There's so much you can do to make your LinkedIn profile stand out to a recruiter. I use LinkedIn daily and follow a lot of career coaches. In addition to that, being a human resource management minor, I have learned some useful career tips. Here are 5 LinkedIn tips that I learned through my research and classroom learning experience that every job seeker should know!
1. Have a professional profile picture
Your profile picture is the first thing someone sees when they open your page. Have a professional photo taken of you in a formal outfit. The photo should ideally be a headshot clicked against a plain backdrop that isn't too distracting. You definitely want to avoid using selfies or cropped out pictures of you standing next to your friends.
2. Choose a cover photo that represents you
Apart from your profile photo, the second thing someone notices on your profile is your cover photo. Choose a cover photo that represents you. You can customize cover photos using websites like Canva and PicMonkey for free. For example, if you are a writer, you can make a customized cover photo that has a picture of your book, details of where someone can buy it and your social media handles. Even if you don't want to customize a cover photo, you can simply choose an image that represents you from websites that you let you use pictures for free such as Unsplash.
3. Showcase your work on your profile
I have come across plenty of profiles that don't attach their work samples. Attach the work you have done at your previous internships under the experience section. This lets the recruiter see the quality of work you create and makes their decision process easier.
4. Have a catchy headline
Take a lot of time to think about your headline. Don't simply have "Student at XYZ University" as your headline. Your headline can be something related to your area of expertise or something related to your current position.
5. Write a summary that catches attention
A LinkedIn summary shouldn't be longer than a paragraph. Tell your career story in a compelling way and make use of keywords. You can also add an interesting fact about yourself. Don't hesitate to seek the help of a career coach or a write while framing your summary.
