Five ways to optimise your LinkedIn and get noticed for the right reasons.

I can’t stress enough how valuable LinkedIn is for navigating your UK job search and advancing your career in the current climate. It has a global reach, offers many features for free, and uniquely brings together employers, recruiters and candidates all in the same space.

Signing up and having a profile isn’t enough though, it’s what you do with it that will see you get results. Like with most things, you get out what you put in. So whether you are using Linkedin to find a job, internship or placement, there are steps you need to take to achieve this goal. LinkedIn is where I get most if not all of my paying clients. However, it’s more often than not, those who have followed me for a while and have seen how visible and have seen the content I put out.  It has taken me years of me being consistent with posting statuses, publishing articles, and  finding ways to convey my message to my target audience to get to where I am now.  It has paid off though (literally) and I share the tactics and strategies which worked for me with my clients and it works for them too. It is a proven approach, and it isn’t a difficult one either. It takes time, patience and perseverance.

Kiara, who is based in Colombia and a previous client of mine is in the process of applying for jobs in the UK and she has worked hard on growing her LinkedIn network and increasing her online presence, which has resulted in her recently being headhunted by a UK employer for a job. How did she do this? She says,

“I built my LinkedIn profile based not just on my experience but what companies were looking for. I asked for professional help from Bianca to build my CV and had a LinkedIn audit that helped me enhance my chances of being noticed. LinkedIn is all about networking and connections is key to getting noticed.  I had to put myself out there and engage with people in my industry. It is important to check for connections through posts from others where I was able to write about myself and what I was looking for and this gave me a lot more connections and ultimately, job opportunities.”

Kiara has taken on the linkedIn challenge head on and with a fantastic attitude and it’s worked for her. So why can’t Kiara’s story be your story? Well, it could be if you follow these top 5 tips for how to optimise your LinkedIn. Be sure to experience the results within a couple of weeks.  

1.   Make your profile All Star

• Make sure all sections of your profile are completed, up to date and that your name  (capitalised please) is the same as on your CV and ID documents. Have a professional looking photo, where your face is visible and you are smiling. Upload a background photo too- something which represents you as a professional or the industry you are looking to get in to.
• In the ‘about me’ section, don’t only mention what you have done but also what you want to do and can do. Your LinkedIn is the catalyst between your past and future career so it is vital to get the balance right and that it is clear to onlookers what direction you want to take your career in.  Don’t be vague.  Your title is very important  for this as it determines what searches you will (or will not) get picked up in. For example, if you are an MBA student working in Tesco’s part time as a customer service advisor, put MBA as your title, not Tescos. This way, you will get noticed by recruiters and employers searching for candidates with an MBA
• Be specific and go niche with your ‘open to opportunities’ list of job titles, otherwise it is confusing for onlookers who see that you are open to opportunities in digital marketing and healthcare. Whoops!
• Be consistent with how you outline and format your experience section. Use quantifiable and impactful bullet points to evidence your skills, competencies and experience. Don’t forget to include volunteering experiences too and make sure you proofread so there aren’t any spelling or grammatical errors.

2.   Follow hashtags

• The value of hashtags is something I discovered myself and I can’t recommend them enough as a way to increase your exposure and reach a wider network and gain followers. It is so simple yet so effective. For example, if you are looking for data analyst roles, follow every hashtag related to this job title (especially ones with a large number of followers and use the relevant hashtags in your posts so you show up in the right places (and at the right time).

3.   Etiquette (and netiquette)

• If you are going to connect with someone, ALWAYS add a note, so that when they accept, your note pings up in their inbox automatically
• Be mindful with your communication style when approaching UK employers and recruiters. You want to make sure that it is appropriate to the UK context and you give a good impression. Read my article on Job search etiquette for more advice on this
• Remember that people can view ALL your activity. So if you are saying you want a job in the UK but also US, Canada , this gives the impression you aren’t genuine about moving to the UK and also that you are not sure of what you want- which is a major turn off for employers and recruiters. 

4.   Be consistent

• You have the option to build momentum and grow your network. Even when you think nobody is watching – especially when you think nobody is watching, you have to keep going- persevere. It may take days, weeks, months, or even years, but it will pay off.  Small things everyday do make a difference. 

5.   Engage!

• It can be challenging, especially for certain personality types to put themselves out there and express themselves on linkedIn. You can find your own way of doing this. Most important thing is to not be an observer. You have a voice- it’s up to you what you want to use it for.

Who is your audience?

What is your message? 

What do you want to get out of LinkedIn?

Another previous client of mine, Sarah, currently an international Law student shares her thoughts and experiences of LinkedIn:

"LinkedIn is an excellent source to search for places of employment and to expand your network. The more active you are on LinkedIn the more exposed you will be to different opportunities. Your network expands and you establish and maintain connections with people in your field. As an international student, utilising LinkedIn has helped me to make connections in the U.K. and I am able to see the different job and placement opportunities that are posted as well as connect with people to further my UK career. LinkedIn gives you a personal but professional online presence."

I couldn’t say it better myself. The job market has never been so competitive, for international job seekers and those requiring sponsorship in the UK so what are you waiting for? The time is now! Every little helps. Start optimising now!

Thanks for reading

Ciao for now

Bianca.