How I write LinkedIn profiles that lead to job offers
As a writer who helps other writers and creatives secure new job opportunities and increase their earnings, I believe that LinkedIn is the missing link for many job seekers.
What do you mean, Jasmine? I’m on LinkedIn and I’m still not getting interviews.
Okay, let me clarify.
You may be on LinkedIn, but how much love have you given your profile lately?
LinkedIn is a great (free) way to easily market yourself to employers and show recruiters/hiring managers who you are as an employee — and a person.
Here’s the guide I use to create LinkedIn profiles that lead to job offers.
Always include a background banner
Every section of your profile should be strategically leveraged to tell your story. And it all starts with the background banner.
You can edit that?
You can and you should!
A banner photo helps you stand out from the pack and reinforces the written portions of your profile.
When considering what image to use, I like to start with the following criteria:
Does it convey one of your passions (work or otherwise)?
Is it visually interesting?
Is it high resolution and does it look good on mobile and desktop devices?
Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a photographer to have a stellar background banner. Once you identify what you want your photo to be, there are plenty of free sites offering royalty-free images for you to choose from.
Say “cheese” (or don’t) in your profile picture
LinkedIn research shows that just having a profile picture makes you 14 times more likely to be viewed by others.
One study of 800 profile pictures found that people who smile in their profile photo are seen as more likable, competent and influential. But don’t feel obligated to post a smiling photo of yourself if it feels disingenuine. The goal is to put your most authentic foot forward.
Consider what you’re wearing in your photo. In a post-COVID world, there are very few industries left that require you to wear a suit. So if you’re wearing one in your picture, you might come off as stuffy and over dressed. Choose a picture where you’re wearing an outfit (preferably a solid color) that makes you feel confident.
Much like the banner photo, make sure you’re using a high-resolution photo, 400 x 400 pixels is recommended.
If you really want to make a splash, hire professional photographer to take a headshot or let AI do the work for just $30.
Write a Headline that says what you do at a glance
While many people default to their job title and current employer, your Headline (located below your profile picture) may be the most important part of your LinkedIn. Use it as your elevator pitch to tell recruiters what you do and what you’re looking for.
When recruiters are searching for potential candidates, they’re often scanning headlines for keywords that match the positions they are looking to fill. Feel free to get creative with your headline but make sure to include the industry and/or the job title you’re seeking.
Answer the ‘tell me about yourself’ question in your About summary
Your About section is a great place to get creative and really tell your story. I like to use the following format:
Start with what you do, what industries you’ve worked in and how many years of experience you have
Next list your soft skills and strengths
Then explain what type of work environment you thrive in
Lastly share your passions outside of work
And don’t forget to tag your top 5 skills.
Put everything into your Experience section
While your resume should only share relevant jobs from the last 10 years, your LinkedIn can and should showcase your breadth of experience.
Whether you choose to summarize your achievements and job duties in a narrative or bulleted format doesn’t really matter as long as you include them.
Also, don’t forget to tag the skills you utilized in each job.
Education, professional development and volunteering matter (somewhat)
When completing your LinkedIn profile, feel free to include educational experiences like study abroad. You never know when your travels might be relevant to the job you’re interviewing for.
Also, it doesn’t hurt to include licenses and certifications whether or not they are directly tied to the work you do.
Who doesn’t love someone who leverages their skills to help others? If you volunteer in the community, share the organization(s) you volunteer with and and what makes it meaningful to you.
Don’t be afraid to have fun with your LinkedIn profile, especially if you’re a writer or work in a creative field. Treat it as a portfolio piece. Brag on yourself, you’ve earned it.
So give it a try and let me know how it goes. An optimized LinkedIn profile could be the key you’ve been missing to landing your next role.