Is Your LinkedIn Profile Ready for Prime Time?

As a hiring manager, LinkedIn is one of the tools I use to identify and vet potential candidates for job openings along with their resumes. A well-crafted LinkedIn profile is an extension of your resume and can be the difference between landing your dream job or being overlooked by recruiters and hiring managers. In this article, I will be examining what makes a LinkedIn profile stand out from the crowd and how to make sure your profile is ready for prime time.

First and foremost, your profile picture should be professional and clear. A headshot in professional attire with a plain background is ideal. Avoid selfies or photos taken in casual settings like nightclubs and parties. Yes, it is 2023 and I am still saying this. Unless of course, you want to work in entertainment, by all means, have at it. My husband and I have both worked in the entertainment industry so it can be entirely appropriate for that, however, might not translate well to a business role. Key phrase here is "Know your audience". It is a tough market out there with all of the layoffs, so remember, your LinkedIn profile is your digital resume, and your profile picture is the first impression you make on potential employers. Not having a LinkedIn profile photo may hurt a candidate's chances of getting a job.

According to LinkedIn, profiles with a photo receive 21 times more views and 36 times more messages than those without.

A profile without a photo can give the impression that the candidate is not invested in their professional image or that they are not serious about their job search. Additionally, recruiters and hiring managers may assume that the candidate is hiding something, which can lead to further scrutiny or disqualification. Another unfortunate trend occurring are resume scams and fake profiles. Whilst Linkedin is quite good about spotting this, some do slip through the cracks.

Next, your headline should be a brief, catchy phrase that encapsulates your professional brand. Avoid vague, generic headlines like “Looking for a job” and instead focus on a specific skill set or accomplishment that highlights what you bring to the table. For example, “Marketing Professional with 5 Years of Experience in Social Media Strategy and Branding.”

Your summary should be a brief overview of your professional experience, accomplishments, and goals. Keep it concise and to the point. Highlight your unique skills and experiences, and use keywords related to your industry to improve your visibility in search results.

Ensure your experience section is current and highlights your most recent and relevant work experience. I have so many people asking me if I can help them find a job, however, they don't even have their employment details populated. Why should a hiring manager take time for you if you can't do the bare minimum to update your LinkedIn profile? Best practice is to use bullet points to list your key accomplishments and responsibilities in each role. It also helps if you indicate if short-term roles are contracts. Avoid overused jargon and cliches and focus on concrete examples of how you added value to your previous organizations. If you have metrics, even better. Hiring managers LOVE to talk about that stuff.

Your education and certifications sections should also be up-to-date and complete. Make sure to list any relevant coursework or specialized training that sets you apart from other candidates. If you have certifications that are current, have them on your profile with cert verification links. If your PMP or CSM for example is not current, don't list it as if it is current if it is not active and you are no longer a certified practitioner. This wastes recruiting/hiring manager time and detracts from qualified candidates. This could also cause one to believe you have a lack of credibility/ethics. I can't tell you how many people I have met that have lied on their resumes over my 20+ year career. I always catch them. Hiring managers that have done the job that they are hiring for know.

If you are going to "In Mail" the hiring manager, please, I beseech you, do not use the autogenerated template Linkedin gives you. When you do that, there are about 100 other people sending that same auto-generated email to the hiring manager. This is probably why most people say they don't hear back when directly contacting the hiring manager. Those that do hear back from the hiring manager are adding in personalization. On the subject of In Mail, I will also tell you the most important thing you can do when a hiring manager responds to you and engages you....respond back to their question. I can't tell you how many people contact hiring managers on a daily basis asking about a job or trying to sell themselves with auto-gen messages. A hiring manager will look at the potential candidates' profiles and see you don't have any education, skills, or certs on your profile. This sets up red flags. Most hiring managers won't bother to press forward and will ghost you. The nice ones will ask do you have any certifications in XYZ? (Cuing my megaphone voice) This is your opportunity to stop what you are doing and get that information on your profile now with a verifiable link if it is not already there and contact the hiring manager and say "Yes I have XYZ Certification from XYZ Alliance". I can't tell you how many people lose opportunities this way. They just leave you hanging like a bad, casual chat message. I don't have time for that and neither do other people. It shows a lack of effort and is rude. Communication is a key aspect of most jobs today. If you can't hack the basics, Linkedin has some great training. Am I being a bit harsh on this, yes. Do I say it to help you? Also, yes. I tell my twins the most important thing you do each day is show up for school. The most important thing you can do when you have the hiring manager engaged with you on Linkedin is to SHOW UP...Bring your A game. There is so much competition out there and roles are getting filled FAST.

Finally, engage with your network and join relevant groups and discussions in your industry. Post updates about your professional achievements, share interesting articles or insights and comment on other people’s posts. Building a strong network on LinkedIn can help you stay top of mind with potential employers and improve your visibility in search results. Even consider starting a professional blog. Showing you are active and innovative lends to your credibility.

In conclusion, a well-crafted LinkedIn profile can be the key to landing your dream job. Take the time to make sure your profile picture, headline, summary, experience, education, and certifications are up to date and showcase your unique professional brand. Engage with your network and stay active on the platform to increase your visibility and build relationships with potential employers. I could do a whole article on LinkedIn SEO and things you can do to show up higher on Linkedin, but that is not the point here. Seriously, if you engage the hiring manager, be original and respond. By following these tips, your LinkedIn profile will be ready for prime time and help you stand out in a crowded job market. I wish you the best of luck out there. I am always happy to help those bringing their A game.