Building a LinkedIn Profile that Stands Out
- Amy Leighton
- May 6
- 2 min read
When it comes to showcasing your industry skills and work experience, the best tool out there is LinkedIn. It provides a way to network with professionals working in your field and is one of the most popular ways to have people notice you. There are so many users on LinkedIn that you never know who might stumble onto your profile. Here’s how to build a page that reflects who you are and what you can offer any potential employer.
Put time into what picture you choose for your profile picture. Your profile picture is the first connection a visitor has with you. Choosing an appropriate picture that is professional and captivating is key. When people say to “dress for the job,” this applies to your profile picture as well. Pick an outfit someone in your industry would normally wear, but still make sure that your face comprises more than half of the space available in the photo. You don’t want to take a picture from too far away.
Write a headline that stands out. Many users only put a job title in their headline but with 120 characters available, you can use this area to share more about yourself. It’s a good section to share why you work in your industry and what drives you. It’s more of an elevator pitch than anything. Think about your target audience when writing it and stay away from buzzwords like “leverage” or “synergy.” Include what you can offer a company and explain what you’re good at doing.
Incorporate the keywords for your industry. Every industry has keywords that are frequently used. Putting them on your profile is critical because it allows hiring managers and recruiters to find you. Keywords differ from buzzwords slightly in that they are specific words that bring you into someone’s search results. They point to the skills and accomplishments you’ve been able to achieve. For example, if you are a manager in content marketing, some keywords would be social media marketing, digital marketing, and marketing strategy.
These tips just scratch the surface of how you can use your LinkedIn profile to help you find your next job. You can also focus on creating an intriguing summary, adding videos to your profile, and taking care to match your profile to your industry. At its core, LinkedIn is for networking. Use it to expand your connections and chances to be seen by those who are hiring. If you want to get the most out of LinkedIn, you might consider taking with a career counselor for additional input.
Comments