What recruiters look for in your LinkedIn profile?

A complete profile is such an important factor—it’s how you can show recruiters who you really are to the full extent.

Simply put, the more complete your profile, the better the odds that the recruiter will find you in the first place. INCOMPLETE PROFILES ARE A TURN-OFF and make it more difficult to determine whether you’re the best match for the job.

Image Source: pixabay

It’s also important after the recruiter has found you and decided to click on your profile. Recruiters are looking for details. Prepare your profile for all the filters they are going to use to find a right candidate for the job.

Provide information on Career History as well as Educational and Professional Credentials. Make sure you've included all the major stories and accomplishments from your past jobs and that every certification, training program and professional designation appears somewhere on your profile.

According to LinkedIn, profiles that include a photo are 21 times more likely to be viewed than those without one. They are also nine times more likely to receive connection requests.

So, Smile for the camera! Don’t use selfies. It should look professional and representative of the job you are seeking.

The number one priority for a potential LinkedIn profile is a clear LinkedIn headline.

Make the most of that headline by clarifying your industry and job function.

A profile with a targeted headline not only shows that you are job-searching, it helps you to stand out in a keyword search.

The Summary can either help you stand out as a candidate — or blend in with the crowd — and that's what you don't want to do!

Highlight what’s in it for recruiters to contact you, such as your achievements, honors, and success stories. Use short copy blocks and bullet points so they can read your summary easily.  It’s also critical to include keywords about your industry for easy searchability.

Profiles with just a few contacts are unappealing. The most effective people have robust networks, and your LinkedIn profile should represent that. The more first-degree connections you have, the more easily you'll be found on LinkedIn. You don’t need thousands, but 300 or more is ideal.

A thumbs-up from a member of your network does more than boost for your profile; it lets a recruiter know that others can vouch for you.

It goes without saying that third-party testimonials go a long way. Great third-party testimonials go even farther. So, ask a few key people to write a LinkedIn recommendation for you, and be specific: Tell the person precisely what you’d want showcased and offer specific examples or instances that show why you’re a candidate of value.

List your professional associations in your profile and keep them up to date. Participating in industry discussions or groups is a great way for recruiters to see you. More often than not, they are checking out these discussions or groups as a way to find candidates. With that in mind, showing off your knowledge and being memorable is yet another way to illustrate why you’re a great candidate.