Increase the Visibility of Your LinkedIn Profile
Did you know that in our 2020 Salary Survey we found that over 80% of Employers listed Networking as their top way to find talent? In addition, we found that over 60% of recruiters said they found better candidates through LinkedIn vs. traditional job boards.
Now don’t mistake that statement for an excuse to stop applying to jobs on boards. But if you want an edge on your peers, make sure you have a LinkedIn profile that sells.
There are three important components this article will discuss pertaining to your profile. Your headline, your cover photo, and the use of keywords.
If you're like most professionals, you have a LinkedIn profile.
And if you're like most professionals, your LinkedIn profile is probably not getting the traction it should be. Why? Because most people don't know how to optimize their profiles for maximum visibility.
Here are some simple tips to increase the visibility of your LinkedIn profile:
1. Use keywords in your profile. When people search for professionals on LinkedIn, they use keywords. If your profile doesn't include the right keywords, it's unlikely to appear in search results. So take some time researching the right keywords for your industry and ensuring they're included in your profile.
2. Make sure your profile is complete. A completed LinkedIn profile is much more likely to appear in search results than an incomplete one. So take the time to fill out every profile section, including your work history, education, and skills.
3. Connect with other professionals. LinkedIn is a network, so the more connections you have, your profile will likely be seen. Reach out to other professionals in your industry and connect with them on LinkedIn.
4. Join relevant groups. LinkedIn groups are a great way to connect with others in your industry and increase the visibility of your profile. Look for groups that are relevant to your industry or field and join them. Once you're a member, participate in discussions and post content that showcases your expertise.
5. Use social media to promote your LinkedIn profile. Social media is a great way to share your LinkedIn profile with a wider audience. When you post content on social media, include a link to your LinkedIn profile so people can easily find it.
By following these tips, you can increase the visibility of your LinkedIn profile and get more exposure for your professional brand.
This is one of the, if not the, most important part of your LinkedIn profile. This is the maker or breaker in whether a recruiter views your profile. It also is a major factor in LinkedIn’s search algorithm which determines if you even show up in a recruiter’s search.
Most people mention their current job title and company. This is the most common type of headline and does nothing to sell your value or make you stand out from your competition. When someone searches for a job title they will see 50+ people with the exact same headline. You’re just another member of the crowd.
Although it may seem natural, avoid writing things like “Seeking Opportunities” or “Currently Unemployed.” You’re killing your visibility. No recruiter is searching for “seeking opportunities,” we promise. There is a place to let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities by selecting the option on your profile. Your headline is not the place, however. Even if a recruiter isn’t using LinkedIn to find you, you can almost guarantee before you land the job, someone at the company is going to view your profile, so make it stand out.
The first part of your headline should be filled with keywords that describe your role and responsibilities. Remember that LinkedIn is just like Google – it’s a search engine. LinkedIn allows for 120 characters in your headline, so make good on each one of them. A good goal is to have 3-6 keywords that match what recruiters are looking for. In the sample above, we made use of “Cost,” “Accountant,” “Aerospace,” and “Savings.” If you’re unsure what keywords are in demand, that’s where Optim comes in. Our Career Advisors are up to date with all the in-demand skills. Ask one!
LinkedIn Keywords to Boost Visibility
it's unlikely to come up in search results. So take some time researching the right keywords for your industry and ensuring they're included in your profile.
When you include keywords in your LinkedIn profile, you increase the chances that people will find you when they search for professionals in your industry. By taking the time to research the right keywords and including them in your profile, you can make it more likely that people will find you when they need someone with your skills and experience.
The second part of your headline should show the value you bring in the form of a measurable, quantifiable result. If you’ve already built a killer resume, you should have all this already there. Pick one! Some examples could be, streamlining a process, analysis that lead to increased revenue or savings, reducing DSO, etc. You get the idea.
Imagine the power if a recruiter saw one of these headlines instead of the typical ones shown in the next image.
