Six Ways To Boost Your LinkedIn Profile Visibility
You hear it all the time. "If you want to be successful in your job search, you have to be on LinkedIn." ~90% of recruiters are on LinkedIn seeking candidates to fill positions. Every day, you hear someone say they found their latest job through LinkedIn. But with 660+ million users on the platform, how do you make sure that your profile gets the right level of visibility and doesn't get lost in the shuffle? Is it really possible to stand out? While the task of setting yourself apart in an endless sea of LinkedIn profiles seems daunting, I've got six tips to help get you started!
How To Improve Your LinkedIn Profile Visibility
1.Work Your Introduction Card.
In building your LinkedIn profile, you want to make sure it stands out and draws readers in. It's not enough to have your education and work experience sections filled out. LinkedIn calls the very top of your profile "the introduction card". This section includes:
- Name
- Profile photo
- Background photo
- Headline
- Current position
- Education
- Location
- Contact info
It's the very first thing people see when they come to your profile, and that can be the reason that people either click off your profile or continue reading further. So take the time to optimize your introduction card. Make your profile photo a professional headshot or have someone take a formal photo for you. No selfies, please.
Step away from the standard blue LinkedIn background photo, and use another photo that shows more of your personality and is relevant to your field.
Create a compelling headline. If you're a marketing manager, spice it up a little bit. Nothing is wrong with the standard "Marketing Manager at XYZ Co". But as an example, you can also try "Marketing Manager at XYZ Co. | Social Media Marketing | Digital Strategy | Campaign Development". See the difference? Not only is this headline more powerful, it also includes keywords to be searched by recruiters and hiring managers.
2.Build an Outstanding Summary. THIS IS IT.
The major draw of your profile. After someone looks at your introduction card and clicks on your profile, the very next thing they will focus on is your summary. As a result, take the time to create something intriguing. Don't lazily copy and paste the qualifications summary from your resume. Remember the goal is to grab the reader's attention. So this is a place to tell your story.
Showcase not just your accomplishments and accolades, but also your values and passions. Highlight your special sauce, i.e. what makes you different from any other candidate someone may come across. Essentially, this is your profile's sales pitch, so make it count!
3.Show Them What (Skills) You Got!
Updating your skills section is another way you can add relevant keywords to your profile to ensure it's searchable for the roles you are looking for. Identify the key skills that are pertinent to your industry and those that are incorporated into the job descriptions you want to apply for. Once you have all the skills listed, you can also reorder them within the section to make sure the most desired/marketable ones are at the top.
4.Join Groups and Start Discussions.
There are LinkedIn groups for just about every industry and discipline. Utilize LinkedIn's search functionality to identify groups that are relevant to your profession. You can even join groups that are specific to your geographic location. Also join your school's Alumni groups so you can connect with fellow alumni who may work at companies you are interested in.
But don't just join the group and ghost. Check out some of the existing discussions and make your own contributions to the conversation. And you don't have to stick to the active discussions. If you find a discussion that may have gone cold, but you can make some key points, go ahead and comment and restart the dialogue! Members will get notified and rejoin the conversation. Then when you're ready, start a discussion of your own! You can show off your knowledge and expertise while building connections with key decision-makers and like-minded professionals.
5.Write Articles.
LinkedIn offers the feature where you can write native articles on the platform. If you want to get hired, people need to be aware that you really KNOW your stuff. Articles provide a great opportunity for you to share the depth of your experience and knowledge with the world. You can share your perspective on industry trends and changes. But be sure to promote your articles. Share them not only in public posts, but also share them in the groups that you are a part of. If you aren't connected to everyone in the group (yet), they may not come across the article right away so putting the link directly in the group can help drive more traffic not only to the article itself, but also to your profile.
6.Do the Little Things!
There are so many small changes you can make on LinkedIn that can help boost your profile's visibility. Make your profile public. Customize your profile URL (and then include a clickable link on your resume and cover letter). Switch on the feature that lets recruiters know that you're open to new opportunities. Secure recommendations and endorsements to be added to your profile. Update your certifications and accomplishments. Little tweaks to your profile like these can also prove helpful in getting more eyes on your profile.
For more information about Julia Rock, check out Rock Career Development or follow her on Instagram.
Featured image by Shutterstock
Article originally published on March 30, 2020
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna On Letting God Lead Her Relationship With A$AP Rocky: 'I...Just Let Go'
Rihanna is spilling all the tea about her relationship with A$AP Rocky. The couple has been on our radar since rumors about them dating began back in 2020, wondering what they were going to wear next and whether they were serious. Well, a few short years later, they both became parents to two sons, RZA and Riot, and they continue to support each other.
Rocky was there when Rihanna performed at the 2023 Super Bowl and he's supported her on the red carpet at her Fenty Beauty events. The "Kiss it Better" singer has attended her "Fashion Killa" collaborator's shows, such as his Paris Fashion Week concert and Spotify Beach concert at the Cannes Lions Festival.
In her cover story with Interview, the billionaire songstress opens up about her relationship with Rocky, sharing how they got together and whether she wants more kids. Here are the highlights:
Rihanna On A$AP Rocky's Style
Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
"Isn’t he the best? I be feeling bummy as shit next to this man. I feel like, goddamn, I look like his assistant. I’m getting on a plane. We should be in sweats. He wants to be in a full Bottega suit. I’m like, “Why you got to do that to me?”
Rihanna On Performing with A$AP Rocky for the First Time
Rihanna explained how the Harlem rapper "grabbed my ass" during their 2012 VMA performance, but she didn't get mad. “Ah, nah.” That’s why everybody was like, “Oh my god. She likes him.”
Rihanna On When She And A$AP Rocky Began Dating
"We saw fashion the same. We saw creative the same. We ended up in the same circles a lot. And past that, when we grew up, we ended up supporting each other’s brands and products and creative all the time. I would wear his shit, he would show up to my launches. But it wasn’t until the end of 2019—"
Rihanna on Dating With Caution
"No! We’ve known each other for a long time. I’ve seen him in relationships. He’s seen me in relationships. We’ve seen each other outside of relationships. We knew what we’re capable of, and the trouble that we could bring to each other’s lives. We can make or break each other’s hearts. And so, we started dating with a lot of caution.
I just let whatever was supposed to happen, happen. It was just, “This is a flower. It’s either going to die or blossom. But I’m going to let it decide itself.”
Rihanna on How COVID Sped Up Her Relationship with A$AP Rocky
Photo by Jackson Lee/GC Images
"COVID sped up our relationship, which I felt like god knew we needed because we were going to start a family. And had it not been for COVID, we would’ve taken a lot more time to get comfortable with each other, to even know that we were ready."
Rihanna on Letting Go In Her Relationship with A$AP Rocky
"I let god lead and just let go. Because in previous relationships, I tried and tried and tried my best, and you still feel like it’s not enough. So when someone sees you completely, and believes in you, and thinks you’re worthy of being the mother of their kids, it’s a great feeling. I felt the same about him. I knew he would be a great dad."
Rihanna on Wanting More Kids
"I don’t know what god wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl. But of course if it’s another boy, it’s another boy."
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