Top 40 Things Every Job-Seeker Should Be Doing on LinkedIn
Don’t miss out on the complete LinkedIn guide with examples on the video after reading this blog.
Click on a video tutorial for a full list of recommendations with a screenshot of LinkedIn recommendations. Need help with LinkedIn Optimization? Contact us!
For jobseekers – According to one estimate based on worldwide figures, 122 million users got job interviews via LinkedIn, and 35 million were hired by a LinkedIn online connection. ( Source Wikipedia)
Headline- attract employers and recruiters with the right keywords. Target future job titles and write accomplishment statements. There is a character limit so be concise.
About– put the most important part here, This part should tell employers why they want to read more. Hook them to see more. Then write accomplishment stories.
All-star profile
When you reach an All-Star rating, that means your profile is optimized for success but doesn’t guarantee you will be found by employers. According to LinkedIn, profiles with an All-Star rating are 27 times more likely to be found in recruiter searches.
How To achieve All-Star status
You must have at least 5 skills listed. LinkedIn allows you to add up to 50 skills in this section. The more skills and endorsements you list the more likely you will show up in LinkedIn searches for particular skills.
Customize our LinkedIn URL for a resume
Avoid numbers at the end of your name. If you have a common name then you need to make your URL unique. Tips, add a dash or period within your name. Feel free to add your credentials (MBA, PMP, etc)
Recommendation- request for recommendation from your previous boss, teammates, or clients. One of the validations of your brand is a digital recommendation!
Avoid actively seeking to look for opportunities (ONO) on your headline as unemployment is not your goal.
Your headline is crucial to attracting employers, why should they hire you?
Company search with keywords which are the title and top skills. You will not show up on their list by looking for a job title. Target the right keywords. Refresh weekly or whenever you want, there is no limit. You could check if your keywords are the right ones.
How to update unemployment on LinkedIn?
Add a current title and don’t leave it blank. In order to show up in the ongoing search list, you need to have the currently worked section updated. Add the title you are targeting with keywords. (check screenshot on the video)
How to Organize Your Skills on LinkedIn
When was the last time you checked your top skills?
Take a look at the skills for the job you are targeting.
Revisit and reorder your skills.
Recruiters use keyword skills to find you. What are your top skills?
Create a list of the skills for targeted jobs. LinkedIn lets you have 50 skills!
Choose relevant skills for the job you have or the targeted job. Ditch unwarranted skills, it will otherwise confuse recruiters
Tip- find people with the same titles and see what are their top skills?
Keep the 3 most significant skills at the top.
Periodically rotate those top 3 Skills to increase the number of Endorsements.
Ask for endorsements from highly skilled in that area.
This is how recruiters are searching for you on LinkedIn.
Optimize your LinkedIn
How To Get A Job In LinkedIn & Get Approached By A Recruiter On LinkedIn| LinkedIn Branding!
✓ Your name should match the resume.
Don’t confuse recruiters with multiple names.
✓ LinkedIn allows you to use 120 (mobile) - 220 (desktop) characters for your Headline use it to your advantage!
✓ Place Industry jargon under your headlines. Add a professional background picture.
✓ Target the right titles based on the job search. For example- a Sales Coach could be used as a Sales Manager or a Sales Leader.
✓ Add certifications beside your name and under education too, recruiters search by designation, certification as keywords.
✓ Update location, if you are moving soon add a future address to show up in the search. Add willing to relocate.
✓ Avoid full address for privacy, city, and province will work. Don’t be generic such as “Canada”. They are looking for locals. Try GTA instead of a specific location” Toronto”. Use career interests with multiple locations.
✓ There is no need to list months under professional experience unless it is less than a year.
✓ List parent company – example- Tangerine (owned by Bank of Nova Scotia ). Tangerine (previously ING DIRECT)
✓ Take a skills assessment test on LinkedIn as Recruiters will be using the filters to find the right candidates
Read tips on how to update and communicate career breaks on LinkedIn with examples
For tips on networking on how to reach out to hiring managers on LinkedIn.
Check this blog later for multiple sample scripts. Need help with networking tips?
Sweta Regmi is a hiring manager from award-winning companies turned into Founder and CEO at Teachndo, a Certified Career & Résumé Strategist.Sweta Regmi is a globally recognized top career expert, speaker, and LinkedIn Top Community Voice for Career Development, Job Search Strategies, Personal Branding, Public Speaking, Resume Writing, and Interviewing with over a decade of experience empowering career professionals. Sweta's insights are featured in CBC National News Prime Time & Local, Global National News Top Story & Global Local News, CNBC, Wall Street Journal, HuffPost, CTV News, City News, FOX 26 News, Daily Mail, BNN Bloomberg, 5 times in Globe and Mail, Yahoo News, National Post, MSN, theaustralian.com.au, FORBES, Toronto Sun, 80+ times in LinkedIn News, LinkedIn Hello Monday award-winning podcast, LinkedIn Creators, Indeed, Employment services, Top Colleges and Universities, Career Conferences, Leadership Conferences, and 100+Top media outlets have widely recognized Regmi's expertise, see here. Regmi has also partnered with leading brands and organizations to elevate and spearhead career strategies, career sites, and outplacement and establish non-profit employment services partnerships. Her RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards nomination by Women of Influence in 2022 and 2023 further demonstrates her success as a recognized career expert in Canada. Regmi is also the Amazon Best Seller of 21 Resilient Women: Stories of Courage, Growth, and Transformation. The book has been recognized by libraries, ministers and MPs in Canada.
Subscribe to YouTube career tips
Follow Teachndo on LinkedIn