The tips to finding a job on LinkedIn

GONE are the days of CVs and in-hand portfolios. You need to have a professional presence online and even then that is not enough to stand out.

THE start of the year is a peak time for both job seekers and employers on LinkedIn as you have companies looking to execute their new year strategies and individuals looking for a new career challenge in the year ahead.

LinkedIn Director Talent Solutions Australia and New Zealand Jason Laufer shared the best ways to get noticed on LinkedIn by a potential employer.

Profile Picture

Including a profile picture in your profile is a must. Putting a face to your name makes it 21 times more likely to be viewed, But first impressions last, so make sure your profile picture is professional, up-to-date and shows your personality.

Buzzwords

Are you motivated, creative, passionate? Great. So is everyone else on LinkedIn. Do yourself a favour — delete every single one of these buzzwords from your profile and replace them with keywords. Using the right keywords significantly improves how your profile will perform in searches. Include keywords featured in desirable job descriptions to ensure you get noticed by the right people.

Highlight your experience

Your profile is viewed up to 29 times more if you have more than one position listed. Add visuals like pictures, videos and innovative presentations to your experience section. If you are just graduating, make sure to include your school history.

Showcase your skills

Maintaining a relevant list of at least five skills on your profile will help others understand your strengths and match you with the right opportunities.

Location matters

Including the city where you are based makes you stand out up to 23 times in searches. Often recruiters will use advanced search based on location, so the more details you have the more likely you will be found and connected to your next opportunity. Also, former colleagues may want to reconnect if they have recently relocated or are travelling for work.

Have a voice

Writing and publishing long form posts on LinkedIn is an easy and effective way of growing your influence, gaining more visibility and acquiring new connections.

Keep your profile active

Share content that excites you, such as a gripping video or a well-written news story with as little as a sentence.