3 Ways to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Stand Out to Employers

When you submit your resume for a job opening, you can count on hiring executives to check out your LinkedIn profile. Here are 3 ways to make your profile stand out to employers and other professionals:

1. Post a professional headshot of yourself

Post a professional headshot picture of yourself. Your photo should be recent (past 3 years). Don’t crop wedding pictures or similar photos…and don’t use a photo that includes your partner or kids.

If you’re overly anxious about your appearance, consider using a professional photographer. Tell the photographer you want to project a professional, attractive, positive image. Listen to their suggestions and trust their opinion over your spouse’s or your own.

Welcome straightforward, unbiased advice (hairstyle, facial hair, clothing styles, jewelry, glasses). Lean towards being on the conservative side unless your profession dictates otherwise.

2. Your About section should not have the same information as your resume

Your About section should not have the same information as your resume. This section should answer the interview question: Tell me about yourself.

Think…what makes me different from anyone else?

Engage your visitors by sharing your elevator speech in the first person so they get a flavor of your personality and social skills. You are allowed 2,000 characters max. Use as many of them as you can, and make sure they include a few keywords relevant to your profession.

3. Load your Experience with keywords

Recruiters and today’s AI-powered search tools scan your Experience section for keywords, so think of it as both a resume summary and a search engine. Under each position, use bullet points with measurable accomplishments, and weave in the skills, software, methodologies, certifications and industry initials your profession uses (for example PMP, ERP, SaaS, Six Sigma, GAAP).

Then add those same terms to your Skills section. Mirror the language in the job postings you’re targeting, but keep it honest and readable for the human who reads it next. If you are late in your career, only go back 15-20 years and leave the graduation date off your college degree to avoid age discrimination.