LinkedIn is a great tool that job seekers can use to research companies, find out more about available positions and seek out recruiters from companies of interest. When I searched for jobs a few months ago, I used LinkedIn for just about everything!
Simply Hired offered some great tips on their blog about how to tailor you LinkedIn profile to better position and brand yourself.
Picture – Add a picture of yourself that shows you looking professional. Do not include inappropriate photos, photos of you with others, or an image not of yourself.
Headline – In a brief phrase, describe what you do or the opportunity that you are looking for. This is the first thing a recruiter may see, as it is on the top of your profile, so make yourself stand out!
Summary – This is a great way to give others a sense of your background and to highlight important experience from your work history.
Specialties – Here, you can specifically call out skills, interests and particular experience factors you have gained, which shows recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn your strongest suits.
Experience – This portion of your profile is basically your resume. Include not only places of work and dates, but go into detail of what you accomplished or were responsible for in that role.
Education – Include your alma maters and an focuses, along with awards, interests and activities.
Recommendations – After connecting with your friends, family, colleagues and others in your network, ask them to recommend your work at past employers. Instead of listing references when applying to a new job, you could refer them to your profile to see all the great things your co-workers said of you!
Additional Information – Finally, this section allows you to enter any information not included in your profile above, such as websites, interests, LinkedIn group membership, honors and contact settings. If you are interested in learning about job opportunities, be sure to highlight it here!
Even if you are not in the market for a job, I recommend you join LinkedIn and update your profile frequently to use as a Networking tool. Building your personal brand is a lifelong process-not just when you're in need of something!
XOXO
