BLOG: How to Improve Your LinkedIn Account

The economic downturn has been detrimental for the United States economy in the past few years. Though the economy has started to turn around, millions of people are still out of work.  If you are one of those millions of people looking for jobs there has to be a resource, a guide that they could use to find employment.  Well, if you’ve been searching for a job you probably already know about LinkedIn.  For those of you who haven’t heard of this amazing website, LinkedIn is a social networking site and a profile based online resource guide that helps it’s users “advertise” themselves so potential employers can simply search for future employees.  LinkedIn can be difficult to understand, so here at the DCR Chamber we thought it would be beneficial to give you a few tips to make your LinkedIn account become the best it can be.

Tip 1: Take advantage of LinkedIn groups that apply to YOUR job market.  LinkedIn is full of local and specific groups containing thousands of members that attract other users and hiring authorities to find new employees.  For example you could be an electrician and searching for a new job.  Can you guess what group you would join? If you said the Electrician group (or something along those lines) you’re correct!  Joining groups on LinkedIn is one easy and efficient way to get yourself out there and into the job market!

Tip 2:  Setup your virtual CV.  Completing your LinkedIn profile correctly and thoroughly will help you get hired faster.  This is because many times the first thing that employers look at when they search for you is your professional profile.  When an employer first sees your LinkedIn profile they want to see a thoroughly completed virtual CV as well as a consistent one.  For example, when you are filling out your past job experiences and you use one short summary paragraph followed by a few bullet points make sure you use that format for all the rest of your past job descriptions. Also make sure you use a professional headshot.  The bottom line is take time to fill out your profile and your chances for getting a job will skyrocket.

Tip 3:  Use the right keywords when you type your personal summary.  The summary is at the top of every LinkedIn profile and is made up of a simple short summary of your talents and goals for your future career.   If you want companies to start approaching you start by including keywords that businesses will search for if they want to find someone with your skills.  So if you are an accountant include relevant keywords that employers would use in their search like CPA, Tax, small business accountant, corporate accountant, etc.

When you are filling out your LinkedIn profile it’s important that you take lots of time and thought.  Think through each part your profile and try to include the most information possible and keep it consistent.  Use keywords, take a professional photo and don’t forget to join groups!

Happy job hunting!
~Dan, DCR Chamber Intern