In today’s digital age, LinkedIn has become an invaluable tool for networking and job searching. With over 740 million members worldwide, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform. As more and more hiring managers and recruiters turn to LinkedIn to vet candidates, job seekers wonder – just how much does your LinkedIn profile matter to employers?
The Rising Importance of LinkedIn for Hiring
According to a 2020 survey by CareerBuilder, 70% of employers use LinkedIn to screen candidates during the hiring process. This represents a significant increase from just 11% in 2017. Clearly, LinkedIn profiles are playing a bigger role in hiring decisions today.
So what exactly are employers looking for when they review your LinkedIn profile? Here are some of the key things recruiters consider:
- Profile completeness – Recruiters want to see a detailed, fleshed out profile.
- Number of connections – More connections can signify a strong professional network.
- Shared connections – Mutual connections are a form of social proof.
- Recommendations and endorsements – These help validate skills and experience.
- Engagement – Are you actively engaging on LinkedIn via posts, comments, shares?
- Consistency – Does your LinkedIn align with your resume?
Essentially, recruiters are looking for signals that you are who you say you are – a competent, experienced professional with strong credentials and connections in your field.
LinkedIn Profile Optimization Tips
Now that you know LinkedIn profiles are important to employers, how can you optimize your own profile? Here are some key LinkedIn profile tips:
Use a professional photo
Choose a high-quality, smiling headshot to humanize yourself. Don’t use casual selfies or group photos.
Craft an engaging headline
Summarize your professional identity in your headline, like “Data Scientist | Machine Learning Expert | Stanford M.S. Computer Science”.
Showcase your experience
Detail your work history and highlight key skills, achievements, and responsibilities under each role.
Provide your education
List your degrees, certifications, and coursework. Include your GPA if it was high.
Share your skills
Add 5-10 specific skills to represent your core competencies and expertise.
Customize your LinkedIn URL
Claim a unique URL like LinkedIn.com/in/YourName to be more searchable.
Write an informative summary
Use your summary section strategically to highlight your qualifications in your own voice.
Boost connections
Grow your network by connecting with colleagues, classmates, and professionals in your industries of interest.
Join relevant groups
Become an active member in industry groups and local alumni associations.
Gather recommendations
Request meaningful recommendations from managers, professors, or collaborators who can endorse your skills.
Follow influencers and companies
Stay up-to-date on your field by following thought leaders, organizations, and hashtags you care about.
Should You Pay for LinkedIn Premium?
LinkedIn offers several premium subscription packages that provide additional features, including:
- Seeing who viewed your profile
- Contacting recruiters directly
- Removing LinkedIn ads
- Expanded profile statistics
- Unlimited profile highlight views
Here is an overview of the pricing options:
| Package | Price (per month) |
|---|---|
| Premium Career | $29.99 |
| Premium Business | $47.99 |
| Premium Sales | $64.99 |
| Premium Hiring | $99.95 |
Are these premium features worth paying for? Here are some pros and cons:
Pros:
- Can help you stand out in competitive fields
- Expanded search filters to find top talent
- Ability to contact more recruiters
- Valuable user data and insights
Cons:
- Free account has robust core features
- Many benefits also available via Sales Navigator
- Premium costs add up yearly
- Exclusive features may provide marginal benefits
Ultimately, LinkedIn Premium may provide more advantages if you are an active recruiter or salesperson leveraging LinkedIn to source leads. For most job seekers, the free account should provide sufficient tools to build a strong profile.
Common LinkedIn Profile Mistakes to Avoid
Just having a profile isn’t enough – you need to make sure you avoid common pitfalls that could turn off recruiters. Here are some key LinkedIn mistakes to avoid:
An incomplete profile
Profiles with sparse details and blank sections come across as lazy or disengaged. Devote time to build 100% profile completion.
Typos and grammatical errors
Careless mistakes in your profile can undermine your professionalism and attention to detail.
Too much text
Avoid rambling narratives and dense blocks of texts. Use clean formatting, bullets, and white space.
Self-promotional tone
Don’t make exaggerated claims about yourself. Focus on facts and third-party validation.
Stale, outdated information
Remember to update your profile as you gain new skills, jobs, education, and accomplishments.
Politics, opinions, or controversy
It’s best to keep your personal views off your profile to maintain professionalism.
Forgetting keywords
Include key industry terms and jargon that would come up in target job descriptions.
Boring default headline
Change your headline from just your job title to be unique and engaging.
Irrelevant connections
Prioritize connecting with those in your field vs. random acquaintances.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn has become a “go to” platform for recruiters and hiring managers evaluating candidates. While it’s possible to land a job without a strong LinkedIn presence, having an optimized profile can significantly improve your odds of surfacing relevant opportunities and getting noticed by the right people.
Invest time in your LinkedIn presence by following profile best practices, avoiding common mistakes, and keeping information updated. Treat your LinkedIn as an integral component of your professional brand and online identity throughout your career – not just a digital resume you dust off during job searches. The networking relationships and employer connections you build on LinkedIn can yield long-term dividends.
