What recruiters need to see on your LinkedIn profile in 2018

Every day, recruiters skim through LinkedIn profiles in search of prospective top talent. With such a competitive job market, the start of the new year is the perfect time to make sure your profile tells recruiters your professional story.

Here are 5 essential tips for a more searchable profile and a stronger personal brand.  

1.   Master the art of first impressions.

Having a professional-looking photo is proven to grab recruiters’ attention and should reflect who you are. These 2017 statistics reveal that LinkedIn profiles with photos receive 21 times more profile views and 36 times more messages.

Your tagline is another highly visible part of your profile, which can be maximized by using specific, functional words to describe your expertise and value proposition. Ask yourself, what is it that you do in your profession (searchable key words) and what can you do for others (value proposition).

Examples of effective taglines for specific professions include:

Digital Marketing Expert

Social Media Strategist

Construction Management Leader with a focus on Strategy, Planning and Accountability

2.    Give your summary a personal touch.

You’ll have approximately 15-30 seconds to grab the recruiter’s attention and make sure your profile doesn’t get overlooked. Start by writing your summary in the first-person point of view and use key words to express your professional and personal interests. Write freely and share your professional story in a concise and compelling manner using 2,000 characters or less. Your summary should entice recruiters to learn more about you and how your interests match what they’re looking for.

3.    Show (and tell) with recommendations and endorsements.

Recruiters read through your work experience to understand what you did in your previous roles, but recommendations demonstrate soft skills that are just as important. This section gives recruiters insight into traits that would be valuable for open positions, beyond the technical experience listed in other areas of your profile.

Include specific skills on your profile to build your professional brand. Endorsements confirm your talents and should include key words that you would like to be recognized for, such as strategic thinking for consultants or talent strategy for recruiters.

4.    Build your network.

In addition to a strong professional profile, your LinkedIn activity will help you build your network and make you more searchable for relevant job openings. Particularly for roles that are in high demand such as Information Technology, recruiters often use professional affiliations to find individuals with specific talents. Take advantage of this platform to interact with peers by joining LinkedIn groups related to your field and interests.

5.    Stay engaged.

If there’s a company that you’re interested in, follow them on LinkedIn. Likewise, recruiters are also able to search company followers and will know if you have shown an interest in their organization. Share posts or comment on them to be part of the discussion, and your name will soon be recognized. In addition, if you’re actively open to new positions, go into your profile and flag yourself as open to job opportunities.

Your profile will help brand who you are and give recruiters insight into the valuable contributions that you’re capable of. If you’re ready to get started, put these tips into action for new opportunities that are right for you in 2018.  

About the Author: Tammy Leisses is the Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at Brunswick Corporation. Tammy has been in the recruiting industry for more than a decade and is dedicated to positioning Brunswick as an employer of choice, and ensuring a positive experience for hiring teams and candidates as they engage with the Brunswick Talent Acquisition Team.