12 ways your LinkedIn profile will help you get a new job

Have you updated your LinkedIn profile recently? Your LinkedIn profile is your shop window to recruiters and potential employers, and the first place which potential recruiters will look when they are considering contacting you. This is the second half of our article on how your LinkedIn profile can help in your job search. You can read part one here. 7. Recommendations Most social networking sites have an ability for members to collect recommendations and testimonials. LinkedIn is no different – and your recommendations are very prominently displayed. Do take the time to ask your clients and colleagues to recommend you on LinkedIn. For example, after I finish a coaching relationship I ask my client if they are willing to write me a LinkedIn testimonial. A bunch of positive recommendations can often be the deciding factor between being rung up by a recruiter. 8. Make it consistent Recruiters will do online searches for you, BEFORE they decide whether to call you. Consistency just like integrity and reliability is very important in the online world. Make sure the messages on your website, Twitter biography, (business) Facebook page and other online sites you maintain a profile are all consistent. For example, you should use the same avatar for each online profile. 9. Keywords Search Engine Optimisation is very important on LinkedIn. Annoying, but true I’m afraid. Your profile on LinkedIn is about to become your electronic resume.  This means that all the keywords that you put in the ‘electronic’ version of your CV need to be liberally scattered through your LinkedIn profile.  For example, do remember to put an industry in your professional summary because recruiters often use that field to search for potential. [sc name=LinkedInProfile] 10. Update your status regularly LinkedIn can be your very own micro-PR machine. Regularly tell potential employers and recruiters what you have achieved, or are doing in the course of your normal working life. For example, tell people about great client wins, new recommendations, product or service launches, networking meetings you are attending. Recruiters are looking for evidence that you are keeping your LinkedIn profile active and up to date. Do remember to update the content in your LinkedIn profile regularly. For example, you should refresh your profile at least once a quarter. You are more likely to show up in the LinkedIn updates if you regularly update your status and general profile. If you are actively (and openly) looking for a new role, then sprinkle your updates with phrases such as this: “Sam is looking for a new senior audit manager position in London. Who do you know who may be hiring?” “David is ready for his next senior associate position. Who can you introduce me to?” 11. Add more content You will achieve more with LinkedIn the more content-rich you make it. So do use the experience section to explain what each company you worked for did and what you did there. Remember to include any board, advisory or voluntary positions. For the qualification section, do add in context to each qualification you quote, such as why you went there and what value it may or may not bring to your professional or business life. 12. Make sure you are open for business If you are on LinkedIn and using it to look for a job, you DO want to be found. Common sense really! Make sure your contact settings are set to include, career opportunities, consulting offers, new ventures, job inquiries, reference requests. Make sure your profile is public, and as suggested earlier, customize your public profile URL so that it contains your name. Our free downloads on advancing your career have lots of advice on how to move on and move up!