Cost Accountant at Bonnie Aerospace | Driving Cost Savings by 42% YOY
Accounts Receivable | Manufacturing | Credit & Collections | Reducing DSO to under 20 days
Let’s take a minute and talk about keywords some more because they’re incredibly important to get seen.
LinkedIn is a search engine just like Google or Indeed. When a recruiter searches for candidates on LinkedIn, they type in a combination of keywords and LinkedIn searches for the most relevant profiles. Keywords are how they determine where you fall in the lineup. The best recruiters will continue refining their searches until they come up with a narrow pool of 50-100 candidates, so it’s your job to ensure you utilize keywords in your headline and throughout your profile to show up in those searches.
If a recruiter searches for an Aerospace Cost Accountant, they may use the keywords “Cost Accountant” and “Aerospace” or “Aerospace Manufacturing” along with other criteria. In this case “Cost Accountant” and “Aerospace” would be the keywords. Those who frequently mention those keywords in their profile and include them in key areas such as their headline will appear at the top.
2. Make sure your profile is complete.
If you want your LinkedIn profile to be found by others, it's important to ensure it is complete. That means filling out every section, including your work history, education, and skills. The more information you include, the more likely you appear in search results. So take the time to complete your profile and make it as informative as possible.
To ensure your LinkedIn profile works for you, it's important to keep it up-to-date and complete. A completed LinkedIn profile is much more likely to appear in search results than an incomplete one. So take the time to fill out every profile section, including your work history, education, and skills. Completing your profile ensures potential employers or customers can find you easily and learn more about your professional background.
In addition to filling out all the sections of your profile, you should also add a professional photo. This will help people put a face to a name and make it more likely that they'll remember you. If you don't have a professional photo, consider hiring a photographer or taking a friend's help to get a good headshot.
Finally, don't forget to update your profile regularly. As you gain new experience or complete new projects, be sure to add them to your profile. This will keep your information current and show potential employers that you're always looking to improve your skills.
By following these tips, you can make sure your LinkedIn profile is working hard for you. So take the time to complete and update your profile today!
3. Connect with other LinkedIn professionals.
LinkedIn is a great way to connect with other professionals in your industry. Connecting with others can increase your chances of being seen by potential employers. To connect with others, simply reach out and send a request. LinkedIn also allows you to join groups, which is another great way to connect with like-minded individuals. By joining groups, you can participate in discussions, view job postings, and more. LinkedIn is a powerful tool that can help you connect with others and further your career. So what are you waiting for? Get connected today!
Reach out to other professionals in your industry and connect with them on LinkedIn. By connecting with more people, you'll increase the visibility of your profile and be more likely to be seen by potential employers or clients. Plus, you never know when a connection might come in handy!
4. Join relevant LinkedIn groups.
LinkedIn groups are a great way to connect with others in your industry and increase the visibility of your profile. Look for groups that are relevant to your industry or field and join them. Once you're a member, participate in discussions and post content that showcases your expertise. This is a great way to build connections, grow your network, and position yourself as an expert in your field.
If you want to connect with others in your industry and increase the visibility of your profile, LinkedIn groups are a great way to do so. Look for groups that are relevant to your industry or field and join them. Once you're a member, participate in discussions and post content that showcases your expertise. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers or clients and to build up your professional network.
5. Use social media to promote your LinkedIn profile.
Social media is a great way to share your LinkedIn profile with a wider audience. When you post content on social media, include a link to your LinkedIn profile so people can easily find it. When you're looking for a job, one of the best places to start is LinkedIn. This professional networking site can help you connect with potential employers, learn more about companies you're interested in, and find job postings that fit your skill set.
But what's the best way to use LinkedIn when you're job hunting? One great tip is to promote your LinkedIn profile on social media.
When you post content on social media, be sure to include a link to your LinkedIn profile. This will make it easy for potential employers or recruiters to find your profile and see all your qualifications.
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and includes all the relevant information about your work history and skills.
