Add location

Smart recruiters utilise the use of filters when sourcing for qualified candidates. The location filter is one of the important factors that sifts their search when looking for that right candidate.

This is advantageous for applicants residing within certain kilometres away from the company. By adding your current location, you are enabling yourself to be seen as a better candidate qualified for the position among a pool of applicants.

 

4. Choose Focus of Industry

This is vital for every applicant. Choosing your focus industry enables you to scale and grow your career in that particular industry. This section is as important for recruiters as it allows them to search for applicants with a background in the industry they are working for.

For example, recruiters are looking for a digital marketer with real estate focus. If you are a digital marketer focused in the real estate industry but didn’t fill this blank, then other digital marketers with the same focus that updated this section will be seen first.

 

5. Enter Educational Background

This section is one of the many advantages graduates and post-degree holders can have. Enter your educational history and additional details like the field of study and notes that can bring more value to you as an expert in your field.

 

 

6. Fill-out Contact Details

A LinkedIn member’s contact detail is the heart of his profile. Without filling in this section, recruiters won’t be able to contact you faster unless you regularly check your LinkedIn profile.

Make sure to add your mobile number, email address, and other messaging ID. There are additional things you can add to maximise this section like adding website URLs that may lead to your online portfolio, blog, and such.

 

7. Curate Summary

Every LinkedIn profile needs a summary. This section must be around 3 to 5 short paragraphs long. If you’re an applicant actively looking for a job, this section must be about the accomplishments you were able to achieve during the length of working history.

Listing your sweet victories can express that you are a hard-worker and that you are ready to work for a new company and achieve new accomplishments. This also expresses that they can expect a qualitative output from your performance.

For professionals looking to engage with like-minded people, write a summary of your professional mission, curate an overview that showcases your personality and work ethics, or compose something that will both show your personality and provide your professional mission.

 

 

8. Enumerate Experiences

List down your experiences. Maximise the description section of this section by enumerating your accomplishments and listing down your tasks for that company. The key to a successful job description is highlighting the most important responsibilities you have at that time that aligns with your current brand.

 

9. Include Licenses and Certifications

This is the same with your resume. Include all licenses and certifications you have acquired through the years – especially those that are valuable and related to your industry.

For example, it’s an advantage for writers to have certifications in creative writing and professional writing. It’s an even bigger advantage to have a postgraduate degree in writing. If you have impressive achievements like these, don’t forget to include them.

 

10. List Down Skills

List your top skills to be able to have your people endorse you. Having several professionals endorse you will add more credibility to your profile. However, ask people who you have worked with endorse you, as they know your skills better.

The best way to get endorsements aside from asking for it is by giving them first. Endorse your colleague for the skills that you know they are good at and request that they return the favour.

 

11. Select Interests

The interests listed on your profile will help LinkedIn personalise your feed for you. At the same time, recruiters will see that you are being proactive in updating yourself with the latest news and trends in your industry.

Make sure to follow people in your industry and other professionals, influencers, or companies from other industries that share insightful tips, news, and topics.

 

Additional Things to Keep in Mind when Learning How to Optimise Your Linkedin Profile

 

1. Update Profile Photo

Use a professional headshot for your profile photo. Refrain from using selfies and group shots as LinkedIn is about professionalism. Selecting images that are group photos or casual selfies can emit a sense of unprofessionalism. Make sure to use this tip to encourage other members to network and connect with you.

 

2. Change LinkedIn Background Photo

This section of your LinkedIn profile is ignored by most of its members. However, optimising this part of your profile will help you get your branding message across clearer. Visual design plus content helps create a great impression to members visiting your profile.

 

3. Add Media Attachments

Adding media attachments to your LinkedIn profile is possible. The two important sections that feature an “add media attachments” button in a profile – summary and experience. Attach files that support the content of your summary or experience. You can add your portfolio here or proof of the achievements you’ve accomplished in your previous companies.

 

4. Get Recommendations

Recommendations are online testimonials of a professional who you may have to work with, employed you, or you have employed before. These are statements of these professionals that talks about you.

Ask previous employers, supervisors, or team leaders to write you one. Like asking for a recommendation letter, giving them key bullet points of what they should write about can be helpful when they curate their recommendations for you.

5. Customise URL

Here’s a simple instruction to customise your URL: click Edit intro > click the icon of Contact info > then click Profile URL. Upon clicking, a new tab will open and at the top right you will see a link icon that says, “Edit your custom URL”.

Customise your URL using your name (linkedin.com/yourfullname). Make it as simple as possible so your link can be shared easily. It also helps recruiters navigate your URL faster compared to having a combination of numbers and letters.

 

6. Edit Visibility Settings

This is your lifeline in LinkedIn. Learning how to optimise your LinkedIn profile can go to waste if your profile privacy settings aren’t updated. To edit your profile, click “Me” icon with your profile photo at the top right corner of the page > Settings & Privacy > Edit your public profile.

You will be redirected to a profile page where you can edit what the public can see in your profile. All sections have each button that represents them and it’s on you to click which detail will show on your public profile. A quick tip: show all.

 

One Secret Tip on How to Optimise LinkedIn Profile to Grab a Recruiter’s Attention

Linkedin has a new feature to allow recruiters to see if you are actively looking for a job, open for opportunities, or closed and currently satisfied with your job position.

Click on the “Jobs” icon next to the “My Network” icon at the top right corner of your page > Career Interests. You will be redirected to a page where you can turn on a button to let recruiters know you are actively open for job openings.

Either you’re actively or passively looking for a job, simply connecting with professionals or growing your network, updating and optimising your LinkedIn profile is a must. It will allow other members to connect with you, keep you updated with the latest news and trends in your industry, and more.

Which tip have you not known about?