Your LinkedIn Profile: Like Your Resume, But better
We’ve talked about the resume, a living document that needs regular updating and a discerning eye. It’s a big enough challenge to get the most out of that one paltry page you’re allowed to send in to be considered for a position. And yet, your stellar resume is merely a first step, a cry for attention to get yourself noticed out of the pile of applicants, a link of the chain of events that will secure you a job. Following that same chain of events today, we’ll look at the next thing a potential employer will likely do. If your resume catches eyes and piques interests, they’ll inevitably turn to LinkedIn to learn more.
Today we’ll unpack how to best utilize your LinkedIn profile to keep that hiring manager interested and ultimately, reach out for an interview. Because LinkedIn is like your resume, but so much better. You’ve got more space, license to be a bit creative, and freedom to share more of your personality.
Nail the Summary
One of the many opportunities LinkedIn offers their users to showcase enthusiasm and personality, is the summary at the top of your profile. “Your summary is the text box at the top of your LinkedIn profile, just below your photo. It’s open-ended space (2,000 characters max) where you give an overview of your professional life” (Reilly, 2019). And it’s the perfect place to introduce yourself, give a little backstory, and share why you love what you do. There’s no one “right” way to create this summary, but it’s definitely something to spend time and thought putting together, not to throw together quickly as an afterthought. For some stellar examples to inspire you, head here to read the rest of Kate Reilly’s article.
Show your Personality
The opportunity for personality doesn’t stop at the top, but continues throughout the LinkedIn format. Again, LinkedIn is like your resume, but so much better. Your formal resume, for example, should be written in third person, at a distance. But on LinkedIn it’s perfectly acceptable to write in first person: “I did this/I wrote an award-winning article/I managed multi-million dollar deals/etc.” In this way, the reader (aka hiring manager) is able to hear your voice a bit more clearly.
Plus, when you’re online, the entire web is at your disposal. Your LinkedIn profile is a hybrid resume and portfolio, in a way, allowing you to post pictures and even link to articles or examples of your work across the web. If you’ve been featured or quoted in an article - link it. If you’ve written an article - link it. If you appeared on the radio or a TV spot - LINK IT LINK IT LINK IT.
Write it all, then edit.
However, because you’re not limited to the traditional one page on your LinkedIn profile, there is a temptation to go on and on and on and…you get the idea. While it’s awesome to have room to expand on things like volunteer experiences, awards received, previous positions, and other “extracurriculars” be wary of oversharing.
A good way to start is to give yourself time and space to write it ALL. Write down everything you’ve done, every award you’ve received, every Thanksgiving you volunteered at the shelter, every summer you worked at camp. Don’t stop until it’s all there. Then, go through with an editing eye and keep what’s relevant for the job you’re seeking now, plus maybe one or two extras that help show you as a fully dimensional person.
When editing, think of LinkedIn as a wingman for your career. It’s here to help you look awesome in front of recruiters and hiring managers. It’s the ultimate tool to market yourself, even though it may feel icky to talk about your accomplishments all the time. At a bar, yeah, it’s annoying to list all your accomplishments, but on LinkedIn it’s standard. Embrace it.
Connect with Others
Don’t forget that ultimately, LinkedIn is a professional social network -- emphasis on the social aspect. It’s a place to connect with others and engage with those in your field. Updating your status, contributing articles, or sharing the work of a colleague are all appropriate and excellent ways to stay engaged. Keep it classy though, it’s a professional social network after all, not a place to stir the pot or post personal opinions on divisive topics. We know Facebook has that corner of the internet covered. But spending a few minutes each week engaging with others and contributing to the networking aspect of LinkedIn is a wonderful way to stay on top of the news in your field and keep an eye on what’s trending.
Sprucing up your LinkedIn profile and making the most of this amazing online database of professionals should be a no brainer, yet so many professionals looking for a new position forget this crucial step. LinkedIn is a critical component of landing your dream job -- get ahead of the game and spend some time updating that profile. You won’t regret it!
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We’ve talked about the resume, a living document that needs regular updating and a discerning eye. It’s a big enough challenge to get the most out of that one paltry page you’re allowed to send in to be considered for a position. And yet, your stellar resume is merely a first step, a cry for attention to get yourself noticed out of the pile of applicants, a link of the chain of events that will secure you a job.