LinkedIn: The key to career progression in 2020 and beyond
2020 feels like the year when everything stopped. We’re working from home and we don’t have the chance to network face to face. But this doesn’t mean it’s impossible to land the job you want.
Life hasn’t actually stopped; it’s just moved online. And as the world’s largest business network, LinkedIn is where you can find the people you need to progress your career – if you know how to use it properly.
Here’s why you need LinkedIn now more than ever, and how knowing how to craft a winning profile can secure you the future you’ve always dreamed of.
LinkedIn lets you design your future
Do you feel as if you’re stuck in a career rut? Have you been doing the same type of job for years, never really feeling as if you’re doing what you actually want to do?
Many people simply rely on their resumes when it comes to jobseeking. But your resume is just a summary of everything you’ve already done. It’s unsurprising that you keep landing the same types of job roles, never really moving towards the job you really want.
LinkedIn is more powerful than a resume because it gives you the chance to influence how you are actually perceived by others. It provides a space for you to talk about who you really are, your aspirations and motivations, as well as your previous work achievements. This creates a bigger picture that gives you a better chance of securing the job you actually want – rather than endless carbon copies of jobs you’ve already done.
LinkedIn is the new watercooler
COVID-19 has changed our working lives beyond all recognition. Previously, a lot of our networking was done at work – conversations by the watercooler, chance meetings in the lobby, and so on.
All of this is now online. The people you need to reach are out there on LinkedIn – you just have to craft a standout profile and use the right keywords so they can find you.
And if you’re wondering what’s the point in a depressed global economy, you might be interested to know that three people get hired every minute of every day through LinkedIn. Jobs are still there. People still need your skills. You just need to know how to communicate those skills to the people you need.
How to craft a winning LinkedIn profile
1. Headline
Your professional headline is the only part of your profile that’s visible in search results aside from your name and profile picture. You have 220 characters here, so you need to make them count. Your headline needs to grab people’s interest, describe who you are and the problems you can solve for the reader. You can also use icons here if you want to make your headline stand out more visually.
In addition, think about keywords. Which words are employers in your field likely to search for?
2. About section
Your About section needs to be focused on your end goal. What do you want people to take away from your profile about you? What jobs are you trying to attract? Let these things inform your content.
You should write your About section in the first person. People will be more drawn to you if you’re authentic and friendly.
Also remember that only the first 330 characters are visible on desktops. You need to use these characters to encourage the reader to click “see more.” Use a question or an intriguing statement, something that ignites the reader’s curiosity.
3. Experience section
This shouldn’t be a copy-and-paste from your resume. You need to make statements that are focused on your actions and the difference you deliver. Your Experience section should give recruiters reasons to want to hire you.
More LinkedIn help and advice
Of course, there’s a lot more to LinkedIn than simply crafting a profile. If you would like more help and advice, look me up here on LinkedIn. I share tips two or three times a week in the newsfeed.
Or, if you’re in Australia or a similar time zone, we can arrange a consultation.
The right job is achievable, and with LinkedIn, you can secure it.
the author: Karen Tisdell, Linkedin profile writer & designer
An early-adopter of LinkedIn, Karen Tisdell recognised the platform’s potential when working as a recruiter. Foreseeing the importance of how professionals are perceived online, Karen began her LinkedIn profile writing business. A decade on, she has written thousands of profiles for C-level executives and is ranked as one of the top 10 independent LinkedIn trainers across Asia Pacific.
