Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile for Job Search Success

Are you open to new opportunities? Actively job hunting? Or want that promotion?

Regardless of your current situation, LinkedIn can be a valuable asset in both passive and active job searches.

Most people think about active job search activities like applying for jobs online or informing their manager and network that they are looking.

By enhancing your online presence on LinkedIn, you increase the likelihood of being approached by recruiters. Recruiters reaching out is a sign of an active job market and your value in it. If they are not reaching out then it's a sign that your LinkedIn profile is not working for you and needs a makeover.

If your skills are in demand you won’t need to search for jobs. The jobs will come to you.

Fortunately, LinkedIn provides robust analytics to help you determine whether your profile is reaching the right audience. To make the most of this valuable resource, follow these steps to analyze your LinkedIn profile.

Analysing Your LinkedIn Profile

Start by going to your LinkedIn profile page and:

?? Click on the "View all analytics" link at the top right.

?? Click on "Search appearances"

Here, you'll gain insights into whether your LinkedIn profile is returning value to you in the jobs market.

Begin by taking note of the number of times your profile has appeared in searches. If you find that recruiters are not reaching out to you, it's time to improve this metric.

Examine the "Job titles you were found for" section and make sure that it reflects the relevant job title(s).Likewise, review the "Top companies your searchers work at" to identify staffing agencies or firms that align with your career goals.

Review "Top job titles of your searchers".

In this section, you should discover recruiters and managers who have shown an interest in your profile. If the analytics don't align with your objectives and the "Search appearances" number is underwhelming, it's time to refresh your LinkedIn profile.

Make your LinkedIn profile rise to the top of searches

The reason for tracking your "Search appearances" number is so you can improve it. You can improve it by making sure the relevant key skills words are in your "about" summary and throughout your experience, skills and recommendations.

Avoid using vague job titles; instead, opt for commonly recognised job titles and skill keywords that recruiters commonly use in their searches.

Recruiters use key skill words from their job requirements in searches on LinkedIn. If they receive hundreds or thousands of results then they will continue to add key skill words to narrow down their search results. All of these key skill words need to appear in your LinkedIn profile if you want to be found.

If you're uncertain about the keywords that recruiters are searching for, refer to the requirements section of job postings, which typically contains a wealth of relevant keywords. Keep in mind that job titles, descriptions, industry jargon, and acronyms can vary between companies.

Want your profile tor rise to the top of recruiter searches?

Think about technical and business functional skills as search terms:

? job title - choose a commonly used title for the role you delivered. Not consultant

? years of experience - should match the range recruiters are looking for

? years at current employer

? industry

? division – industry or corporate sector/group

? company name - use names of end clients and not agencies

? products or services

? vendor applications or services

? tools (software/hardware/frameworks/business processes)

Another crucial aspect of LinkedIn analytics to consider is the "Profile viewers" section. If you have connected with hiring managers or recruiters, it's essential to know whether they are viewing your profile. You can verify this by checking "Who's viewed your profile." Keep in mind that while free LinkedIn accounts provide limited details, you will at least see the names of the companies.

It's important to note that just because your profile appears in searches doesn't guarantee that recruiters have noticed it.

If your profile is generic, it's unlikely to rise to the top of their search results and catch their attention. Recruiters seek candidates who exhibit commitment to specific job requirements, not those who appear uncertain about their career direction by listing multiple job titles and descriptions.

To overcome this perception, it's crucial to target the job you desire. A structured and focused LinkedIn profile is essential for maximising your job opportunities. To fully leverage the analytics, ensure that your profile aligns with specific job requirements in your chosen industry or segment.

Turning the tables

Once you've identified your key skill words you can now use them to search the competition in your field. A competitive analysis is critical to assessing your current situation in the jobs market. See who rises to the top of your search and assess how they are representing themselves. This is key if you are targeting a select company or local industry.

Also consider the effects of receiving job offers that aren't in line with your interests. Adjust your profile to match your desired position and refine your key skills to avoid irrelevant job offers.

For more in-depth insights on communicating effectively with hiring managers and recruiters, you can find additional guidance in my Resume Intelligence eBook available here . Your support is much appreciated!

Maintaining Your LinkedIn Profile

After securing a job, it's common for people to neglect their LinkedIn profiles. This is a mistake. You should assessing your value in the job market at least annually so you understand the risks and opportunities. This information is also useful when seeking a raise or promotion. It's no fun being laid off during a market/industry or corporate downturn so use your assessment to predict the beginning of those events. Or you may just be missing out on that dream job with that dream paycheck. If you want a long and successful career you'll want to know how active the market is as well as assess your value in it.

Each time you enter the job market, your options are limited to the jobs available at that moment. The best jobs may not be accessible to you then. It's preferable to choose when to be in the job market rather than letting your employer make that decision.

In essence, you want to be in the job market when the best job opportunities are available to you and when your value is at its peak. Your highest value in the job market is achieved when you've accomplished your most significant career milestone to date. Your greatest value lies in your ability to enhance your skills, moving from junior to intermediate, senior, or even becoming a subject matter expert.

This is the ideal time to search for a job, as you'll be at the zenith of your career growth, and astute hiring managers seek individuals who demonstrate career growth in their new hires. Similar to a professional athlete, your highest value in the market occurs after your most successful season.

Stay Informed

Your LinkedIn profile is a valuable tool for staying informed about the job market. It serves as a barometer for market conditions, recruiters reaching out indicating hiring activity, and changes in job descriptions and compensation.

**Valuable information that you can leverage to get a raise or a promotion!

Optimising your LinkedIn profile is a crucial step in your career journey. By carefully analysing your profile and targeting your efforts, you can increase your chances of landing the job you desire.

Regularly schedule time to maintain your profile, as it can serve as a valuable resource for tracking the job market and advancing your career.

More next week.

Until then—be agile.

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