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5 linkedin tips- how to Search Engine Optimise your resume for online success
Have you ever had that feeling when you look at your Linkedin profile and think “I know something’s not right but I don’t know what it is”. You look at other people’s profiles and wonder how did they get theirs to look so good?
Your Linkedin profile is totally different to your resume. The purpose of your resume is getting you an interview for a job after reading a job ad or job description. It’s customised to the job you’re applying for based on the criteria they’re looking for. On the other hand, your Linkedin profile is written to have a profile available for a potential job or to build a network. To do this it needs to be search engine optimised so that people can find you. If your profile isn’t search engine optimised then you’ll be at the bottom of the search results when recruiters and potential employers are trying to find you!
So how do we know it works? Here’s what one of our clients, Phill had to say this week:
“Hey Jane, thought I would let you know I have been doing some basic “tweaks” with Linkedin (changed my public profile URL to ‘name withheld’ It was avail ) … And my hits have jumped from 6-8 per week to nearly 20 already !! WOW !! I am super impressed… thank you again for your wonderful help….”
Bear in mind too that your profile also leverages off google so your profile will show on google as well.
So, the top 5 tips to make your online profile SEO friendly are:
- 1. Remember most job seeker searches result from your skill set, not your name: remember that the recruiter looking for someone with your skillset will not necessarily know you name so you need to make sure that your profile, particularly your title is a flexible and relevant to the type of person that you want to find you. If you’re currently in admin support and would like to be an EA, write about the work you have done like calendar management, phone call screening etc. A recruiter will type the skill “Executive Assistant Brisbane” in the search bar
- 2. Have at least 20 connections: Research has shown that those who have at least 20 connections start to come up in more search results connections and see more results. As a job seeker, there’s no point to having an online profile if you’re not connected to enough people as you won’t come up in the search results.
- 3. Try to get at least 10 recommendations: Recruiters and networks will look for what people have said about you as a testimonial. You and your asset base are a business in itself so they want to see what people have said about you! Furthermore, they’ll look to see if they know one of those people and may even call them to ask about you! So, if your profile has at least 10 recommendations you’ll also come up high in the search results. The best way to request recommendations is to write them for others and for every 10 you write you’ll ideally get back about 40%. So get writing!
- 4. Join and contribute to groups: Join as many groups as you can that are in your industry locally. For example, if you’re a SAP specialist then join the SAP Professionals group, or a local IT group of professionals. I get asked in I know anyone for different roles all the time so I put it out the groups I’m in.
- 5. Write your profile for the job you want rather than the job you’ve had. For example, if you have too much focus on your prior career as a Vet but you’re looking to move into business management then you will just get call from people looking for a vet. Always make sure your content matches the job you want no the job you’ve had.
So, overall your Linkedin Profile can open some amazing doors for you so don’t let opportunities pass you by with your online profile saying the wrong things about you. Your Linkedin profile is like a website for a business so market yourself and your asset base. It’s free to set up your Linkedin profile so start today!
Jane Anderson is an accredited Career and Executive Coach based In Brisbane Australia. She has been featured in various publications and the media in Australia and is available for Career Coaching, Interview Skills Training and Linkedin Profile Development face to face, over the phone and on Skype.
If you’re not sure where to start or what to do contact us and we can write your profile for you and train you in how to maintain it.
