The LinkedIn Mistakes Job Seekers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
To save yourself the frustration, here are the most common mistakes job seekers make and, of course, ways how to avoid them.
It's easy to underestimate the importance of a strong LinkedIn profile in the job search process. Not having a completed, polished profile is like sending up red flags to employers. It shows them you're not taking this job search seriously and don't particularly care about the quality of your application - which could mean career disaster down the line!
Show employers you care with an up-to-date and polished LinkedIn profile; it'll demonstrate ambition while saving them time. Taking this extra step will get you well on the way to finding a role perfectly suited for your skillset - talk about win/win!
Don't make the mistake of overlooking details – make sure that your LinkedIn profile shines and gives you the best shot at securing an interview for your dream job.
Such mistakes include:
1. Not Customizing Your LinkedIn URL
One of the most common mistakes many people make when creating their online profiles is leaving the default letters and numbers at the end of the URL. That's a surefire way to make your brand blend with everyone else's - not exactly the type of personal branding you want.
A much better way to create an engaging profile is to change it to "yourname", or as close as you can - this allows for much more recognizability and makes your personal brand stand out from all the others. If you don't have access to ""yourname"", try using a variation that still helps identify who you are.
I did this with my LinkedIn page. So, instead /in/jantegze-474877, I now have https://www.linkedin.com/in/jantegze/, which helps anyone visiting exactly know who it belongs to in an instance!
Additionally, once you create your new URL, go back and change it anywhere else it may have been shared, such as on resumes and email signatures. Doing this will help ensure everyone recognizes your unique brand every time they visit!
2. Not Including a Profile Photo
Keep in mind that one of the most important elements of any LinkedIn profile is the profile picture. It's essential for making a good first impression when networking with other professionals or potential employers.
Branding and personal marketing are all about creating emotion-driven connections between the author, their message, and the audience. People put more trust in a message when they can put a face to it, which is why LinkedIn says that profiles with photos will get up to seven times more views than those without one.
Having an online profile without including your photo is not only a missed opportunity to stand out from the crowd, but also a lost chance to really emphasize your brand and engage people. Using visuals, like a profile photo, plays an important role in establishing you as an authority in your field and increases the chances of making meaningful connections with your audience.
3. Not Using a Professional Photo
LinkedIn statistics stated that a profile is 7x more likely to be found in LinkedIn searches by adding a profile photo, but your profile photo should be professional and show the best version of yourself.
When choosing your profile photo, make sure that it looks professional and reflects who you are as a person. Avoid photos with props or graphics, such as sunglasses or hats, as these can be distracting. Profile photos from a party, group photos, or selfies taken with a cell phone will decrease your chance instead of increasing it. Additionally, make sure that the photo is of a high-resolution and well-lit so that it looks professional and polished.
4. Not Optimizing Your Profile Headline
When it comes to your LinkedIn, the headline of your profile is often overlooked but definitely shouldn't be! Employers scouring through resumes are likely to skim a list of job titles without taking too much time.
Avoid adding quotes or any other creative and cool descriptions; this might seem like a great way to stand out, but it won't earn you the job! If you're looking for a job right now, don't add "Actively looking" to your profile. Instead, opt for the green Open to job banner with your current job title. Making sure that you have the right keywords in your headline will set you off on the right foot and could make all the difference when employers consider your profile.
5. Not Optimizing Your Profile
Even if you are not actively looking, your LinkedIn profile is part of your brand, and it helps you attract recruiters, hiring managers, and new connections. And if you are looking for a job, keeping an updated LinkedIn profile is essential. And if you have the book, Job Search Guide, you know how it can be immensely helpful for jobseekers. This book arms readers with all the knowledge they need to optimize their LinkedIn profiles to capture potential employers' attention. Jobseekers learn how to use action verbs, incorporate relevant skills, and highlight accomplishments so that employers notice them.
LinkedIn offers users an opportunity to showcase their skills and experience to potential employers— it's important that you take advantage of this in order to stand out from other applicants. Make sure that your summary includes keywords related to your industry and summarizes what makes you unique from other applicants.
Also include any awards or certifications that demonstrate your expertise, as well as any volunteer work or extracurricular activities that could help strengthen your application.
6. Not Having Up-To-Date Information on Your LinkedIn Profile
Having an outdated profile on LinkedIn is like leaving your resume in the printer at work when it's time to look for a new job. Updating your LinkedIn profile should be a priority because it's what potential employers, colleagues, and recruiters will use to decide if they want to engage you.
Failing to stay current on your profile can mean that you miss out on opportunities that could really change your life for the better. Invest the time and energy into keeping your information accurate and interesting - you'll reap the benefits sooner than you think!
7. Not Adding Your Skills
Another mistake many jobseekers make on LinkedIn is not showcasing their skillset properly. On the Skills & Endorsements section of your profile, list all relevant skills that you possess relevant to the jobs you are targeting.
These skills should also be listed in your headline or summary section, so recruiters can easily find them when searching through profiles. Additionally, ask former colleagues and supervisors to endorse you for those skills so potential employers can see what kind of experience others have had to work with you in those areas.
Why is this important? It's vital because 44% of companies on LinkedIn rely on skills filters to identify candidates!
8. Not Trying to Reach All-Star Rating
The profile completeness level shows how your profile is. The level of your profile will increase as you add more suggested sections. This helps improve the discoverability of your profile in search results and increase profile search appearances.
If you reach an all-star rating, that means your profile is complete, you should expect more visibility on LinkedIn, and you would be more likely to be found and contacted. Actually, users with an all-star status are 40 times more likely to get contacted through LinkedIn compared to users who are yet to attain that status.
There are eight key components to amp up your profile to an all-star status:
Profile Photo, Industry & Location, Summary, Experience, Pictures and Videos, Education, Skills & Endorsements, and at least 50 Connections. If you add all these to your profile, you should expect better visibility.
9. Ignoring Recommendations
Recommendations from past colleagues or employers can be extremely helpful when applying for jobs on LinkedIn yet many job seekers ignore this crucial step! Recommendations provide tangible evidence of how well you have performed in past positions and offer potential employers an understanding of what kind of employee you will be if hired at their company. Reach out to former leaders via email or over LinkedIn messaging and politely ask them if they would be willing to write a recommendation for you. A recommendation often works like a social proof of your quality, and having at least three of them will improve your chances of being contacted with new opportunities.
10. Not Networking Every Day
Last but not least, you should network. Not expanding your network is a disadvantage.
Networking is the last but certainly not the least task when developing your LinkedIn presence. After all, having a great network of like-minded and knowledgeable people can open up countless opportunities to advance further in your industry. Taking time to connect with peers, mentors, and even competitors will help you stay on top of emerging trends and allow you to view problems from different perspectives.
Having connections who can vouch for your skills is one of the most powerful tools available on LinkedIn. Make sure that you reach out to those contacts you have already established relationships with and those who may be able to provide valuable insights into potential jobs, so they can recommend you when appropriate opportunities arise.
Networking also offers you the chance to build strong relationships with industry luminaries and veterans who understand what it takes to be successful. A great network can give you even greater insights into developments within your field and provide invaluable resources and advice. So, don't skimp on networking, as failure to expand your circle could potentially school you out of significant chances for success!
Why Your LinkedIn is Important
It's no surprise that having a great LinkedIn profile is an essential part of career success. After all, your profile is often the first thing potential employers and recruiters will look at when considering you for a role.
That said, it's also important not to forget to be active on the platform. Making regular posts, engaging with others, and building your network are key to achieving success with LinkedIn. You're more likely to connect with interesting people and expand your knowledge if you engage with the platform.
As you can see, your LinkedIn profile is an important tool in helping you land the perfect job—but only if it's optimized correctly! Avoiding these mistakes will ensure that recruiters and hiring managers notice your credentials and put you at the top of their list of potential hires. Investing time into crafting an impressive profile now could save you hours later when applying for jobs.
In fact, many roles aren't even listed anywhere - if you don't have your foot in the door already or a recruiter or hiring manager who knows you exist, it's unlikely you'll find out about these hidden opportunities.
Having a strong LinkedIn profile with a solid list of skills and experiences may open doors for you when you least expect it. Why don't you give it a go today – who knows where it could take you tomorrow?
Good luck!
What are Your Thoughts? I Want to Hear from You!
Questions and Answers
Have you ever had a question about recruiting but were too afraid to ask? Now you can ask your question anonymously. Ask your question here.
Hi Jan, How Do I Grow My LinkedIn Networking Quickly?
My suggestion: Make sure your profile is optimized and up-to-date, showcasing all your skills and experiences. Doing this alone can cause a major spike in interest; not only will LinkedIn suggest you as a connection to people who already have similar backgrounds and professional experiences, but also other professionals in those fields can find you too. This will be the first step toward creating a profile that supports your brand, as nobody will accept invitations from an incomplete profile.
After that, join discussions related to your field and actively participate: comment on posts and make your own! Make sure your posts are thoughtful and helpful - this will make more users want to connect with you. If you don't know how to write a post, many tools can help you with that.
Finally, reach out directly with personalized messages customized for each potential connection - adding a few sentences about something you have in common or think could benefit you both professionally can go a long way.
Last Note
As I wrap up the last newsletter issue of Job Search Guide this year, I am confident that next year will bring many exciting and fruitful opportunities for all of us. It has been a pleasure to serve as your guide throughout this journey, and I'm excited to help you take your job search to new heights in 2023! 🚀
Until then, enjoy the holidays with loved ones and reflect upon what has been accomplished this past year. Cheers to new beginnings (and new jobs) - here's wishing us all an awesome next year!
See you in 2023!
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