According to reported LinkedIn statistics* for 2021, there are over 57 million companies listed, more than 15 million job openings advertised, and over 40 million people using this social media platform as part of a job search strategy. Over 85% of recruiters used LinkedIn as part of the hiring process, last year alone. With these staggering figures, it is critical for LinkedIn users to create profiles that include content that results in increased employer attention and more interview calls. With so much riding on your LinkedIn profiles, there are 3 common mistakes to avoid:
1.) Pasting directly from your resume to your LinkedIn profile. Many candidates copy their resume content into the About and Experience sections of their LinkedIn profile, but this is a terrible mistake. A resume is a snapshot of your qualifications, skills, experience, and education, serving as a marketing tool that, if written correctly, will persuade hiring managers to want to learn more about you. This could lead them to visit your LinkedIn profile where they should find unique details and accomplishments that add to the picture of value that you are trying to paint. Developing a consistent branding message does not mean that you should duplicate exact content, but rather present additional information that lends credibility to your claim of being the best candidate for the job.
2.) Failing to reveal your personality. Although LinkedIn is a social media platform used by professional people to promote themselves as job applicants or service providers, there is nothing wrong with coloring your profile with personality. Include anecdotal information that reveals your core values, examples of how you overcame specific challenges within current or previous job roles, as well as details on interests, hobbies, and charity work. Hiring managers are not only looking to fill a job opening, but they are trying to find the best match for their organization, company culture, and team. By balancing your profile in this way, you provide insight that can help an employer see you as the right fit, not only for the role but for those with whom you may be working and who may share similar interests. This increases your chances of being contacted for an interview.
3.) Not engaging with others. Another way a hiring manager can learn about you is by viewing the activity within your profile feed. A candidate that has little or no posts, followers, or interaction with others, can come across as being aloof, disengaged, and uninterested in those around them. However, by taking the time to reach out to others by reacting to the comments of others, posting articles related to your field, and growing your network, those looking to hire you can learn more about what you care about. Again, this is another layer of information that can entice an employer to reach out to discuss a job that you may be interested in.
Creating a powerful resume, an engaging LinkedIn profile, and an impactful cover letter is not easy, but SuperNova Resumes is a 5-star Google-reviewed resume writing service that does just that for its clients. You can have a 30-minute resume review and consultation that includes feedback on your LinkedIn profile. This professional assistance can help take the guesswork out of this social media platform that seems to only be growing in popularity.
*Statistics based on article post from Omnicore.
Nova Yeoman-Forrestall - Writer, Consultant & Mentor specializing in Career Development and Job Search Readiness. HRM Certified professional who has helped 100s advance toward the achievement of their goals while working for a division of Manpower Group, Monster.com, and as the CEO & Owner of SuperNova Resumes.
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