Do you think a top notch resume would be sufficient enough to attract a recruiter or hiring manager’s attention & vet you? Not really! Those were practices of the past. It is important to note that without social proof about you actually are, or who you say you are & you do what you claim to do, it will ring alarm bells for recruiters.
Without a substantial online presence, you are invisible & non-existent. 92% of the recruiters search online for candidates. 60% of employers use social networking platforms to research candidates. You can start with searching your name on google search. If your name does not appear till the 3rd page or nothing reflects your accomplishment/success stories, you should start making some concerted efforts to register your uniqueness. Which platform is the best place to start?- LinkedIn!
The following are roadblocks in building your professional brand & elevating your profile standing on LinkedIn:
- Unprofessional headline: A headline which is obscure & appears to be from years ago will not scream professional.
- Incomplete profile: Skipping/ incomplete sections will not support your candidature & leave recruiters & headhunters scratching their heads.
How do you create that winning edge for your LinkedIn profile?
Adopting the below mentioned strategy will not only help you have a complete & comprehensive profile but also improve your search ranking during profile searches:
- Professional headshot: Use a professional photo which allows your audience to see your face clearly on a mobile device &/or large screen.
- Customised headline: By customising your headline & not letting default your current job title will ensure that your audience get to for what kind of roles your profile would be a fit.
- Interactive keyword rich summary section: A perfectly aligned summary section is your best shot to let your audience know how you are best suited for the role you are applying for. By writing your content in an interactive way, you make sure that you give your reader an opportunity to hear your voice. Besides mentioning some key challenges & problems you have solved in the past, focus on also including list of hard skills & expertise & a way readers can get in touch with you.
- Metric rich experienced section: Rather than just writing company’s name & role, use summary section to include some important metrics, figures & stats related to your achievements.
- Volunteer experience: Showcase to your audience that you are committed to social & other pro bono welfare causes by including volunteer experience.
- Extras: Prove that you are subject matter expert or an accomplished professional by including information related to your certification, training, publication & awards section.
- Group discussion & engagement: Showcase yourself as thought leader by sharing some insights/articles , commenting on discussion in LinkedIn groups & writing your own content & sharing in LinkedIn groups ( to start with you can join 4 to 5 LinkedIn groups based on your industry, experience, areas of interest etc..).
- Skill endorsement & recommendations: Recommendation section on LinkedIn allows your connections, colleagues & even your managers to praise your work & talent. Skill endorsement allow your connections &/or clients to reaffirm your skills & role associated expertise. Try to include at least 3 major skills set relevant to your target role.
Having a strong online presence throws light on your career accomplishment & increases the chances that more & more recruiters & hire managers would be searching for & vetting your profile.
