4 Game-Changing LinkedIn Secrets for Crushing the Competition in Today's Job Market

Online presence is a critical component of your career portfolio, especially when engaging in the job search process. Hiring teams are guaranteed to look at your social media profiles, and LinkedIn is the most important one of all.

I notice that some of my millennial clients don’t put enough effort into their LinkedIn profile and engagement activities. Sometimes it’s because they’re fresh into their careers and don’t have a ton of content to populate their profile yet. Sometimes it’s because they think it’s less important than a resume. Other times, they just don’t like social media.

Ultimately, your LinkedIn profile needs to be regularly updated, accurate, and engaging, especially if you are doing outreach and networking activities. 

I’m giving you the 4 key ingredients that will help you jazz up your profile and stand out in a meaningful way.  And trust me - I’ve been on the other side of the hiring table for 15 years and can quickly identify a standout profile!

Ingredient 1: Superior ‘About Me’ 

As a hiring manager, this is my favorite - and most telling - section of a LinkedIn profile. Unlike a formal resume which uses dry language, your LinkedIn profile allows you to show personality. This section should be roughly 2-3 paragraphs summarizing your career journey and what makes you unique. 

Include your core competencies, accomplishments you’re proud of, the things you’re passionate about and what projects you love to collaborate on. This is the place to lean into creative writing, be authentic, and have a bit of fun.

Ingredient 2: Nail Your Headline

Did you know that your initial headline determines if hiring teams read the rest of your profile?  Alongside the picture, it’s a first impression of you. It could attract (or repel!) recruiters, new industry connections, and more. 

The headline should succinctly state your professional identity and area of expertise. A good formula to use is: your job title followed by a statement of your expertise/who you help. Example: Social Media Strategist | Delivering award-winning social campaigns to small biz owners

Ingredient 3: Details are Everything

One typo screams “No attention to detail” to a recruiter/hiring team! Please use spell check. Please review everything for typos. Please run it through a program like Grammarly. Please use a professional headshot photo.

Fill out all the possible sections with relevant content. Don’t overlook recommendations! If your profile isn’t thorough and/or has typos, it’s an alarming data point since it’s a public profile and a direct reflection of you and your professional identity. A strong attention to detail will make you stand out. 

Ingredient 4: Content is Key

Gone are the days where having a great LinkedIn profile was enough to stand out. Today’s job hunters need to take things further by showing engagement in the industry. Sharing great content with your professional community and engaging with others’ content is super important. Share valuable content that will help people, and  you will stand out as an industry expert. People will engage with good content and want to learn more about you. 

Warning! Great content has to be backed by a solid LinkedIn profile. This ingredient should only be explored when your profile is complete. 

There are many more ingredients that make a LinkedIn profile pop off the screen. There are also plenty of strategies around how to engage with your professional network on LinkedIn. But these are just a few of the items I’d spend the extra time perfecting so that you can be found by the people you want to connect with and build a strong online network. 

If you’re looking for support with building your online presence to enhance your job search opportunities, let’s connect! I’d love to discuss the ways my expertise as a hiring manager and career coach can get you the results you’ve been looking for.