Champlain College Online (CCO) hosted a workshop on Wednesday, November 29, called "Fast Start Formula: Review Your LinkedIn Profile." The host offered essential insights to students on how to get their LinkedIn profiles noticed by recruiters.
In CCO’s workshop, Fast Start Formula: Review Your LinkedIn Profile, executive career coach Jen Morris shared best practices for crafting an impactful LinkedIn profile that will help you stand out. During the online session, Morris reviewed individual CCO student LinkedIn profiles and provided tailored feedback and recommendations. Here are some highlights that you can apply to your own LinkedIn profile.
Lead With Your Target Job Title
Morris recommends leading your LinkedIn profile headline with your target job title. She stresses including a specific job title, rather than more general terms, so that recruiters can easily find your profile when searching for candidates for that role. Using the target job title at the beginning of your headline helps both human readers and search engines immediately understand what type of position you are pursuing.
Share Your Value Proposition
Morris advises writing your profile from the perspective of what value you can provide to the employer, using language like "I can help..." or describing how you will specifically help the company. Rather than just describing yourself, the value proposition should clearly communicate the solution or benefit you offer to the reader in terms that are important to them as a potential hiring manager. Facing ageism while your job search? Here are three ways to combat it.
Use Keywords
Morris advises using the about section of your LinkedIn profile to incorporate additional keywords beyond just your work experience. For career changers or those pursuing roles they haven't directly held before, she suggests talking about the change you're looking to make in the about section and mentioning your future targeted job titles and skills. This gives you another opportunity within your profile to include those important keywords and match recruiter searches, even if you don't have direct experience in those areas yet from your work history.
Overall, Morris recommends regularly auditing your profile to ensure it still matches your current qualifications as your career evolves. By following these LinkedIn profile best practices, you too can significantly boost your online impact and get discovered by more recruiters through targeted searching. When you get invited to interviews, don't forget to ask these three questions.
Interested in learning more practical tips about how to supercharge your career search? Read our career ebook, Landing a Job You Love.
About the Author
Gary Washburn
Executive Director, Student Advising & RetentionGary leads the student advising team at Champlain College Online (CCO). He has worked in higher education for over twenty years, gaining experience in enrollment management, business development, and academic affairs. Gary is always looking for ways to enhance the student experience at CCO and loves to hear success stories from students and alumni.
