10 LinkedIn Tips for Job Seekers

I’ll say it right up front... I do not profess to be a LinkedIn expert. I’m sure my profile & presence has room for improvement. That said, I have people reach out to me on a regular basis about potential positions & referrals, so I must be doing something right!

A winning profile is all about building?your personal brand. When someone looks at your LinkedIn activity or profile what do they see & how do they perceive you? Are you insightful, dedicated to your profession, a thought leader, and helpful to others? Or are you a complainer that talks down about your previous employers or other subjects? Here’s what works for me along with a bit of what NOT to do. I’m leaving my most important bonus tip for the end!

1. Complete your entire LinkedIn profile. The algorithm gods will shine upon you if you take the time to do this. The more profile sections you complete, the more people will see your posts, and the more frequently your profile will be viewed by those that matter to you. This begins with a good profile photo (more on that below), up to date job history, background picture, education, description of yourself, headline, etc. Do a search on how to optimize these and you’ll be off to a good start!?
2. Use a professional profile photo. Make sure it is a good quality headshot. You don’t need to pay a photographer but make sure it is a good picture. It should only have yourself in it. Don’t crop it from a shot with other people, and make sure nothing to distract the viewer is included (someone else’s arm, a busy background, etc.) DEFINITELY do not use a photo of yourself partying last New Year’s Eve!?
3. Make LOTS of quality connections. I set a goal of making 500 connections. It took me several years, but now that I've gotten there, I am seeing an uptick in how many people interact with me. Notice that I said QUALITY connections. Don't connect to everyone that asks. Most just want to sell you something. Instead, chose people you are actually acquainted with, have something in common with, or that you find interesting and want to follow. Don’t connect to your mother-in-law if she makes silly comments on your posts. Your connections should not be limited to just your profession and should have some variety. ?
4. Regularly post insightful comments, information, and news articles relevant to your profession. Do not simply repost someone else’s content or articles. If you post something like that be sure to include comments with your own take on the information presented. Make your comments worthwhile and not just “Check out this great article!” I'll admit that this is an area that I know I need to improve on.?
5. Do not be a whiner & complainer! Nobody is going to hire you if you are perceived to be negative! Remember what Mom used to say – "If you don’t have something good to say about someone don’t say anything at all.” This especially applies to comments about automated job applicant systems. Sure, they are flawed and can skip over well qualified applicants but stop complaining about them. Instead, learn how to network online and in person and you won’t be dependent on the results of those systems. At the end of the day, you want to create a positive brand that shows that you are a team player, a mentor (or potential mentor), and a positive contributor to your potential employer’s image.?
6. Never, ever, ever talk down in a post or comment about your current or former employer. This one is similar to number five above but is so important that it deserves its own line. Perhaps they really are stupid & incompetent jerks, or perhaps they are even dishonest. Even if all that is true, a potential employer doesn’t want to hire someone that complains about an employer. The first thought in their mind is “Are they going to say that about OUR company if things don’t go well?”?
7. Give & receive recommendations. Reach out to current and former co-workers, managers, and customers that you have had a good relationship with and ask them to provide recommendations and endorsements on your LinkedIn. Be sure to return the favor, and provide these for others even if they don’t do it for you. Recommendations given & received should be heartfelt and not canned. Don’t ask people to say something that isn’t true!?
8. Never get political on LinkedIn! Although I have strong political views personally, I do not post about them on LinkedIn. The truth of the matter is that the United States (and really the world) is pretty divided when it comes to politics. Are you willing to alienate 50% of your potential employers before you even get started? Political posts and comments are an open invitation for negative comments directed back at you. The obvious exception to this is if you are a political candidate or elected representative, etc. (Although I tend to ignore these folks anyway!)?
9. Apply the tips listed above to your PERSONAL social media. This means FACEBOOK, twitter, Instagram, etc! This is the hardest one for many people. Potential employers regularly search out your other social media to find out what kind of person you REALLY are. We can argue if this is right or wrong, but this is a simple fact. If your FB shows you ranting and raving, or if you have hard right or hard left political views, they are going to see it. If you show off your party photos from every weekend or other controversial activities, they will see it. This means old stuff too, so you need to scrub your posts and clean them up. You can do everything right on LinkedIn but ruin your chances because of your personal posts. ?You may also want to limit your FB so that it is not "public".
10. LinkedIn is NOT FaceBook. It is a professional networking platform. Don’t post your personal stuff unless you are relating it to something in the professional world.?
11. BONUS TIP #1: Build your LinkedIn brand long before you need it. Work on it regularly over time, keep it updated, and in a couple of years you will have a powerhouse presence on LinkedIn that will work for you when you need it most!?
12. BONUS TIP #2: LinkedIn is useful for much more than finding a new position. I put a link to my profile in my email signature and find that current and potential customers regularly take a look at it. LinkedIn is a great way to highlight your personal and company experience, credentials, accomplishments, and capabilities without being in someone’s face about it!?

There is certainly much more that can be said about using LinkedIn to its full potential, but if you follow these steps you’ll definitely be on the right track. ?Post your comments below and share what has worked for you on LinkedIn!

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