Your remarkable CV is ready to be sent and your convincing motivational letter is about to blow your future employer’s mind. Sounds great, but have you checked your activity on your social media lately? In recent years, screening online profiles became a huge part of the hiring process.
Companies are starting to look at your cyber footprints to get an overall picture of you. Especially LinkedIn has become an important target for recruiters. They are not only screening applicants, but actively looking for potential candidates on this website.
Therefore it is time to step up your game and fix your social media presence. Whether you are a job seeker or a full-time student, having a professional and unforgettably powerful LinkedIn profile can certainly boost your career. In the following lines, we will show you how you can impress hiring employers on LinkedIn in 5 easy steps. Let’s get started!
#1 Look Professional
LinkedIn is commonly known as ‘the Facebook’ for professionals and your profile picture is the first thing scrutinizing recruiters will come across. Remember, your LinkedIn acts as your digital resume, but it is still a social media platform to showcase yourself. This means you should not go for a rigid passport-worthy headshot, but rather a professional photo that portrays who you are.
For instance, put on some formal wear and pose naturally in front of a neutral background or a modern, industrial scenery. Take inspiration from other LinkedIn users and look for the latest trends regarding appealing application photos. Most importantly, don’t forget to smile and be authentic. This way you are good to go!
#2 Spice up your Headline
Your job title does not define who you are and it should go under the ‘experience section’. Your LinkedIn headline gives potential employers an idea of your background and skills. Be concise about what you are looking for on LinkedIn to give other people the opportunity to contact you accordingly.
Whether you are looking for an expansion of your network or a job, a clear headline will help you and others to filter quickly. Our pro-tip for you: stick to K.I.S.S (Keep It Short and Sexy) and you will increase your profile views and attract valuable connections.
#3 Make It all about you
After the first two steps, the one place you should invest the most time in is the ‘summary section’. This section is the first one your profile visitors will see and it really needs to catch their attention. You want to build up an impression of yourself here and really show off your potential and value. Tell your story in a few sentences and share your aspirations with the world. However, keep it on a professional level and never forget to K.I.S.S!
#4 Enhance your profile with visuals
A picture is worth a thousand words. Meaning, the more visuals you have, the less you have to write. Add photos, slideshow presentations, and videos in your profile summary to give your powerful LinkedIn profile the finishing touch. It will make you stand out among all the other wordy profiles and at the same time, it will show your effort and your creativity!
#5 Be an author
Actively writing and publishing on LinkedIn will add value to your profile. Entertain your network with interesting stories from your daily business life and share relevant information. The more you share, like and comment, the more attention and clicks you will get.
Without a doubt, having solid writing skills will work wonders here. If you manage to reach out to a large audience, chances are people will start to follow you and your network will grow tremendously. And who knows, a recruiter from your dream company might stumble upon your powerful LinkedIn profile.
Now that your LinkedIn profile is ready, keep working on your attractiveness in the job market. To further boost your career, you should consider getting some hands-on work experience overseas. Employers are constantly on the search for candidates with outstanding intercultural competences and prior work experience.
It doesn’t matter if you are just getting started in the job market or already gathered a fair amount of practical experience. We will find a fitting company for you that suits your abilities. So what are you waiting for? Kick-start your career and apply at www.meijiinternships.com for your dream internship abroad.
