Here at That’s Good HR we are always discussing the hot topic of social media recruiting. As an Indianapolis staffing firm we are always thinking of ways to better prepare our candidates for a successful job search. Recently, we discussed getting your social media profiles ready and now we are ready to delve into your LinkedIn profile. Here are the recommendations our recruiters in HR, accounting, finance and healthcare administration have for creating an excellent profile:
- Your photo should be a clear head shot
- Business attire is recommended for your photo (no t-shirts, strapless dresses)
- The picture should be of just you, not your family, because this is a professional networking site, it’s not a social site
- We recommend that you have someone snap a picture of you over using a selfie
- It is preferred that your facial expression be appropriate for a business setting, unless you will make a duck face during an interview, it shouldn’t be your profile picture either. Same rule applies to the “screaming” facial expression
- Add your educational information
- If you didn’t graduate, no worries, just put down the amount of education you have
- List a description of your work experience for each position you have held.
- While it doesn’t have to read like your resume, you do want to include more than your title at each position in case a recruiter is reviewing your profile. I know as we recruit here in Indianapolis for our clients, we use a lot of keyword searches that will pull profiles that are a close match for the position we are filling. Include as much detail as possible on your job responsibilities as well as your accomplishments!
- Include a summary of your qualifications, including the industry or field you are passionate about.
- If you are currently unemployed or close to graduation, this would be a great time to update your summary so everyone knows what your target is.
- Watch your grammar and punctuation in this area.
- Add any relevant skills you have to make your profile searchable
- Include your volunteer experience as long as it’s recent
- Add in any certifications, publications or awards you have received
- Double check your email address connected to your account is one that you use regularly, so you can respond in a timely manner.
- Ask prior supervisors, clients or co-workers for recommendations
- If you are just getting ready to graduate and you don’t have any supervisors then ask former teammates from class projects to write you a recommendation.
- Coaches or internship mentors are also great for writing recommendations
- Join groups in professional organizations you are interested in
- This will keep you up to date with the latest information, news from your field of study or industry of preference
- Follow companies you have an interest in to stay up to date with any news or changes happening with their organization
- This puts their updates into your daily feed so you can easily see when they have a new opening
As a leader in Indianapolis staffing, That’s Good HR is here to assist you in your job search, every step of the way. If you have any questions on your LinkedIn profile or how to create one, please reach out to your recruiter/staffing specialist and they will assist you in making your profile shine!
