How To Customize Your LinkedIn Profile for Job Recruiters

If you’re serious about your career and professional opportunities, you should take advantage of the LinkedIn platform. Furthermore, you should have a profile that showcases your personality and is optimized for the job that you’re looking for.

Below, we share why your LinkedIn profile matters to job recruiters and offer seven tips to customize your page, helping you stand out from the crowd.

If you’ve already engaged in some of these tactics—that’s great! But perhaps, you will find one or two new tips to take advantage of. If you have not put much effort into your current LinkedIn profile, hear us out: implementing even half of these recommendations will set you apart from other job applicants.

Why Does My LinkedIn Profile Matter?

Many people tend to believe that their LinkedIn profile won’t help them get a job—and treat it as any other social media profile, such as Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. While your job experience, personality, and work ethic play a large part in securing your dream role, having your LinkedIn profile set up to the nines will give you an advantage over other candidates.

Need more specifics? LinkedIn provides endless opportunities for those in the job market. As a job seeker, you must understand the following details about this game-changing platform:

• Job recruiters and managers are on LinkedIn. In fact, 77% of recruiters use LinkedIn daily when searching for potential candidates.
• Your LinkedIn profile builds trust and reputation. Think of your profile as a validator that you’re not a bot—the more you put into it, the greater the chance of a recruiter reaching out to you.
• LinkedIn provides excellent networking opportunities. As you grow your network on LinkedIn, recruiters may notice a mutual connection that gives you something in common with them.
• LinkedIn keeps you up-to-date on new job openings. The more detail you put into your profile, the more jobs LinkedIn will be able to recommend for you. 

>>> Related Resource: How To Get the Job: An Exclusive Guide to Candidate Success

7 Ways to Customize Your LinkedIn Profile

1.   Add a Professional Headshot

Your headshot is the first thing a job recruiter will likely see when landing on your LinkedIn page. LinkedIn research shows that individuals with professional profile photos receive 14 times more views than those without a photo. Therefore, treat your profile picture as your first impression and introduction—helping you to present yourself as the professional, friendly and hardworking individual you are.

2.   Choose a Relevant Banner Image

Your LinkedIn banner image is another way to make a great first impression; use this opportunity to show off your personal brand and help you stand out. You can also use your banner to show your intention in your job search. Canva is a great free tool with templates that you can use to design your own LinkedIn banner image.

Pro Tip: LinkedIn banner sizing is 1584 x 396px.

3.   Create a Custom Profile URL

Setting up your custom profile URL allows other members and job recruiters to identify you in search results quickly. It also shows that you’ve taken the time to differentiate yourself from a string of random numbers and letters. You can easily create your public profile URL on LinkedIn using these instructions.

4.   Write a Unique Summary About Yourself

Research shows that carefully reading a person’s LinkedIn profile can reveal true elements of their personality. When a job recruiter visits your LinkedIn profile, their goal is to get a glimpse into what makes you unique as a professional and person. They want to learn about your passions and accomplishments, so don’t be afraid to brag about yourself a little bit.

5.   Be Creative With Your LinkedIn Headline

Your LinkedIn headline affects how job recruiters and prospective employers perceive you. Because this element of your LinkedIn profile shows up in Google search results and is one of the most important fields for LinkedIn's search algorithm—it’s not an area you can skimp on.

6.   Add Relevant Job and Volunteer Experience

LinkedIn is all about showcasing your work experience—this section is the true meat of your profile. Ensure to include all relevant experience, even volunteer work or past internships. The more you have to show, the more likely a job recruiter will interview (and hopefully hire) you. If you already have a standout resume, you should be able to fill in this section very easily.

7.   Incorporate Keywords Throughout Your LinkedIn Profile

Keywords are the most common way that recruiters find suitable job candidates, which is why it’s essential to sprinkle them throughout your LinkedIn profile. Job recruiters rely on LinkedIn's algorithm to show the most relevant profiles based on their keyword search.

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