TEN TIPS FOR STANDING OUT ON LINKEDIN

The social media platform for business, LinkedIn, is a vital tool for professionals, job seekers, and career changers. It’s ideal whether you are a student just getting started, a mid-career professional wishing to explore opportunities abroad, or a senior executive.

The platform offers a 24/7, 365 days a year, global presence, so you can get noticed. Develop your personal brand and use LinkedIn to make it visible. Making a strong impression is crucial, especially to catch the eye of recruiters and new connections.

Here are some approaches to help you stand out and maximise your LinkedIn presence:

1. Use a respectable email address

A quick word about email addresses. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression; your email address can be the first thing people notice. An email address that might have raised a smile amongst your peers as a teenager may sound immature and unprofessional in the job market. Humorous and outdated email addresses will likely give the wrong impression, so opt for a clear and professional email address that reflects your name.

Tip: Gmail and Outlook are widely viewed as acceptable and respectable email providers.

2. Don’t leave your profile half-done

Ensure all sections of your LinkedIn profile are fully complete. The platform is set up to take you through the process, step by step. Taking time to craft an engaging narrative can help you stand out and demonstrate the effort you are putting in. Always use a clear, professional photo as your profile picture.

Tip: Work relevant keywords into your narrative. Using appropriate words and phrases can highlight your knowledge of a particular sector.

3. A powerful headline

This is the most critical part of your LinkedIn presence. The 120-character headline is often the only thing users see when you engage with their post. Use it to highlight who you are, what you do and the impact you want to make. We can’t stress enough how perfecting this is key.

Tip: Many people use a vertical bar to divide their writing into sections | It signals the start of a new statement | See what we mean?

4. Don’t be shy

During the profile setting-up stage, you can select up to 50 skills. Your choices are one way that you will be matched with roles, and they boost the relevancy of the jobs and content you see on LinkedIn. For more credibility, ask connections to endorse your skills and leave you a recommendation. Never hide your light under a bushel!

Tip: We recommend selecting at least ten skills to help you appear in searches.

5. Make meaningful connections  

The platform’s roots lie in professional networks. Begin by connecting with people you know, from friends and family to colleagues and ex-tutors. The next step is to broaden your network by finding and connecting with people in industries and locations that interest you.

Tip: Include a personal note when you request to link in to stand out.

6. Leverage LinkedIn for self-development  

LinkedIn isn’t just about networking; it’s a powerful tool for career and self-development. Some ways to put LinkedIn to work for you include searching for contacts that align with your interests and skills, gathering industry insights or using it to find a mentor.

Tip: Many professionals are happy to offer guidance on working in a particular industry or role; don’t be scared to ask and show you are taking the initiative.

7. Signs of life

Creating a strong profile is just the first step. You need to be active on LinkedIn to make your profile ‘sticky’. Stay visible and in the minds of your network by regularly posting and engaging with others. No activity on your profile makes it look dormant.

Tip: If you are actively seeking a job or new clients, being active on LinkedIn should form part of your daily routine.

8. Looking for work

If you are a job-seeker, add the frame to your profile picture that shows you are ‘Open to Work.’ To do this, navigate to your profile, click ‘Open to’ and then select ‘Finding a new job’. You can share this status with all members, including recruiters and your current company, or only with recruiters. 

Tip: If you choose to share with all members, your profile picture will show a green #OpenToWork frame.

9. Create original content

The more ways you use LinkedIn, the more visible your profile will be. Creating original content can be a powerful way to highlight and discuss your thoughts, abilities, and challenges. Invite comments to show you are willing to learn from others, and it will provide an opportunity to engage in discussion.

Tip: Weigh the risk beforehand, but being controversial can help your post go viral. Whatever you choose to do, always be authentic and take care not to offend others.

10. Work the algorithm

Staying current is key if you want to stand out. The LinkedIn algorithm prioritises quality, relevance and authentic engagement. You need to do more than just like and share. Spark discussions and showcase your expertise. Alongside this, LinkedIn will monitor how long you spend on a post and keep an eye on the value of comments from your peers.

Tip: The LinkedIn algorithm will reward you for regularly updating your profile.

Professional window

LinkedIn is your professional window to the world. It gives you an opportunity to be seen worldwide every minute of every day of the year!

But it is also far more than that. LinkedIn’s power lies in its ability to build your personal profile, engage in meaningful discussions, make connections, and help drive your career forward. You could say LinkedIn is where opportunity meets the effort you put in.  

Craft a standout profile, build your network, and stay active. Do all of this to unlock doors to new possibilities.