Posted By: Jessica Holbrook On: 2/8/2010 8:24:40 AM In: Networking
So now you’re on LinkedIn and you’re wondering what to do next. Or maybe you’ve been on LinkedIn for a while and you’re wondering, “Why isn’t this working?” Here are four great ideas to amp up your LinkedIn experience and make the most of your profile:
ADD A PICTURE Networking is personal; you are making a personal connection with another human being. Part of that is being able to “see” who you are connecting with. With so many spammers, fake profiles, etc. on LinkedIn, why not show them who you are and make that personal networking connection.
GRAB YOUR OWN URL Instead of having the standard URL that LinkedIn automatically assigns you, customize your URL to you! My URL is http://www.linkedin/com/in/jessicaholbrook. If someone searches for my name they find me—right at the top. Make sure you’re making the most of your profile and that you’re easy to locate.
BRAND YOUR HEADLINE Give yourself a professional headline. It’s there for a reason, and you should utilize it. It maximizes search results and is one more way to make it easier for people to locate you. If you’re an IT director be sure that it’s in your headline. Create a personal branding statement that paints a very clear picture for others about what you do and who you are.
BRAND YOUR PROFILE Create a keyword-rich summary that showcases your accomplishments, expertise, and value. Don’t just tell them what you can do—“show” them what you can do by highlighting past achievements. Employers want to know how you can fill their need and bring value to their organization; give them the information they need in the career summary. You can always expand on your responsibilities under each career you’ve listed, but front load the career summary with the important and persuasive information that will keep them reading.
Implement these four points to start making the most of your LinkedIn profile and networking.
Comments
Posted by: Dianne Rabkin On: 2/12/2010 7:13:47 PM
This is a tough job market. I'd like to mention how rude some potential employers are to people looking for a position. Many of them spend a lot of time and then don't bother to call back or give you a clue as to why you did not receive the position. One employer I did call back and ask...they hired a girl from one of their other outside offices. I don't appreciate the standard we reviewed your resume but gee you just didn't make it. I think if more employers were honest such as the salary range is not quite what we were looking for, you need more experience in this area or some other valid reason. Thanks for the services you provide I appreciate it.
Posted by: C.E. On: 2/16/2010 5:30:09 PM
Diane, I agree. The no response or general one(s) are beyond frustrating. I have a friend/former co-worker who has about 10+ years experience (to my 15), and he says he's gotten honest feedback from a interviewer about once. I've gotten the vague "too technical", etc...but I suspect it was for other reasons. It'd be nice to get honest feedback (at least once in a "blue moon").
