There are more than 830 million people using LinkedIn across the world, with 34 million of those living in the UK. And in addition to those individual users, at least 58 million companies are also on LinkedIn, using the social media platform to not only showcase their business but to recruit future employees. In fact, since launching nearly two decades ago back in 2003, LinkedIn has become one of the key players in modern-day recruitment, with 50 million users proactively looking for jobs via LinkedIn each week. Whatever stage of your career you’re in – whether you’re looking for a new role or not – it’s essential that you treat your LinkedIn profile just as you would your physical CV. After all, you never know what opportunities might come your way.
Here, the experts at Zoom Recruitment share our top tips on how to create a winning LinkedIn profile, that promises to stand out and get you noticed.
1. Start with a suitable profile picture
This might sound like an obvious place to start, but you’d be surprised at how many people upload an inappropriate profile photo on LinkedIn. Remember, the whole purpose of LinkedIn is to offer a simple but effective platform for professional networking – so treat it like a professional space.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing a profile picture:
- Take a headshot, with your face taking up around two-thirds of the space
- Make sure your photo is up-to-date
- Look professional but always approachable
- Be sure that the photo is high-resolution
- Make sure you’re the only one in the photo
- Wear the same attire you would wear to work
Here’s what to avoid:
- Don’t take selfies, ask someone else to take the picture for you
- Avoid over-filtering your image, if at all
- Don’t crop a group image, the photo needs to be taken of just you
2. Choose a good cover photo
This is an opportunity to add another level to your profile – by telling visitors a little more about you. We would advise keeping your cover photo career-focused, so perhaps choose an image that’s associated with the industry or the setting you work in.
3. Add an eye-catching headline
Simply put, the headline is a short description that usually includes your main job title or role, along with a few attractive, punchy adjectives in there for extra padding. What’s written in your headline makes it easier for potential recruiters to search for you or relevant professionals to connect with you – so make sure it’s a good one.
4. Tell your story in the summary
Your summary is an opportunity to tell your story. Use this space to clearly talk about who you are, what you have done, your greatest achievements and your passions. If you’re just starting out in your career, don’t worry – this is a great time to discuss what your goals are and what you want to achieve in the future.
5. Don’t forget to include essential additional information
As mentioned, LinkedIn is designed especially for professionals, which means there are plenty of opportunities to add extra details about yourself, to help you stand out. Our advice? Take advantage of these, as they allow you to showcase yourself as a well-rounded person. Consider adding your skills and any volunteer history, as well as any extra qualifications you might have.
6. Create a personal URL
Once you’ve created your profile, it’s time to personalise the URL. Without doing this, your LinkedIn URL will simply end in a list of numbers, which can look unprofessional. Follow these steps and personalise your URL:
- Go to your profile
- Click on the ‘edit’ button
- Click ‘edit contact info’
- Customise your URL (on the right-hand side of the page)
- Save your changes
Editing your URL is a simple but highly effective way to make a difference and get your name seen on LinkedIn.
7. Post regular content
Building a solid, strong LinkedIn profile is a fantastic start but for it to be really effective, you need to be posting regularly. Continue to post new content – whether it’s unique or sharing comments from others in your industry – and encourage engagement with fellow LinkedIn users. Posts are a great chance to showcase you as an expert in your industry, spark conversation with others and build connections.
Are you ready to find your next role? Are you wanting to recruit?
If you’re thinking about changing your career, or you’re a business wanting to recruit, then get in touch with Zoom Recruitment. Our highly skilled team of professional recruiters and headhunters specialise in matching role opportunities with the perfect candidate.
