LinkedIn has gone from strength to strength in the last number of years and consequently plays a pivotal part in the hiring process for candidates. Ensure your profile is looking its best to impress a potential employer. Shortcomings that can be off-putting for a potential employer include: spelling and grammar mistakes, poor layout and clutter, overselling yourself and duplicating employment.
What to watch out for:
Company Brands
When starting a new job, it’s always good to add the employer company brand to your personal profile. However, too many company brands listed on your profile can look like there is a lot of job hopping so be careful!
Privacy Issues
Always make sure you adjust your privacy settings on LinkedIn. Failing to do so may result in awkward situations such as your employer realizing you are actively job seeking. You may also want to check if your profile is selected as anonymous or not when viewing other profiles.
Profile Picture
Your profile picture is often the first impression employers will get of you. Always keep your profile picture simple and professional. When in doubt, consider getting a professional set of headshots taken. Sometimes, LinkedIn representatives will take a free professional headshot of you if they are conducting career seminars in your local area.
Leverage your profile:
Showcase your strengths
Taking time to develop your profile is very important. It will not only stop recruiters sending you roles that may be out of line with your career progression but most importantly, it will attract the right opportunities that you want to engage with.
Working with a recruiter
If you choose to connect and work with a recruiter, then remember it is a two-way street. Having a clear forecast of where you want your career to go, divulging as much relevant information as possible and being honest with your recruiter will always pay off for you!
Publishing content
Growing your network is hugely beneficial and a great way of getting the conversation started can be by publishing blogs or articles to establish you as a thought leader in your industry. It increases your visibility to a wider network and allows people to add you as a connection.