Sure, you’ve been over your LinkedIn profile with a fine-toothed comb, and frankly, you nailed it.
But how long ago was that? Hmm, maybe it’s time to look at it with fresh eyes. Even if you’re not actively looking for a new job, LinkedIn is a powerful gateway for recruiters and hiring managers looking to fill open positions, and you might be surprised at what comes your way.
A LinkedIn profile lets you showcase your capabilities differently than a resume. Hiring managers and recruiters face a pile of resumes every time they open a position, but your summary is an opportunity to quickly capture their interest. Promote your background and illustrate your expertise as well as what makes you unique. Keep it concise.
Your LinkedIn profile needs to advertise your recent achievements in the roles you held and the places you worked. Since the world changes fast, try not to list positions and work history from more than 10-12 years back. If you need to include more positions, simply mention the company and role you held. Focus on your most recent experiences.
Provide specific and accurate descriptions of what you have worked on. Hiring managers want to learn about your skills, so avoid highlighting team accomplishments. Provide links to your work if you can.
Unprofessional profile photos, poor formatting, and missing information work against a job applicant who was counting on their resume to do all the work in landing their next position. Keep your profile up-to-date and present yourself professionally. Find someone to help you proofread!
It only takes a few minutes to open LinkedIn and scan your profile for areas you can improve. Spending a little time polishing up your LinkedIn profile now will set you up for success later.
After you’ve polished up your LinkedIn profile, we would love to connect! Follow us on LinkedIn, check out our open jobs here, and connect with our technical recruiters to land your next IT job opportunity or with one of our friendly account executives to help your company find the right IT talent for your open contract or permanent roles!