Here’s a question I often ask of job seekers: Are you using all the relevant features of LinkedIn?

Even in a strong economy with low unemployment rates, job seekers can still have challenges. Effective use of LinkedIn can increase the likelihood of landing the job you want. Your profile and several other features can really help – if you use them to your best advantage.

 

Maximizing Your LinkedIn Profile as Job Seeker

  • Photo. Be sure it’s an up-to-date head shot in which you are dressed as you would be for an interview.
  • Headline. Recruiters suggest avoiding the words “seeking new opportunities” in your LinkedIn headline. Instead, use key words from descriptions of the types of jobs you are looking to land. You can also include the types of industries where you want to work.
  • Summary (soon to be called the About section). Paint a picture of what you bring to the type of job you want to land. Avoid overused words such as “passionate about.” A quick Google search will bring up others stay away from. Use short sentences, short paragraphs, and bulleted lists to create plenty of white space, which makes it more readable. Keep in mind that most people will be using the LinkedIn mobile app. White space is even more important on a small screen.
  • Positions in the experience section. In general, this section should mirror your resume. However, you can expand a bit in the job title field (you have up to 100 characters). Include both your actual job title and a few key words or phrases to more fully describe your position.
    • Consider adding volunteer leadership positions here. This can be especially important when you’ve been out of work for a while. They show your generosity of spirit as well as your abilities. Plus, it draws attention to the entity you served or are serving. And you can only get recommendations for these if you include them here.
  • Certifications and licenses. Most people populate the education section, which covers formal education. However, not everyone thinks to add their specialized certificates and licenses.
  • Skills and endorsements. Feature the skills that are most relevant to the types of jobs you are seeking. By clicking on the pencil icon, you can change the order in which they are listed.
  • Recommendations. Have at least a couple of recent recommendations, ideally for your most recent position.
  • Accomplishments. Include any relevant organizations you belong to or used to belong to. Other useful sections to populate are honors and awards, professional development courses, projects, and languages.

 

Other Features of LinkedIn Job Seekers Should Use

  • Jobs tab. Be sure to complete all the sections within this tab, especially the note to recruiters.
  • Privacy settings. Review the settings under Job Seeking Preferences and enable the relevant settings.
  • Notifications settings. Review these settings and adjust them to fit your needs as a job seeker. For example, you might not want LinkedIn to notify you when your connections have a birthday. But likely you would want to them to notify you about their work anniversary or a new job.
  • My Network. Be sure to check your pending invites regularly. Someone at a company where you want to work or a friend with connections to recruiters might be trying to connect.
  • Messages. You might be surprised how many people reach out to you via LinkedIn messages rather than emails or calls. There might be a job tip in a message or someone writing you who works at a company you want to work for.

 

How About You?

If you used LinkedIn while you were a job seeker, what tips do you have for those currently looking for their next opportunity?

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 45 and up, to become more effective using social media, especially Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

She works with business owners, business development professionals, business consultants, job seekers, and more – ranging from entrepreneurs to people in large corporations. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.