Understanding LinkedIn Search to Improve Your Rank | Job Search Tips

Many professionals have a love hate relationship with LinkedIn. Some only joined because a former company suggested it was a good idea. Now is the time to leverage the website for all it is worth to get the most out of it for your job search. Here are 7 practical tips for maximizing your LinkedIn page.

  1. Connect and complete. The LinkedIn search algorithms sort connections by relevance automatically. This means you show up at the top of the list for people who are already connected to you. It will also include your profile over someone else’s based on completeness. For best results grow your network through 1st level connections and make sure your profile is 100% complete.
  2. Keywords. Most recruiters will search LinkedIn for keywords related to their open position. The site is designed to return results based on where these keywords are located in a profile. Update your headline, your job title, and your skills sections to provide the best data for searches.
  3. More is more. LinkedIn allows you to have a certain number of characters in your headline – use them all. Join as many groups as possible. 50 is the LinkedIn limit but that number doesn’t include subgroups. Create the most detailed profile portrait you can using all of the space available to you.
  4. Advice for contacting. Many LinkedIn users will add keywords to the section designed let someone know how to contact you. LinkedIn does not use this field for their searches. Maximize this part of your profile with the most complete information on how a recruiter or hiring manager can get a hold of you, including phone numbers and an email address. You don’t want to make it difficult to reach you once they find your profile.
  5. Variety is the spice of LinkedIn. There are so many ways a recruiter can search for a specific job function. You never know what words they are going to focus on so be sure to use all of them. Throughout your summary and headline and job descriptions use a variety of synonyms for your functions. For example if you are a bookkeeper you may also want to use words such as accountant, accounting clerk, financial auditor, or even treasurer throughout your profile.
  6. Chart your progress. You’ve seen the sidebar that says “Who’s Viewed Your Profile.” This can provide some insight on the effectiveness of your LinkedIn account. When you click on this link it takes you to a page that includes a chart. You can see your views and your appearance in a search. When you show up in a search it shows your profile photo and your headline so if you’re not getting as many views as you would like consider changing these to grab the attention of the searcher.
  7. Beyond the boundaries. The LinkedIn professional network is the number one social engine that appears in Google searches. If you LinkedIn profile is complete and optimal you may find yourself getting noticed not just within the site but beyond it.

Are you looking to optimize your LinkedIn profile? The professional staff at CornerStone Staffing is available today to help you with your current job search.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *