How to Maximize Your LinkedIn Profile to Attract Recruiters

Maximizing your LinkedIn profile is essential so recruiters can see it. (source: Unsplash/@linkedinsalesnavigator)

Surely many of you have heard of or even have a LinkedIn account. According to statistics from Social Media Perth (SMPerth), as of April 2022, LinkedIn has 830 million users worldwide. Are you one of those 830 million users? For those who are going to create a LinkedIn account or already have an account but want to optimize their LinkedIn account, let’s learn how to maximize your LinkedIn profile to attract recruiters.

Why is LinkedIn Important?

Not only job seekers but students can also take advantage of LinkedIn. Why? Having a LinkedIn account proves that you are dedicated to pursuing a career. Many professionals use LinkedIn to build connections, find jobs, and showcase their skills & achievements. Using LinkedIn not only provides opportunities for students to find work but also builds connections with professionals and learn new things because many experts are actively sharing tips on LinkedIn.

Also read: Non-Academic Activities Useful For College Students.

Tips to Maximize LinkedIn for Students

(source: Unsplash/@nathanareboucas)

• Use professional photos

(source: Unsplash/@wocintechchat)

Having a profile photo increases your chances of being noticed by recruiters, so remember to include your photo. Make sure your profile picture is professional and polite. As much as possible, do not use selfies or blurry photos. If you are unsure what photo to use, you can use your university ID photo.

It doesn’t need to be too formal, like a passport photo. The important thing is that you wear polite outfits and look presentable. You can also adjust the aura of your photo to your major or career (if you already have a job). There are lots of examples of profile photos for LinkedIn that you can see online.

• Don’t forget the headlines

Examples of good LinkedIn headlines for students. (source: Resume Worded)

What are headlines? Your headline will appear below your name on LinkedIn. Your headline will also be seen everywhere. Citing Job Scan, the headline along with your name will appear in LinkedIn searches, job applications, posts, messages, recommendations, and even invitations to connect.

Headlines aim to tell recruiters concisely about who you are, your skills, and the industry you are in or what services you offer. You can look at professional accounts for examples of good headlines.

• Compose an interesting and descriptive summary

Remember to fill in the summary section! Take this opportunity to tell your stories. Students can share where they are studying or studied and the major taken. Explain your expertise and work interests; if you are already working, explain what you do. Use the summary section to explain who you are and promote yourself to recruiters’ attention. The summary also does not need to be stiff and formal. You can play with your words and be as creative as possible! This can invite anyone who views your profile to view your entire LinkedIn profile.

• Don’t ignore URLs

Customize your LinkedIn URL according to your name. (source: author)

The URL is the link to your LinkedIn profile. Make sure that you create a URL that matches your name. For example, if your name is Adam Baker, your LinkedIn URL could be like this: www.linkedin.com/in/adambaker. This URL is important because recruiters can use it to find your LinkedIn account.

• List the services you provide

List what jobs you are interested in and what services you provide. (source: author)

If you open your profile, you will see the sections “Open to Work” and “Providing Services.” Don’t forget to fill in both fields! This will help your profile to be exposed to recruiters who are looking for talent that fits the position or role you are interested in.

• Build your connection

It’s not just Facebook or Instagram where you can follow people. On LinkedIn, you can follow someone by “connecting.” The algorithm will boost profiles with more connections. But this doesn’t mean you just want to connect with anyone. You can start by connecting with your friends or even your lecturer. You can even connect with the recruiter(s) when looking for work! If your connections are high in quality, you can get the opportunity to find new job opportunities and get to know important people.

• Follow professional people and groups

As previously explained, students can use LinkedIn to learn more about the things they are interested in and also learn new things. Are you a marketing student? You can follow professional accounts or groups that provide information about marketing. When else can you learn from the experts directly and at no cost?

• Post and be active

This is one of the most important and useful ways to get the most out of LinkedIn! You can use your account like it’s your CV or portfolio. You can share your experience doing an assignment, your achievements, and others. For example, journalism students can share their experiences and documentation covering an event or incident. Who knows? Your post may become popular, liked, and even shared by many people. You can also get job offers from your posts.

• Collect endorsements

It’s not those kinds of endorsements– like those artists on Instagram. Endorsements are a LinkedIn feature that allows your connections to support or testify your experience and skills by pressing “endorse.” Of course, it would be better if the person who endorses you is a professional such as your lecturer, supervisor, or boss. This will validate your skills and work experience.

Also read: Get to know the UMN Film & Animation Program.

Conclusion

Here are some ways students can maximize their LinkedIn profile to attract recruiters. The platform may seem complicated, but by knowing some of the essential features of LinkedIn, you will be familiar with the application in no time. If you maximize and optimize your LinkedIn profile, you can be searched for and found by recruiters and don’t have to bother looking for jobs. Keep your spirits high!

Sources

• Penulis
• Social Media Perth
• Forbes
• Resume Worded
• Job Scan 

By Levina Chrestella Theodora | UMN News Service

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora

Kuliah di Jakarta untuk jurusan program studi Informatika | Sistem Informasi | Teknik Komputer | Teknik Elektro | Teknik Fisika | Akuntansi | Manajemen| Komunikasi Strategis | Jurnalistik | Desain Komunikasi Visual | Film dan Animasi | Arsitektur | D3 Perhotelan , di Universitas Multimedia Nusantara. www.umn.ac.id