What if I’m unemployed or a recent grad with no experience?
What about if you’re between jobs or have a huge gap in your work history? First, please don’t use things like “Seeking New Opportunities” or “Actively Looking for….” Nobody is searching for those things and it doesn’t make anyone want to read more. Use this space to focus on your skills and value. Here is an example:
What about if you’re a recent grad? Here are some ideas:
Accounting Student | Future Staff Accountant | USMC Veteran
Cal State Student May 2020 | Cost Accounting | IMA Member | Data Analyst
LinkedIn Cover Photos
Like your headline, cover photos can play an important part in your chances of being called for a potential job opportunity. Although they don’t appear initially in search results, if your headline has done its job, this is the next most important item that can impact recruiters and hiring managers. People are more likely to remember what they see than reading, so your cover photo is important. If you’re using a default cover photo -stop. You’re missing a huge opportunity to stand out. This section will discuss some important things you should know about cover photos.
The best LinkedIn cover photos are those that accurately reflect the person or company behind the profile. A good cover photo can make a big difference in terms of getting noticed and making a good impression.
When choosing a LinkedIn cover photo, there are a few things to remember. First, the image should be high quality and professional looking. This is not the place for personal photos or amateurish-looking images. Second, the cover photo should be relevant to your business or industry. It should give viewers an idea of what you do and what you're about.
Third, LinkedIn cover photos should be eye-catching and visually appealing. They should be designed to grab attention and stand out from the rest. fourth, and finally, they should be consistent with the overall look and feel of your LinkedIn profile.
Your LinkedIn cover photo is one of the first things people will see when they visit your profile, so it's important to make a good impression. Follow these tips to choose a great LinkedIn cover photo that accurately represents you or your business.
LinkedIn Picture Formatting
Make sure it is 1,584 x 396 pixels for the best quality
If your cover photo is larger or smaller, maintain a 129:8 aspect ratio
Don’t exceed a file size of 4mb
You can use PNG, JPG and GIF files.
Go for high quality and high resolution.
LinkedIn Picture Mobile Friendly
A majority of people will view your profile on their mobile devices. Think about it, how often do you use LinkedIn or other social media on your phone? Your cover photo may look great across the computer screen, but it will shrink on a mobile device, so be sure to check out the view on both. You don’t want important information in your cover photo covered by your profile picture.
Ideally, your cover photo injects some personality but is something that helps flesh out your story and speaks to you as a person. Recruiters and hiring managers love to see that there’s a real human over there. Here are some ideas to think about:
A picture of you volunteering.
A picture of you doing an extracurricular like climbing a mountain or running a 5K.
A picture of your city or another city for that matter.
It will take a lot of thought, but once you’ve narrowed it down, head over to Unsplash to download hundreds of high-quality photos for free. Just give kudos to the author. You can even throw some text on top of a photo. There are plenty of photo editors out there, like Canva if you want to jazz it up. Canva even offers over 1,000 cover photo templates to get you started for free.
Using LinkedIn to connect and find your next job- Conclusion
Most people know LinkedIn as a platform for connecting with other professionals and sharing content related to their industry. However, LinkedIn can also be used as an extremely powerful tool for job seekers. In fact, LinkedIn has become one of the most popular ways to find a new job.
There are a few reasons why LinkedIn is such a great platform for job seekers. First, LinkedIn allows you to connect with potential employers and recruiters directly. This means that you can reach out to them and introduce yourself without having to go through any middlemen.
Second, LinkedIn provides an excellent way to showcase your professional skills and experience. Your profile on LinkedIn can act as your online resume, and you can use it to highlight your best qualities and accomplishments.
Finally, LinkedIn is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest job openings in your field. By connecting with other professionals and subscribing to industry-specific groups, you can easily see new job postings as they become available.
If you’re looking for a new job, don’t forget to leverage the power of LinkedIn. Using this platform effectively lets you connect with potential employers, showcase your skills, and stay up-to-date on the latest job openings.