19 Essential LinkedIn Profile Tips for Job Seekers

19 Essential LinkedIn Profile Tips for Job Seekers If you are thinking about using LinkedIn to search for a job, make sure that your profile represents you in the best way possible.By learning these 19 essential LinkedIn profile tips, you are guaranteed to get noticed and increase profile views.1. Start With a Catchy HeadlineYour headline is the most visible piece of information to recruiters and hiring managers, which is why this is LinkedIn Profile tip #1.Instead of writing your current job title and company, make sure that you mention the type of job you are looking for.Also, mention what you bring to the table.Here are a few examples:“Sales professional who has literally sold ice to an Eskimo.”“Organized executive assistant specializing in making your life easier.”“Author/Writer specializing in LinkedIn tips for job seekers.”(Need more ideas?Check outLinkedIn Headline Ideas That Don’t Suck.)2. Broaden Your LocationDo you live in a smaller town next to a large city that you are willing to work in?If so, make sure tha t you put the closest large city in your location.Thiswill make it easier for job recruiters and hiring managers to find you.3. Add a Relevant IndustryHaving a relevant industry will help recruiters find your LinkedIn profile.4. Customize Your URLThis LinkedIn profile tip is oftentimes overlooked for years.Who wants a URL with a bunch of random numbers next to your name?Customizing your URL will give your profile a cleaner look.It will also help you stand out from the pack.If you haven’t already, select “Profile” and click the little gear/cog next to your profile URL under your picture (do this on a desktop).This will take you to a page where you can customize your URL on the upper right-hand side.Edit your URL so that it is (linkedin.com/yourname).5. Select a Professional PhotoMake sure that your profile photo represents you in a professional manner.Smile, face the camera, and try to dress nicely.Take a look at profile photos of others in your industry.Note exactly how they a re presenting themselves.(See 5 Tips For a Perfect LinkedIn Profile Photo.)6. Add the Background PhotoA background photo is always a nice touch for your profile.It adds personality and character to your professional LinkedIn profile.Recruiters and hiring managers will appreciate you making an effort in your online presence.7. Spice Up Your SummaryThis is your opportunity to show who you really are.It also happens to be one of the most important LinkedIn profile tips of all.The summary is a great section to show off your achievements.Add any relevant, industry-specificwork experiences you have.This is also a great section for you to add some personality.Do not be afraid to speak in the first person and speak directly to the hiring manager/recruiter reading your summary.Your summary should be tailored towards your target audience while telling a story about yourself, your experiences, skills, and achievements.An ideal summary is 3-5 short paragraphs.The summary is agood placeto includ e your contact info.8. Use Relevant ExperienceA common mistake that job seekers make is adding too much information.If you are applying for an engineering position, remove your babysitting experience from your LinkedIn profile.If you have no relevant work experience, some things you can consider including are:Relevantprojects Volunteerwork Experiences that relate to whatever field you are trying to get intoA recruiter should be able to skim your LinkedIn and know what you are looking for.They should not get confused by unrelated work experience.9. Add a Current Job Even When UnemployedIf you’re unemployed and your LinkedIn is showing that you have no “current” job, it will be a lot harder for a recruiter to find you.LinkedIn offers a filter when searching for people with the option to look for “current,”“past,”or “current and past” professionals in a given industry.In order to save a ton of time, recruiters typically look for “current” employees.A LinkedIn prof ile tip to help you get noticed is to add your desired job title such as “Executive Assistant” or “Sales Professional.” Follow thisby “Seeking Opportunities” or “In Transition” in the Company Name box so it doesn't remain blank.10. School, Work, or ProjectsSome of you mighthave little to no work experience.In this case, it is extremely important to make up for it with any school or personal projects that relate to your desired job.No work experience doesn’t mean you have no experience to show.11. Utilize Volunteer ExperienceSome studies show that people who have volunteer experience on their LinkedIn profile are 20% more likely to get hired than those who don’t.I can’t speak to the validity of that statistic, but it definitely can’t hurt to add volunteer work if you have it.Volunteer work adds experience and shows a willingness to work with others in order to contribute to the community.12. Add MultimediaThis LinkedIn profile tip is sure to add some color and style to your profile, making it more enjoyable to look at.Many people fail to utilize the multimedia feature on the LinkedInprofile.Take a look at the profile of someone with multimedia under his or her summary and work experiences and compare it to someone who doesn’t.Multimedia can spice up your profile by showcasingyour work.Add photos, videos, links, and slideshows to your profile.If you don’t have any work to show off, just try adding the URL to your company website.13. Strategic Skills OnlyA common mistake job seekers make on LinkedIn is adding too many skills.Do you really expect a recruiter to believe you have all of those skills?And are ALL of them relevant to the job you are looking for?Make sure to be strategic with the skills you add.The more skills you add, the fewer endorsements you will get on each skill.Start with 10-20 relevant skills and work your way up.14. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)The skills you add to your profile also play a factor in SEO.But they are not the only things playing a factor.Make sure to review your LinkedIn profile at the end of this article.Add any relevant keywords that you think an employer will be usingto find someone for the job.This particular Linkedin profile tip is also very usefulforyour resume.(For information on how to use SEO in your resume, read How To Use Resume Keywords When Applying ForJobs.)15. Add Contact InfoThis seems obvious but surprisingly is overlooked a lot.Add your contact info to your profile so that the recruiter can get ahold of you!16. Join Relevant GroupsBy joining groups you will increase your chances of finding someone, or someone finding you, for a job.Of course, you will want to be strategic about the groups you join.Join industry-specificgroups and begin networking with other professionals in your desired role.You might even run into someone thatcan offer you some additional LinkedIn profile tips that we haven't mentioned.17. Add InterestsAdding interests to your LinkedIn prof ile allows your viewer to learn a little bit more about you.Who knows, maybe a common interest that you have with the hiring manager will be the little extra push they needto give you a call.18. Network Within Your Desired IndustryGroups aren’t the only way to meet industry-specific people.Once your profile is completed, don’t be afraid to search LinkedIn for people in your desired industry.Use the search bar at the top to type in your desired job title or industry and then add a filter to view only your second-degree connections.These people have the best chance of accepting your invite.After all, you already have a mutual friend in common.(Read how one LinkedIn member went from 100 to 15,000 connections without paying a penny inLinkedIn Networking Tips for Job Seekers.)19. LinkedIn Profile Tips for Job Seekers SummaryAt the end of the day, creating a high-value LinkedIn profile is not easy.There are professionals out there who do this for a living.If you are interested in find ing a company to do the work for you, check out our list of the Best LinkedIn Profile Writing Services in America.