Revealed! 7 Things Recruiters Look For In A LinkedIn Profile

Recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates to fill positions that they have. This means that if you are looking for a job, having a LinkedIn profile is a must.
However, just having one won’t guarantee that you will get a job,  you have to have a good profile that entices employers.
“There are a few things we look at when it comes to someone’s LinkedIn profile that helps us decide if we should contact them or not” says Muthoni Ndegwa a recruitment manager.

What Are These Things That Recruiters Look For In A LinkedIn Profile?

1. A good Headline
The headline is very important because it shows recruiters exactly how you view yourself professionally.
Having your current title and industry is enough but you need to strive for unique because this is what a potential employer will be attracted to. So use your headline to distinguish yourself from all the other professionals in your industry.
2. Profile Photo
This is relative depending on what industry you are in. However the universal rule is that it should be a professional photo. By this I mean it should not be a poorly taken selfie or a photo with your friends out for a drink.
You should ensure your photo portrays that you are friendly and engaging-that means smile.
3. Your Summary
This is where most people make mistakes. The summary is where you talk about what you do, your career goals and what you bring to the table.
You should avoid using meaningless statements such as; “Motivated self-starter with a proven record of success” and instead try and be more specific.
It is important to remember that LinkedIn is a professional space and should be treated as such. This means that you should not include anything that is not relevant to your job search. Things like how many children you have should not be in your summary.
4. Accurate Position Titles
This is the most important piece of information when it comes to being found on LinkedIn, not only that but actually getting recruiters to look at your profile. Different organisations have different ways of referring to similar positions.
It is up to you to know what your job is called in the industry you are in and use this on LinkedIn regardless of what it is called in your organisation. Having a title that doesn’t reflect what you do will reduce your chances of your profile being found by recruiters.
5. Clear position Descriptions
So you have the position title but not including a description may take you out of the running if the employer can’t tell what it is you actually do. What are some of your duties in the position you hold. You don’t have to put every responsibility but you can highlight the key roles.
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6. Career History
This is an obvious one because a recruiter will want to see what else you have done and who you have worked for.
This is where you include your previous positions and highlight your major accomplishments for each position. Employers trust people who have a proven record of excelling at their job so having your accomplishments will boost your chances.
7. Skills List
The next thing any recruiter will look at on your LinkedIn profile is your skills set. Here they are trying to see if you have the skills required to perform at the job they are hiring for.
You should therefore ensure that you include all the skills you posses that you want a potential employer to know about.
You never know you might have a skill that sets you apart from other candidates which will definitely improve your chances of getting a job.
Obviously LinkedIn is an important part of job hunting and as such you should ensure that you avoid making any mistakes that could ruin your chances of getting a job through it. Stand out from the crowd by ensuring that LinkedIn works to help you land your dream job.
By Michelle Wanjiku