Let’s face it. The competition is fierce out there when trying to find a job. With approximately 9 million people unemployed in the United States, it’s important to find ways to stand out from the crowd when looking for a new job. It might feel like a lot of work at first, but the truth is that you already have most of what you need right at your disposal. It’s about setting aside the time to flesh it out.
Read these four tips if you want to boost your LinkedIn profile to get the job you want.
1. Start With Your Main Bio and Header
The elements within your bio and header are the very first thing people see when they visit your LinkedIn profile. The main pieces you’ll want to update are your profile photo, cover photo, and headline.
Your profile photo is what people see even before they get a chance to click on your profile. You’ll want this photo to be a professional headshot, not a picture of you from your last family vacation.
Make sure viewers are able to see your face. Far away shots don’t allow people to see who you really are. Your face should be about 60% of the entire frame. You’ll also want this to be a high-quality photo. Nothing says unprofessional like a pixelated image.
For your cover photo, have this be a photo that explains more about you and your industry. If you’re a professional speaker, it might be worth having an image of you on stage with an audience. If you’re in the fitness industry, have this be an image of you teaching a class. It gives a new connection on LinkedIn the opportunity to take a deeper view into what is important to you.
Your headline, or tagline, provides you with 220 characters to tell your connections who you are and what you do. Choose those characters wisely. It should be more than just your job title. Give it something that makes you stand out from the ocean of every other job seeker on LinkedIn.
2. Build Out Your Skills and Get Them Endorsed
As someone who is looking for a job, you’ll want to capitalize on your skills. Think of your profile as an extended digital resume. Your skills should be things you actually know how to do. Just because you know how to take a picture with your phone doesn’t qualify photography as one of your skills.
Unlike a usual resume, skills listed on LinkedIn give you an opportunity to have them endorsed by your other connections on the platform. This means other people you’ve worked with can back up your credentials, giving your skills and profile more credibility.
3. Look To Your Network for Recommendations
Endorsements for your skills are a great start, but you can take it a step further through recommendations. Your LinkedIn profile is not the time to slack on your recommendations. Avoid saying the usual, “References provided upon request,” and start reaching out to your network. Recommendations can go a long way when it comes to recruiters who are looking to add to their team.
4. Update Your Licenses and Certifications
Aside from your degree, there is a section provided on LinkedIn that allows you to include other licenses and certifications. This is an incredible way to help you stand out from other applicants. It shows that you’ve taken time to go above and beyond your degree to continue your education and training within your field.
If you don’t have any to add to your profile, this might be an opportunity for you to take a look at some online courses and certification programs that could be of use to you. Not only will they boost your digital resume, but you’ll also be working on yourself to further your knowledge within the field that could play a significant role in your next job.
While the job market may be competitive, there are still several ways to find a job that is meant for you. Remember that LinkedIn is about networking and building connections as much as it is for having a great portfolio.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.