To help you focus on optimizing your search-ability in the online marketplace, consider opening your mind to the notion that as a job seeker, you are a product that is 'for sale'. The following Top 5 LinkedIn Tips will help you enhance your online career identity:
1. Answer the “WIIFM” question. The person reading your profile will want to know “What’s in it for me?” Use your headline to clearly show how your expertise benefits the employer.
2. Incorporate the job title you are hoping to get hired for next. Determine what you want to be found for, and emphasize those terms. Your headline should be future-focused, which will allow you to move toward your career goal.
3. If you are looking while unemployed, touch on that lightly in your headline. (But, only if you want to!) If you’re not comfortable with that, don’t. Don’t make that you are currently a job seeker the sole focus of your headline or waste too many precious characters on it. Touch on it, then move on to emphasizing brand elements or keywords that will help you to be found.
4. Include different words that mean the same thing. The same job can have a different title at different companies and recruiters may search for either.
5. Don’t waste space with overused buzzwords. Before you include a word in your headline, ask yourself whether it will hold meaning for the reader. Starting with skills and qualification related terms is a good place to start. Steer clear of personal attributes such as 'innovative' or 'determined'. Skills and qualifications will get you the job, personal attributes will help you excel at the job once you are in.
