LinkedIn Don’ts: Why your profile isn’t getting the attention it deserves
Ever wonder why your LinkedIn profile isn’t getting the attention you’d expect? You're an expert in your field, you have great tenure, progression within your company - but you’re ready to find something new. However, despite hearing about how persistent recruiters can be on LinkedIn, inundating people with messages, you’re not receiving outreach for the types of roles you’re interested in, if any at all. (Trust me, we are looking for you!) If you’re not getting the outreach you expect, it’s probably due to a few small, but crucial factors missing from your profile.
Searching for qualified candidates for opportunities, we scan hundreds (really in most cases these days thousands) of profiles, just to find a handful of people interested in new roles and who have the right skill set to fit our clients’ needs. The first place our search begins is on a tool called LinkedIn Recruiter, which allows us to conduct complex boolean searches on a variety of different fields and keywords. Everything and anything on your profile could be relevant and could be a factor we’re using in our search criteria.
So, let’s try to break this down into different profile sections and look at how that affects if you’ll show up in the RIGHT search results.
Open to work? - Let us know!
First things first: if you are legitimately trying to get a job RIGHT NOW, you’ve got to utilize the “Open to Work” feature. The first people we start with in most searches are the folks who are actively looking for a new job and telling us by displaying it on their profile.
Now, there is a subtle, but important distinction between displaying that publicly, which you may not want to do if your current employer doesn’t know you’re looking for a new job - and displaying it only to recruiters, meaning only people with the LinkedIn Recruiter tool will be able to see this. Your current company would not be able to see it unless someone in their TA team went out of their way to look for you.
It’s all in the details
Now that you’ve jumped to the top of our search results, what are we looking at? Some of the biggest oversights we see are easy updates to make to your profile that will make it far more obvious to recruiters that you’re the right person for a particular job. We know that the exact same title can mean 2 completely different things depending on how your company classifies your position - so add a little bit of detail.
Pay attention to the Work Experience and Education sections. Let’s say we’re looking for an accountant who specializes in corporate tax returns, the first person getting a message is the one whose profile shows “Bachelors in Accounting” and some job titles that show “Staff/Senior Tax Accountant” with a description mentioning “S-Corps, C-Corps” - and possibly what industries the clients occupy. Often sifting through candidate profiles, we’re looking for keywords that indicate you have the experience our client is looking for. A few additions to clarify your responsibilities and day to day work will help a recruiter identify you more quickly.
What NOT to do
We’ve covered a couple of tips to help your profile stand out to recruiters in a positive light…but what are some of the things that make us scroll past profiles - and what you should avoid on yours.
Plain and simple - your profile should be free of grammatical and spelling errors. Be sure and use proper capitalization when listing your name, previous companies, and titles. When updating your profile, read, re-read, and read through again. It never hurts to ask a trusted friend or coworker to proofread your profile and point out any errors you may not have noticed.
Think of your LinkedIn profile like a virtual copy of your resume - your profile should accurately reflect your work experience, and should match what you have on your resume. Your profile shouldn’t over- or under-represent your work experience. It’s as simple as this; anything you’ve achieved or anywhere you’ve been employed should be on your resume and profile, and anything you haven't should be left off. We are trusted partners for our clients and candidates, operating in full transparency, and expect the same in return.
Final Touches
While a less-than-professional photo DOES NOT stop us from reaching out to you, if you want to create the most compelling and competitive profile you possibly can- it is worth taking a few minutes to find a well-lit room in your house or office and getting a clean, clear headshot of yourself. iPhones and other smartphone cameras are more than adequate these days and it shows that extra attention to detail that tells hiring managers you take your career seriously. The jacket-less photo at the wedding after party or rocking out at your favorite concert is all fine and well - but not doing you justice as the professional you are!
To state the obvious, LinkedIn is a professional networking site. Remember that what you put online IS public - including what’s on your profile. We’re advocates for pushing the needle forward, creativity, and inventive marketing but remember that what you’re posting is visible to a future employer. Our advice is to err on the side of caution. On the fence about posting or commenting? Sleep on it, think about how it may be perceived by a hiring manager, or colleague. Are you making a polite, well-reasoned argument against something you have a different perspective on - or are you being rude, aggressive, and ignorant of tone? Would you say this to someone in an office setting, or face-to-face on Zoom - if the answer is no, it may be best to address the issue with that person directly.
We know job-hunting is no easy feat…and we’re here to help! If you’re looking to connect with a recruiter - look no further because you’ve found The Ultimate Connectors!
Meet the Authors
Savannah Gregory
Senior Talent Specialist, HR & Talent Acquisition
Jeff Seidl
Senior Talent Consultant, Talent Solutions
Your next opportunity awaits.
Job hunting can be stressful and making a career move can be intimidating. We know all too well. Our team of talent professionals is here to support your search every step of the way. Whether you’re seeking your first full-time gig, looking for contract-to-hire opportunities, or ready to take the next step in your career, we’ve got you covered.