Every social media platform has something that makes it special. Twitter has its short-form posts that go up like flares, then fade just as quickly. Tumblr is a collection of microblogs, each with their own, special page. Facebook is where you go to keep in touch with friends and family, and it provides dozens of different ways for you to organize your online social life.
One of the most unique social media platforms out there is LinkedIn. This site is expressly meant as a way for professionals to come together, make connections, and find employment. It’s often one of the first places employers will look when reviewing resumes, and a good LinkedIn profile can be a valuable asset to someone who wants to keep moving up the professional ladder.
Are you getting the most out of LinkedIn?
Tip #1: Get found
If a tree falls in the forest, but no one is around to see it or hear it, did it actually fall? Also, if you have an amazing LinkedIn profile, but no one ever comes to visit it, does your profile actually exist?
Getting found on LinkedIn is less about your skills and more about your connections and keywords. Your 1st-degree connections (the people you are directly connected to) provide a lot of visibility for your profile. So make sure those connections are important, and that they’ll help you stand out. Secondly, make sure you have the right keywords in your profile. Pay particular attention to your title and summary, because that is where keywords will have the biggest impact on whether your profile shows up in searches.
Tip #2: Be selective in your group choice
Groups are one of the best features on LinkedIn. They help you meet other professionals, they improve networking, and overall they’re a positive force. However, you should review a group carefully before you consider linking your name to it.
In this instance, being part of a group is putting yourself out there, and tying your name to an entity. If that group has a positive reputation, and the members are all professionals, then being a member of that group will have positive impacts on your LinkedIn profile. If that group has a negative reputation, though, then being associated with it won’t do you any favors. So join often, but join selectively.
Tip #3: Use your LinkedIn profile to generate a resume
In today’s job market, the idea of showing up in person to hand over a physical resume seems almost quaint. The days of pounding the pavement are gone, and you’re more likely to get hired sitting at home on the couch with your laptop than you are driving all over town filling out applications. However, there are still some potential employers who would rather have your actual resume in hand, rather than reviewing your LinkedIn profile. These tips are for you!
For more LinkedIn tips and tricks contact us today, or check out this blog post!
