How to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Stand Out

With the rise of social media, LinkedIn has become a way to scout new talent and establish a first impression with recruiters. A report by LinkedIn stated that over 77% of recruiters use the platform for their recruitment purposes. LinkedIn not only allows a look into your professional past, but it creates a personal brand for employers to judge and assess. Similar to businesses, marketing your brand is the key to people buying your goods and services. An outstanding LinkedIn profile grows your brand, attracting employers and improving your opportunity to land your dream IT role.   

Here are five suggestions to help establish your brand and make your LinkedIn profile stand out: 

Highlight your Experience

Work experience is arguably one of the most important sections of your résumé because it provides insights into how you performed in other roles and the skills you have gained along the way. As such, emphasizing your work experience on your LinkedIn page will also allow you to showcase your career progression and future potential in a new role to potential employers or recruiters. This demonstrates your capabilities of engagement and growth because your success in past roles often translates to potential in new roles, which is valued by employers. In fact, 82% of recruiters say that prior experience is the most important factor in the hiring process. So, if you have the relevant experience to share, it’s important to showcase it on your LinkedIn page.  

List your Relevant Skills and Certifications

Similar to the 2-page resume rule, LinkedIn profiles should not be overloaded with irrelevant information. Identify your most relevant professional skills and certifications and showcase them on your profile. Employers looking for specific skills will quickly be able to match their open job positions to the skills you bring to the table. This is especially true for those working in IT, as some employers are looking for specific code certifications and software experience. Doing so will check off the boxes that recruiters are looking for in candidates.

Use Keywords Correctly

Keywords are extremely important on LinkedIn because employers will often search for specific job titles and responsibilities, and you want to make sure you are on the other end of that search. Making yourself more visible to recruiters begins with a strong LinkedIn profile and the right keywords. This includes avoiding cliché, vague, and overused phrases such as innovation, strategic, and specialized. While these words are not necessarily bad to use, finding words that more specifically and effectively describe your role will carry more weight. Instead, choose words that directly coincide with open positions that interest you. For example, if you are looking for a coding position, use words like programmer or engineer. 

Keep your Profile Active

Your LinkedIn page is essentially your public résumé, which means keeping it updated is very important in the eyes of employers. Recruiters want to see current updates in your career, and a lack thereof can be interpreted as employment gaps or general disinterest. LinkedIn serves as a networking platform, and not participating can make you quickly fall out of the game. Post and interact with relevant content to connect with new people and emphasize your expertise on a topic. This will expand your network and make you appear engaged and interested to recruiters.  

Utilize your Endorsements

An important but often overlooked section of LinkedIn is endorsements, which allow other professionals to validate your talents. Endorsements from credible sources and professionals can be impactful to recruiters because they see that others highly regard your skills. To elevate your endorsements, search through your connections and endorse other professionals who you feel deserve it and they may endorse you back. Or, write a polite note asking your colleges to endorse you. Having many endorsements will communicate your strengths and networking abilities to employers.  

Conclusion 

LinkedIn is becoming an increasingly important recruiting and scouting platform. Optimizing your profile can provide many professional opportunities for you. Through using these suggestions and working with staffing experts such as BCTG, connecting with other professionals, improving your network and personal brand, and making yourself visible to recruiters should be easy.  

Contact the BCTG team to learn more.  

Contributions from Leah Harding