How to stand out on LinkedIn
When looking to move into a new role, one of the most valuable tools to hand is your LinkedIn profile. After your resume, this is often one of the first places a recruiter may look to gauge how well-suited you may be for a role. So, what can you do to refine and perfect your LinkedIn profile so that you stand out from the crowd? Here are our top tips to help you do just that.
Use a Decent Headshot
Your LinkedIn profile photo is the first thing people will notice when they see your profile. Be sure to select a good-quality photograph that presents you in a professional manner. Putting a face to the name will make you more approachable and give more appeal to your profile.
Gripping Headline
LinkedIn’s default settings will set your headline automatically to your current job title. However, you can edit this to help your profile stand out further. Add extra details about your speciality and what it is you do. You can tailor this to who your target audience is. Do you want your profile to stand out to industry peers, customers or hiring managers?
Visual Media
Be creative with your profile, and add a banner image that reinforces who you are and what you do. Use a variety of different media in your posts. If all you ever post is text, your feed will look rather dull. Try and include both photos and videos where you can to create something more visually appealing and give more variety to your profile. You can now also add a cover video to your profile; this is a great resource to make use of. Your cover video is a 30-second introductory clip in which you can share your skills and experience with your network in a short, easily digested video clip.
Build Connections
The more connections you gain on your LinkedIn profile, the more likely you will be to appear in searches. Connect with anyone you know in a professional manner, whether it’s individuals you have worked with directly or have met at events. If you are looking to connect with professionals you have not met, drop them a note to introduce yourself and explain why you would like to connect. Joining groups that are relevant to your industry is another great way to interact with like-minded professionals and increase your connections. Aim to exceed 500 connections, which will give your profile more credibility.
Recommendations and Endorsements
Gaining recommendations and endorsements on your profile is vital to standing out and showing employers what others think of your work. Don’t be shy about requesting recommendations from previous and current bosses, colleagues and customers, as this will really help to elevate your profile. Be sure to give recommendations and endorsements to others also - what goes around comes around.
Be Active
Finally, possibly the most important thing is to be active on your profile. You may have built the best profile going, detailing all the amazing things you have achieved in your career, but if you are not active and present, it will be wasted. Aim to post at least three times a week. Keep up with what others are posting and engage with their content.