Top 5 things I look for in a LinkedIn profile

With the competition for talent so fierce and a plethora of candidates on the market, I thought I would jot down a few words on the top 5 things that I look for in a LinkedIn profile, tips that I hope will help you get noticed…

1. Photos. Facebook and Instagram photos won’t work as your professional profile pic, let's be clear on that! Also be careful not to have anything too cheesy, sultry or flirty. Make sure it’s also recent, if you have 30yrs of experience and a a picture taken just after high school, then people will notice! Remember that your photo is a first impression and just like dating, it counts.
2. A clear job title. I’ve seen all sorts of job titles, from "visionary leader” to “business winner” neither of which actually says what your job function is. Have a clean and descriptive job title that informs the recruiter what it is you do in a simple and clear fashion. This will also help you come up in searches, and for us recruiters to accurately pin point your position.
3. Details. After your picture and title, I then scroll down to read through the specifics of your previous and current positions. Always complete this section, I see so many profiles where candidates just write their job titles and nothing else. Big mistake in my opinion. We want to see the specifics, such as responsibilities and achievements. Not only that, but we also like to read a detailed personal summary that gives recruiters further insights into your thoughts, opinions and passions at work, matters that genuinely make you stand out.
4. Recommendations and Groups. Show off your good work! Recommendations are an obvious endorsement of this. Personally speaking, I always pay attention to a detailed recommendation, not a one-liner, but a good paragraph from a credible source. Not only that, but I also look at the groups and organisations you like and follow. Why? Well this again gives me an insight into who you are, what you like and what your ambitions are.
5. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, if you want to get noticed, then flick on your open to new opportunities switch! This along with all the above will give you the complete profile and ensure the approaches you make are (hopefully) in line with your career expectations. 

Good luck everyone! 

Justin