Job Hunting? 7 Ways to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

You just logged into LinkedIn for the first time in....well, years. It looks different! You need to polish it up since you are one of the millions on the job hunt.

I have helped all sorts of professionals from local artists and nonprofit professionals to recent grad students. Now, I'm going to share with you the 7 most common ways I have helped all of them to optimize their profiles.

Update your images

That grainy head shot from 2009 isn't cutting it. When you interview, you also want to still look like your picture! Keep it simple, professional, and accurate.

Your cover photo is PRIME real estate. Use it wisely! Show your work, design something different, format it like a business card, the possibilities are endless!

Customize your Headline

There are tons of ways to do this to position yourself well in your specific industry. Check out some expert methodologies, look at how the person doing your dream job formats their headline, and remember: your Headline is your key to popping up in a search on Linkedin. How are you going to show up in a Linkedin search for a coder without "Coding Expert" or "Coding Extraordinaire" in your Headline?

Tell the world you are looking for opportunities

What a powerful tool! Let recruiters (and even your entire network) know that you're open to opportunities and what you are looking for specifically. No one can help you if they don't know you need help.

Use keywords in your About section

Take a look at some job descriptions. Find 5 dream jobs and compile them into one document. Start highlighting the words that these jobs have in common, whether it be responsibilities, the software you need to know, or ideal personality traits. Next: make sure these words are in your About section.

Shine in the Featured section

Demonstrate your thought leadership, a cool presentation you've put together, and stand out from the crowd. Again, PRIME real estate to show what you've got.

Clean up your Experience section

• Use bullet points.

• Keep it clear, relevant, and consistent.

• If it is in the past, make it past tense.

Update your Skills & Endorsements

Add your skills that are relevant to those dream job posts you looked at earlier. The next time someone in your network visits your profile, they can endorse you for that specific skill! Congrats, you've done half the work for them.

Ask for Recommendations

It doesn't hurt to ask. If your network is asking how they can help you in your job search, ask them to write you a LinkedIn Recommendation!

Recruiters won't have any questions about how you actually are in the workplace because all of the amazing recommendations you're about to get will spell it out for them. Plus, if you ever struggle with the question, "What do your colleagues think about you?" or "How do your coworkers describe me?"

Still feel awkward asking? Write them a recommendation first! It's even easier to return a favor.