A Pragmatist’s Guide to LinkedIn(ing)

By Kristen Carter
Contributor, Career Services

Nowadays, you can find a plethora of blog posts and articles referencing how to best maximize your LinkedIn profile during your job search. While much of the content can be repetitious, there is a reason why professionals continue to hone in on particular tactics. Recently, I came across one article that spoke my language, so to speak. Author Stacey Politi does an excellent job highlighting key LinkedIn strategies in her recent post on Mashable.com, titled “6 Ways to Attract Recruiters to Your LinkedIn Profile,” providing practical ways to spruce up your profile.

1. Focus on Keywords. Just like your resume, you will want to be certain to tailor your LinkedIn profile to a position and/or field of interest. This will allow you to capitalize on LinkedIn’s search functionality based on the words you include within your profile.
2. Include a Photo. You have heard it before, but some job seekers just aren’t getting it. You must include a photo, and it must only contain your beautiful face in the shot. Do not include your dog or your pet turtle Sampson, no matter how cute they are. You do not want to miss out on an opportunity because you decided to include a picture of you and your spouse as your profile picture.
3. Customize your URL. This will allow recruiters to locate your profile when searching in Google.
4. Accrue recommendations. It is important for you to utilize your connections to obtain deserving recommendations. Be strategic in your approach, and utilize those connections that know you well. I would not suggest reaching out to a connection that you barely know for a recommendation.
5. Connect, Connect, Connect. The author provides great advice regarding this step. She encourages users to avoid being aggressive during their first request with new connections since it can be a turn off. Building relationships in person takes time to evolve, so it is no surprise that online connections are a process, as well.
6. Be Active. It’s great if you build your connections, but what are you offering them? Take the time to share useful content or comment on others’ content. These actions might help you coin the title of “Top influencer!”

While following each of these suggestions – separately – will help to put you on the right path, incorporating them all into how you approach LinkedIn(ing) will likely yield more positive results. You can always start with one and then add the others when you are ready. Are you ready for the challenge?