The importance of having a strong LinkedIn profile –
In the modern world most recruiters will use social media as a means to a first impression often prior to an interview – A good profile with an accurate overview of your career history that matches up to your CV not only shows you have a professional persona online but also means the interviewer is likely to trust you more (people can write anything on a CV however are less likely to put false information about companies they have worked for and positions online). We all know how important first impressions are and this can change the feelings of a perspective employer either negatively or positively before you even get in front of them, let’s make sure it’s positive.
- You can gain proof of your skills, talents and work ethic – Previous employers or colleagues are more likely to leave a review or testimonial on a strong LinkedIn page than on a page which is infrequently used and not well thought out; again these testimonials can go a long way in making a good first impression to prospective employers and will give them more assurance that you are someone who would be valuable in their team
- It helps you gain exposure to prospective employers and recruiters
- It’s a good way to show prospective employers a bit more about your personality; perhaps you’re a keen fundraiser for charities, have interests in supporting wellbeing and mental health in the work place, perhaps you like to keep up to date with current affairs or you’re an avid gym goer – following groups and pages within your career field and personal interests gives a good impression of your interests in work and non-work related activities
What are the main topics to show in your in your profile?
Up to date information about your career and skills – Be sure to have your recent job title, relevant work experience, qualifications and corresponding timeframes all correct on your profile. Make sure this is clear and has no chance for discrepancies as it is so important this information matches with your current CV which you are using for job hunting and that the information is accurate and clear (often we see profiles where an individual is working for two employers at the same which can happen if you’re a freelancer or have two part time jobs) explain this. You don’t want an employer to be confused about your background, or worse, think you’re being dishonest about your employment – this will be a red flag right away.
- Above all, be truthful – Some of us can also fall into the trap of having false claims of expertise… for example exaggerating our job titles or responsibilities or skills “Language Skills: French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, Swahili, Latin…” do you really speak all of these fluently? Impressive if it’s true… but please remember you may be questioned on these further down the line by producing certificates or by way of references etc if you are seen to be bending the truth you won’t come across as a trust worthy employee
- Information is key, just not too much – There is a fine line between too much or not enough information. Some people have profiles which are very vague, some go on and on, ensure your profile is relevant (we don’t need to know about your babysitting job for your neighbour 20 years ago unless it’s appropriate to your current career or responsibilities)
- Header – The very first thing someone will see on your profile is your headline and the first two lines of your summary section. If you don’t grab their attention, they’ll click away and the opportunity is lost. You have 120 characters in your headline so use this to tell people who you are and what you do.
- Photos – We can’t stress enough the importance of appropriate photos. Choose a fairly recent photo that looks like you and isn’t highly edited or photoshopped – no snap chat photos with doggy ears please, keep it simple and professional.
Use a high-quality photo with good resolution, using a dark gloomy photo is not only difficult to see but gives the impression of not really making an effort.
Be the only person in the photo – you want to stand out and want employers to know who you are and remember your face. Save team or group photos for your banners if you like.
- Get someone else to take the picture for you – It’s fine to use a photo taken with a mobile phone but best to steer clear of a selfie. Ask a friend or colleague instead — it only takes a minute and it can make a big difference.
- Ensure you choose the right expression – Generally speaking, smiling is the best approach as it helps to put potential employers at ease and make you look more approachable and friendly. However, be aware this is your opportunity to create your own personal brand, therefore if you consider your brand a little more serious, a plain and professional expression within a photo is also acceptable.
- Choose the right background – Busy backgrounds with too much going on can be distracting, that’s not to say you need to stand in an empty room however a natural or painted wall is perfect. You can use photos of your work or workplace in your banner photo instead.
- Choose suitable banner photos – Banner photos are a great way to add some colour and interest to your profile; you could show off your workplace, logos, or perhaps some of your own work. You can also use things like sky lines of your favourite place or where you like or a shot of some nice scenery or perhaps a team photo
- Choose what to wear – Every workplace has a different vibe when it comes to the dress code, and your profile picture can help potential employers get a feel for that vibe right away. You don’t want to be over or underdressed, so try to pick something appropriate for your current work place or places you would like to work. Also a work uniform or business attire is also acceptable.
Why is honesty so important?
If you aren’t honest, somebody will eventually find out – When they do, this can cost you a job opportunity and bad news can travel fast, especially in the close-knit hospitality industry. Don’t bend the truth on your resume; if you didn’t do it, don’t post it. If you ‘kind of’ did it, however exaggerated to make it sound better, don’t do it. Employers value trust and honesty; skills can be taught and developed over time – we’ve seen many a “less qualified and less experienced” candidate land a job because they have come across as very honest and genuine.
Are recommendations useful?
Yes! They’re so important – The more people you have worked with who say good things about you, the better. If an employer feels positively about you after your interview they may re-visit your profile on LinkedIn to see what other people say. If this supports their thoughts about you, they will feel more confident and be more likely to offer you the job. Equally if an employer has any red flags following an interview (which can happen as we are all nervous and may miss things about our skills during the interview) these things may be included on your profile or asked for during a recommendation and can totally turn round a decision if they are shown to be there.
Following and engaging with companies
I’m sure you’ve heard of the phrase “it’s not what you know but who you know’ and it does help to have connections on LinkedIn within your field. If you have a strong profile and a good presence online and come across well during your communications, you just never know who may be watching and what opportunities can come from that. It can also help you to research and find companies who you might like to work for in the future and keep you in the loop with current market trends and competition
Other important information
- Spelling, grammatical errors and typos – When posting content or communicating to an audience, remember it is a professional networking platform, so avoid using slang abbreviations e.g. such as “u” instead of “you” – you’d be surprised how many people treat LinkedIn like it’s Facebook!
- Keep your statuses and comments positive – No political rants and please don’t tell everybody how bad your work place has become. Keep your posts specific and positive. Posting a link to an article that adds value to your industry is a great idea.
- Use the platform to connect with people – Don’t use the platform only for job hunting. Use it to connect with other people; it’s a great way to meet new people, learn from them and to give them the opportunity to learn from you. In the future, when you are job hunting or looking for new clients or customers, those authentic relationships you formed may come in handy.
- Try to respond to all private messages if you can – If something isn’t of interest to you right now it could be in the future or that person could be. A nice polite response is always welcome and often remembered and can help stop you getting inundated with the same sales pitches over and over.
- Don’t post too much personal information – LinkedIn isn’t Facebook or Twitter – it’s a professional network. A good rule of thumb is to not post anything on LinkedIn that isn’t related to business. Keep it professional. This doesn’t mean you can never post anything of a personal nature, it’ good for employers to see a bit of your personality shining through but limit it and consider your audience on LinkedIn before doing so.
