An online presence is vital for today’s job seekers, with LinkedIn being the most popular platform. LinkedIn is not only a place for you to find former connections and make new connections, it’s also a place for people to find you – including hiring managers and recruiters. Often, even if a recruiter or human resources professional has your CV / résumé in hand, they will still have a look at your LinkedIn profile to learn more about you. However, creating a LinkedIn profile may present unique challenges for those in transition. Leveraging LinkedIn profile tips will help you stand out.
Read more to discover our top 5 tips for creating a stand-out LinkedIn profile during a relocation.
1. The Photo: This is the most prominent item on your profile page and research proves profiles with a photo are viewed more often. Post a professional looking headshot where you look friendly and approachable. Keep in mind that your audience will likely wonder if they would like to get to know you and potentially work with you based on what they see.
2. The Headline: This spot should answer the question, “What can you do for me?” There are thousands of people who do the same thing you do and a formal job title does not begin to tell your whole story. Determine what makes you memorable from all the other people in your profession. Then separate yourself from the crowd with a good personal branding statement in your headline. Include the fact that you are “seeking a job in (name of country)” to let others know you are a job seeker. It is okay to include the country information before your actual move.
3. The Summary: This is the place where so many people forget to be thorough. Use the summary to tell your story and show your enthusiasm for what you do. Also, state your employment status in your new country, letting employers know that you have the necessary work visa to be employed in their country. If you have worked in a country other than your own before, highlight that experience as well.
4. The Recommendations: Do not overlook the power of recommendations! Recommendations related to your experience add significant impact to your profile and credibility to your story. You want to have a good mixture of recommendations from customers, colleagues, managers, and people you have worked with in various positions, especially those who have international experience or have worked with you before in a country other than your home country.
5. The LinkedIn Public Profile: Setting your LinkedIn profile as public means it will appear when people search for you on the Internet. Publicise your profile with a customised URL by incorporating your name rather than the long string of numbers that LinkedIn automatically assigns you. Then you may use the customised URL on your business card, email signature, and CV / résumé.
