Stand Out On LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a social media platform that is centered around employment-oriented content. Founded in 2002 in the living room of co-founder Reid Hoffman’s home, the social platform ideas started flowing and came to life in 2003. The trailblazers that set this new way to connect with likeminded career individuals included Allen Blue, Konstantin Guericke, Eric Ly, and Jean-Luc Vaillant. Taking advantage of this ever-growing platform can help you stand out in your profession. Below are tips you can keep in your back pocket when growing your online presence so you stand out on LinkedIn.
Headshot and Professional Cover Photo
Ever heard of the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words”? Well, that is prominent when it comes to building a successful LinkedIn page. A professional headshot on your profile will help people find you better when they search for your name. Employers can also put a face to the name prior to an interview and it completes your profile. Stick with a professional photo. This should include no busy backgrounds and professional attire is key. Oh, and don’t forget that big smile welcoming users to your page.
Your cover page is also something you can use to add some character to your LinkedIn profile. There is a default cover photo you can use when you initially set up your account, but we suggest adding something that coincides with your job, the city you live in or is in your career realm. You can create your own LinkedIn cover photo for free on graphic creation platforms like Canva.
A Headline that Makes an Impact
Your headline can be as detailed or simple as you want. Common practices show to share your current title or role at the company you are working at. LinkedIn will automatically default your headline with the role you are currently working at, but it doesn’t have to stop there. You have up to 120 characters in your headline so you can elaborate if you so, please.
We suggest keeping your job title and then adding something extra like any special qualities or how you impact your career field. This gives the viewer of your profile a quick look into who you are with only just a glance at your profile.
About Section
The about section on your LinkedIn profile can serve as an abridged version of your resume. Here you can include a few sentences that provide a look into who you are as a professional. You can also include the role/roles you have held over the years, what your degree is in, not necessary but good to add, and a few tidbits that make you stand out.
Example: My name is Joe Smith and I am an IT Recruiter in the greater Atlanta area. I graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in business management with a minor in information technology (IT). With an immense passion for all things recruiting, my main goal is to find you the perfect job and jumpstart your career in IT.
Make Connections
On LinkedIn instead of the term followers, the platform uses connection(s). It’s great to start jumping into making connections so you can build your raptor on the platform. The more connections, the more visible your profile will be. LinkedIn has first, second, and third connections, similar to Facebook’s mutual friends feature. Through this feature and connections, you can pop up on someone else’s “My Network” page for optimal exposure. Start connecting!
Recommendations
Take a moment out of your day and get together with your colleagues. Now, start a recommendation sharing party! There is a feature on everyone’s LinkedIn where other users can endorse people for their qualities.
When you go to edit your profile, there is a link that leads you to Ask for Recommendations. You can choose from your connections and send out a request for them to endorse you for certain qualities. These recommendations will be added to your profile and it can serve as a reference page on your LinkedIn profile.
Share Like-Minded Information and Stay Active
Now that your profile is filled out completely and you have the bones of your profile created, you are ready to market yourself on LinkedIn. iR suggests keeping things professional in regard to content creation and content sharing. Try to avoid opinionated posts, politics, and personal posts.
Content to share:
- Industry News
- Company Posts (where you work)
- Company Blogs (where you work)
- Updates in Your Community
- Local Non-Profit Events
- Informational Tips for Your Field
With these tips, you can make a splash on LinkedIn and stand out among the 20 million users. Be sure to connect with iR on LinkedIn to stay in touch with job openings across the country, job searching tips, and how to stand out in your job market all year round.
Searching for a job is a fulltime job. That is where iR comes in! Let us help you find the job you love. Be sure to follow us on our social media platforms to stay in touch with new job openings, industry news, and job preparation.
