You might be applying for jobs with your resume on BCJobs, but your potential employer would still be checking your LinkedIn profile. The interviewer gets more detailed information about you and can check if your profile matches the job description. Therefore, improving your LinkedIn profile significantly raises your chances of getting that interview call.
You can also make your LinkedIn profile stand out with a couple of small tricks.
5 Ways To Improve Your LinkedIn Profile
1. Create a custom URL for your profile
LinkedIn is no different from other social media platforms when handing you an impersonal and unnecessarily long URL. This makes it hard for recruiters to find you. If they type your name into the search bar, they might find hundreds of people with your name.
A custom URL with your name and occupation as the focus also adds to the impression of professionalism.
To customize your URL:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile.
- Click on ‘Edit public profile & URL’ at the extreme upper right corner of the page.
- Select ‘Edit your custom URL,’ which is again on the upper right.
2. Optimize your headline
Your headline is one of the ways recruiters come across your LinkedIn profile.
When they type an occupation into the LinkedIn search bar, you have a high chance of appearing on the top if your headline letters match their search.
Recruiters might also take a closer look at your profile if your headline interests them.
Instead of only adding your current profession, write out a line about how your profession can benefit them.
3. Request recommendations and filter endorsements
Testimonials from your friends, employer, and colleagues can go a long way in assuring recruiters of your expertise.
Try to have at least one recommendation for any role you list.
At the same time, don’t add every endorsement you receive from others.
Some endorsements, such as basic skills like PowerPoint or Microsoft Office, aren’t worth adding to your profile and do nothing to appeal to your recruiters.
4. Set your location
When someone searches for a profession in a particular region, your profile will have a better chance of appearing among the recommendations.
Set your location to a place you want to work.
This trick also benefits getting your invitations to industry events because people know you live in the city and have a higher chance of extending one to you.
5. Use the featured section
The featured section is there for you to prove the skills you claim to have. If you don’t have much experience, it can act as the perfect portfolio where you add your sample work.
Attach publications, presentations, photos, blogs, and ideas to this section. Recruiters will likely peruse this area first after reading your headline and header.
Final Thoughts
Recruiters have to go through thousands of profiles before they give a call to schedule an interview. When a potential employee appears for an interview, they hope you get the job because they’re also looking for the right fit for a company. So, improving your LinkedIn profile helps them determine if you have any chances of filing for the position.
About the Author
BCjobs.ca is Western Canada’s largest job board, with the majority of the jobs coming from Vancouver. For nearly 20 years, BC Jobs has connected job candidates with companies looking to add talent to their teams. Here at BCJobs, we understand that looking for a job is difficult. To support our candidates, we recently launched a podcast to help you stand out during your job application. Listen to weekly episodes on our podcast to hear what recruiters are thinking and what companies look for when considering their next hire.
