It’s every executive’s dream … to never have to look for a job but to be sought, recruited, and pursued for just the right kinds of opportunities.
That dream is more likely to come true if you make your expertise very visible so that you can be found when recruiters are searching. If that’s NOT happening for you, here are some possible reasons.
Your LinkedIn Headline does not say anything distinctive or valuable about you.
The Headline (right below your name and next to your picture) is extremely valuable real estate. When you include meaningful information (more than just your job title), you increase the chance that a recruiter will read further to learn more about you. So think about how you can use those 120 characters to entice recruiters and others searching for top talent.
Your Profile does not include the right keywords in the right places.
When we describe a profile as “keyword-rich,” we mean that it is packed with relevant terms that describe your expertise and your experience. If your Profile is bare-bones (just your job titles and employer names in the experience section, for instance), you’re missing an opportunity to be found via the keyword searches that recruiters use to turn up potential candidates.
Additionally, you should include keywords in your Summary section so that recruiters will see them in the quick snapshot they pull up.
Your LinkedIn Summary is not well written or interesting.
Errors, inconsistencies, and sloppy formatting send a poor message. Long, dense paragraphs of text are uninviting to read. Your Summary is your chance to tell your story in a way that’s relevant to your target readers (recruiters, potential employers, network contacts). Good writing makes a good impression! And a well-told story will draw in your readers and give them insightful information about you – beyond simply knowing your career chronology.
You are not visible in your industry or profession.
You can demonstrate your influence and engagement in a number of ways on LinkedIn. For example:
- Have a good number of connections – at least 250, and 500+ if you can.
- Make sure your Endorsements are an accurate reflection of your strongest skills.
- Follow key individuals and companies in your industry.
- Attend industry events (and post them in your Profile).
- Even better, speak at industry events and add those presentations – and publications, if you have them – to your Profile.
- Write blog posts that reflect your professional expertise. Share your posts via LinkedIn, Twitter, and other media. Hope to attract comments, likes, and re-tweets!
- Belong to Groups for your profession or industry and make intelligent, relevant contributions.
Recruiters look beyond LinkedIn, of course, but this rich, highly searchable platform is an ideal place for them to start. Make sure they are finding you, and finding all the right things about you, to attract their interest and prompt a conversation.