Get Noticed on LinkedIn: Top 5 Tips for Catching a Recruiter's Attention

In the market for a new job? Mastering the art of "the search" can be tricky, but it's not as hard as you might think. In today's post-pandemic digital world, it's more important than ever to have a robust, up-to-date LinkedIn profile that draws attention and reflects who you are as an individual to get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers. After all, the most successful way to search for jobs on LinkedIn is by driving recruiters and hiring managers to you.

LinkedIn is one of the best professional networking tools that you can use to secure that next career move because it's free to use, It provides endless opportunities to customize your first impression, and it's a great way to connect to other professionals. However, just as there are millions of people to connect with on LinkedIn, there are just as many to compete against for attention.

Your first impression is critical when people visit your profile. Follow these steps that to make sure you're a top competitor in the LinkedIn space:

1. Pick the Perfect Photo Set

On LinkedIn, there are two types of photos that reside at the top of your page: your profile image and your header image.

Profile Photo

First, your profile photo should cover a few standard basics to be considered a professional photo:

• Ensure that your face is clearly shown and takes up about 70% of the frame
• Take the photo from the shoulders up
• Avoid wearing heavy, dark, or shimmery makeup (matte neutrals work best)
• Avoid harsh lighting that can wash you out or overexpose the image
• Stand against a clean background like a solid, light colored wall
• Make sure that you are the only one in the photo

This LinkedIn article lays out a great framework for taking the perfect photo.

After you've captured a few different options, get feedback from your friends, family, or colleagues to see if they think your photo meets a "professional standard." Getting feedback is a great way to make sure that you're not accidentally missing an important detail.

Cover Photo

Next item of business: the cover photo. This is the image that appears behind your profile image at the top of your page, which is the perfect opportunity to establish who you are and what your personal brand represents. It can be as creative or as simple as you'd like, as long as it meets professional standards of high-definition imagery and isn't too busy or distracting. Images that represent your profession, most recent school, or current company are all great options.

It is important to note that this image will show differently on mobile than it does on desktop. Therefore, be sure to use an image that has a good amount of white space (also known as negative space) to the left, so that the purpose of your image doesn't get cut off by your profile photo.

You can easily create something clean and professional with the right dimensions in Canva with a free account. If you've never used Canva before, you can follow this step-by-step tutorial from a certified Canva professional.

2. Create a Catchy Headline

Your headline should be as compelling the front page of the newspaper. Extra, extra read all about YOU.

Ever heard the saying, "dress for the job you want, not the job you have?" The same concept applies to your headline. If you're looking to advance in your career, make sure the headline on your profile matches the qualities of the type of job you are looking for, rather than the job you currently have. The more personality you add to it, the better chances you have of getting noticed.

My personal favorite comes from our own Lead Onboarding Coordinator, Alexis Lemay, where she writes "Lead Onboarding Coordinator | I believe in success through greater predictability, repeatability, visibility and credibility." This headline is creative, descriptive, and unique, even though she's not job searching.

3. Write a Professional Summary

The summary biography is prime real estate when it comes to your LinkedIn page. It is the "about" section right under your profile photo where you can add detail about your professional experience in under 2,000 characters.

Reading a bio should be a learning experience for anyone who comes across it. You are not bound to titles, start/end dates, or company names, so get creative and use this space to speak to your page viewer the same way you would if you were in an interview. Some of the most attention-grabbing bios have a conversational lead in or conversational tone throughout.

You want to highlight your accomplishments and skills, while creating a sense of character through your tone. This article pinpoints some of the best summaries on LinkedIn and explains why they are top tier.

Use keywords wisely within your summary. Recruiters often search through LinkedIn looking for specific terms that match the qualifications for the jobs they have available. Your summary bio is a great place to drop these keywords and phrases, along with a summary explanation about what makes you qualified for the type of work you're interested in.

4. Complete Skill Quizzes

LinkedIn Skill Quizzes are 15-20 minute skill assessments that are free to take and generated by LinkedIn Learning that measure your skill level in popular concepts and programs, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Suite. Passing an assessment is a great way to demonstrate your primary areas of knowledge and skill in a clear, concise, and searchable way because a badge will appear on your profile confirming your competency in a certain skillset. Recruiters will often use these qualifications to search for requirements that match their job listings.

On your profile, you will often be prompted to complete a LinkedIn Quiz related to the information and skillsets you've included in your profile. Most assessments are about 15 minutes long and will be curated specifically to what you areas of expertise are based on your profile. You can choose to take the quiz or dismiss the notification. If you are looking to take a specific type of quiz, you can view the full list of available assessments here.

If you think there is a chance you can pass a skill assessment, take it. The quizzes are timed and most take about 15 minutes. You cannot take a break or pause the quiz, so make sure to set yourself up in a space where you will be uninterrupted. Passing an assessment requires earning a score of 70% or higher. If you fail, you can remove that information from your profile and retake it after the 3 month waiting period.

When you successfully pass an assessment, your profile will automatically be updated with a badge that recruiters and other LinkedIn users can see. Make sure to add this qualification in plain text somewhere in your profile as well - it can be in the summary bio that we discussed above or within a job description where you used that skillset.

5. Engage With Your Connections

Just like with any social network, being actively involved in your community's activity is key to keeping your profile top of mind. However, it's not enough to just like and comment "Congrats!" on someone's promotion post. Your comments, shares, and posts should be thoughtful and intentional.

Sharing trending articles and videos that speak to your industry are great ways to garner the attention of your connections. If you connected with people that you know or have networked with personally, chances are they are also interested in the similar content to you. Status updates about personal experiences or words of advice typically encourage comments and likes from others. If you are feeling confident, you can also write an article about a topic that you are passionate about.

Above All Else - Stay Active

LinkedIn isn't a "set it and forget it" kind of platform. The most crucial element in getting yourself noticed by recruiters and hiring managers is to stay active. Use this as your starting toolkit for establishing a strong, memorable first impression, and keep improving every day. The more people you engage with and impress, the better your chances are of running into that incredible opportunity you've been looking for!