8 Tips To Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

If you’ve read our CV vs LinkedIn post you know that both are the key to landing your next role. But unlike the chicken and the egg conundrum, in most cases, the LinkedIn profile will come first! LinkedIn is the first port of call most recruiters will use when filling their roles, so make sure your profile isn’t being overlooked by taking some time to read our top tips on how to improve your LinkedIn profile and making it work for you.

Don’t worry, we’re not about to suggest you enroll in a 5 hour a day master-class! Getting your LinkedIn profile to work harder for you doesn’t have to take up much time, you can do little tasks daily to get yours up to date and make sure it stays that way.

If like many, you set up your profile and then never logged in again you might be wondering if you’re bothered, however, consider LinkedIn one big database for recruiters and like with all databases, it’s important they’re kept up to date. So while you may not be actively looking for a role now, you’ll be thankful for your work when opportunities are coming to you in the future. An always accessible version of your CV, it’s available for other professionals to discover, even when you’re busy elsewhere.

Make Your Profile Public:

A simple trick, but one many may not realise they have turned off! Check your account settings and make sure your profile is visible to the public, making sure you’ll show up in future searches.

Update Your Location:

When filling a new role recruiters are going to look to local listings first .e.g “CQV Engineers in Dublin Area” so make sure your profile isn’t being discounted because you never changed your location back from Australia when you returned from a year off!

Be Contactable:

Make sure your email, phone number (if you feel comfortable), website and other—professional!—social media platforms are listed on your profile. (Your future employer might not NEED to see your your Instagram holiday pictures or Twitter feed.) Reminder: LinkedIn InMail is only available to Premium users, and you want to make sure anyone can contact you about great opportunities.

Update Your Current Responsibilities:

Recruiters only have so much time and there’s a huge number of people looking for roles. Make your profile stand out by showing them your experience without making them have to go look for it. Include keywords and skills for your area e.g. if you’re a Quality Specialist skilled in LIMS make sure your profile includes this.

Have you taken on extra responsibilities in work? Or forgot to update your role since moving position? Make sure your profile reflects this! Take some time once a month to freshen up your profile and ensure it accurately reflects the hard work you do daily.

Highlight Your Skills:

Highlighting your skills is a great way to help you stand out to prospective employers and recruiters who can quickly get a feel for the type of roles that would be suited for you. LinkedIn members who have five+ skills listed are contacted 27x more by employers. However, the key here is staying relevant. A long list of skills that aren’t really core to who you are and what you do won’t add any benefits to your profile.
Look at others within your industry and in similar roles and see what they have listed and compare against your own skills for inspiration.

Include A Summary:

Take advantage of everything LinkedIn has to offer! Many may skip the summary section but this is a great place for you to summarise your professional story and also share what motivates you about your role or what you’re looking for in a new one. Feel free to keep it short and use bullet points.
Use this section to highlight your previous roles and responsibilities, including your strengths and accomplishments and any other professional achievements you’re proud of.

Be Professional:

Your profile is much more likely to be viewed if you’ve included a professional-looking profile picture. Studies have shown you’re more likely to receive connection requests and messages if you include a photo on your profile as it puts a face to your name.

Consider installing Grammerly to prevent spelling and grammar mistakes on your profile or your posts, it doesn’t look great to say you’re detail orientated if your paragraphs are littered with spelling mistakes.

Step Away From The Buzzwords:

Buzzwords are adjectives that are used so often on LinkedIn and CVs that they become almost completely meaningless. Examples would be phrases like “goal-orientated,” “team-player,” “passionate,” “results-driver,” “innovative.” Just using these phrases isn’t enough, you need to show HOW you’re a team-player, how you’re innovative using examples of your previous work and achievements.

Take some time each day to work through each of our tips and you’ll have an up to date profile in no time. Once you’re taking full advantage of your new and improved LinkedIn you’ll be surprised at the opportunities that will come your way.