LinkedIn, the professional’s Facebook, has over 10 million members, and there are around 12.5 million working professional in Australia - which means your future employer is probably on the site.
And, LinkedIn’s head of brand marketing and communications, Shiva Kumar, told Yahoo Finance that employers are big fans of finding potential candidates on the site, which means even just having a profile boosts your chances of getting a gig.
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But if you’re unsure how to make your profile stand out from the rest, you’re probably not alone.
Kumar tells Yahoo Finance exactly how to use LinkedIn to guarantee you land your dream job
1. Have a good profile picture
Kumar said LinkedIn members with a great profile photo get 21 times more profile views.
“It builds credibility instantaneously, and trust,” Kumar said.
2. List your skills
LinkedIn members with five or more skills receive up to 17 times more profile views than those without.
Once you’ve added skills to your profile, you can reach out to former colleagues and ask them for endorsements, which shows others in your field believe you had those skills too.
3. Show the industry you work in and your location
Kumar told Yahoo Finance that it’s important to let future employers know exactly what industry you’re working in.
And, those who have their locations set receive up to 19 times more profile views.
What else can I add to my LinkedIn profile?
The experience section tells employers where you work, but it’s a good idea to add in some information about what you actually did there.
“You don’t need a lot in there,” Kumar said. “Think of it like an elevator pitch.”
Find a way to showcase your achievements, and try not to use buzz words, Kumar added.
“If you were promoted three times in your role, write that in there.”
Kumar also advise adding visuals to your experience, like projects you’re working on or past presentations you’re proud of.
Don’t forget your connections
“You’ll be surprised how much your community can help you get your dream job,” Kumar said.
That means being active on the site; connect with people in your network who can introduce you to others who are hiring.
“Reach out to them, have coffee with them and ask them to introduce you to people who are hiring.”
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