LinkedIn Profile Tips: How to Grab an Executive Recruiter’s Attention

Thanks to LinkedIn, gone are the days of job seekers solely relying on submitting their resumes to job openings one by one. Now, employers and recruiters can stumble upon your profile and reach out to you for new opportunities , even if you aren’t actively looking. Regardless of where you currently stand in your job search efforts while reading this article, creating and maintaining an attractive LinkedIn profile is a must for executives who want to get noticed by hiring authorities .??

So, what can you do to increase your chances of getting sourced for prospective positions apart from having the right experience and skillsets? Our executive recruiters share how else candidates have managed to grab their attention on LinkedIn.?

Fill in All of the Blanks??

There is nothing like a fully fleshed out LinkedIn profile to show how much thought and effort an executive has put into their page. Include an about section, credentials, location, education, industry, job summary, projects, publications, achievements and awards, etc. Recruiters use keywords to search LinkedIn, so be sure to include as much relevant information in the profile as possible to increase your chances of appearing in their search results.??

Mutual Connections??

More connections mean more visibility. Recruiters are inclined to view a profile if a user shares a mutual connection with them. LinkedIn is there for you to interact with various people within your industry and field. It’s also useful if you’re considering the next step in your career and are looking for potential mentors!??

Photoshoot Time??

Make sure your profile picture and header image properly represent you. The professional you, that is! Be mindful of your clothing and your general surroundings when taking your headshot. (This includes steering away from making your profile picture a mirror selfie in the bathroom or wearing an outfit that might have inappropriate sayings in other languages.)???

Keep It Clean??

Avoid spelling errors and be consistent with formatting. As obvious as this tip seems, it continues to be a common mistake that our recruiters catch in executive profiles. LinkedIn is like an extended resume, and it’s common for recruiters to check a person’s profile to learn more about them. If there are too many grammatical errors, recruiters and employers most likely won’t screen you for their position, especially if strong attention to detail and written communication skills are required for the role. It doesn’t hurt to ask a trustworthy peer to review your profile after proofreading on your end.?

Market Yourself??

Just because you need to stay professional on LinkedIn doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t add some flair to your profile. The trick is to find the balance between showcasing your qualifications and your unique personality in a way that leaves a positive impression. Instead of just listing your job title as your LinkedIn headline, include a clear and creative phrase that perfectly encapsulates your current or most recent line of work instead. The About section should also be treated like your elevator pitch, and should summarize your career journey, values, goals. You can even add a quote that resonates with you or an interesting hobby that could lead to shared interests with other LinkedIn users.?

If you want to take it a step further, consider creating a LinkedIn newsletter for your network and prospective employers to see how invested and knowledgeable you are as a leader in the industry. It also helps to have recommendations from previous employers and colleagues on your page. (It’s built-in marketing for yourself!)?

Be Active on LinkedIn??

Following companies and industries aligned with your specialties gives first-hand access to recent news and available job openings. You should also be reposting, commenting, or reacting to posts from your network. While it’s now more common to engage with relatable and tasteful work memes on your feed, always stay mindful about every post you interact with since recruiters and employers can see your activity.???

Keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date and staying active after creating your account is a balance, but it can be done! Doing so puts yourself out there and helps those interested in hiring or forming a new connection with you gain better insight into who you are. It can’t replace a resume or interview during the hiring process, but it can certainly be another major factor in opening new doors in your career. We hope these tips help you freshen up your profile to impress your LinkedIn network!?

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Bristol Associates, Inc. is an executive search firm with over 55 years of excellence in recruiting nationwide. We specialize in recruiting for companies in the Casino Gaming; CBD; Facility and Concession; Food and Beverage; Healthcare; Hotel and Resort; Nonprofit; Restaurant and Foodservice; and Travel, Tourism, and Attraction industries. Apart from executive recruiting, our team also offers salary survey services for organizations nationwide to ensure that they remain a competitive employer in today’s dynamic job market.

Interested in working with Bristol Associates? Click here if you’re an employer or here if you’re a jobseeker.