5 Ways to Produce Job Leads From LinkedIn

Most savvy job seekers know that having a current and informative LinkedIn profile is as important as having a resume. Connections on LinkedIn can be the first step to getting online job interviews. You'll want to review your current LinkedIn profile to determine if it is really working for you or against you. Make Your Headline Count The headline is the single most important part of your profile, yet it’s the part that many people throw together with little thought. Worse yet, some even neglect to create a headline, which means that LinkedIn inserts your current job title and company by default. When composing an attention-grabbing headline, try to sum up in one phrase what you want employers to know about you. Consider using things like your personal brand statement, unusual expertise or career specialty. In essence, create a title that stands out from the crowd. Don’t forget to include keywords that employers might use to search for someone with your stellar skill set. Highlight Your Uniqueness Some job seekers have difficulty highlighting the factors that set them apart from other candidates because they don’t know what those factors are. Think about your past work experiences and pinpoint the projects or work places that stand out from the rest. Then, your headline should include those unique skills and experiences.& Know Your Audience Your headline and your profile should speak directly to whomever it is that you are trying to impress. For job seekers, that person is a hiring manager, HR rep or a recruiter. Pretend that you are speaking directly to that person when writing your profile. Carefully consider what type of candidate they are looking for. Are they seeking a specialist or a jack of all trades? Are they likely to want an experience senior-level staffer or an innovator regardless of tenure. Use words and phrases that express the qualities that your key audience is most likely to want. Avoid generalizations in an attempt to get more views. This rarely works and instead dilutes your core technical skills and competencies. Include Details The more information you can provide in your profile the more views and networking connections you will make. Don’t just say that you are a rehabilitation specialist. Instead, explain that you are a sports-certified rehabilitation therapist who works with adult athletes. Be Creative While your LinkedIn profile shouldn’t be a creative writing exercise, some flair can work to your advantage. Try stating what you can do for a company, or what skills you have, and then following up with the problem that it solves. For example, if you’re a technical writer, state that you are a trained technical writer who excels at writing instructions that people will actually read.