Improve your LinkedIn profile before looking for a job

When it comes to job hunting, there are a lot of tick boxes that need to be checking in order for you as a candidate to stand out from the sea of sameness. Over and above a great CV and first impressions that have to be on point, investing in improving your LinkedIn profile will add massive value. If you think about it, you are a brand in a sense and what you put out on social networking platforms makes all the difference. It’s not just about having a presence and having a profile up for the sake of having one, it is how you sell yourself and what you portray on the world wide web. Here’s how you can improve your profile:

• Make sure you select the right profile picture. See this as your calling card on LinkedIn. Employers are visual and first impressions aren’t only in person. Make sure that your profile picture is recent and that you actually look like yourself. Your face needs to make up at least 60% of the allowed space – don’t be shy about a close-up, long-distance shots will not cut it. Dress to impress, meaning wear what you would generally wear to work and make sure your eyes are alive with a smile.

• Your headline is about so much more than just a job title. Use the headline field to say more about you – how you see your role, why you love what you do and what gets you up in the morning. Your profile is a sales pitch and just a job title is not going to give you the edge that employers are looking for.|

• Become a storyteller in your own right. Your summary needs to be a story. Bring your skills to life and tell your audience why they matter. This is a standout feature that potential employers will look for and to see how your skills make a difference in your current role and the people you work with. Take time writing this, it is your own personal advertisement and is absolutely worth the effort.

• Don’t be a buzzword writer. Let’s be honest, every second profile these days has words like ‘specialised, ‘leadership’, ‘focused’, ‘strategic’, ‘experienced’, ‘passionate’, ‘expert’, ‘creative’, etc. There is no rule that says you can’t use these words, but they have been so overused that they mean basically nothing. Find new and creative words to describe yourself and your skillset. Don’t be a follower, be a leader, but most importantly, be yourself! Just articulate yourself as best as possible.

• Expand your network. One of the easiest and most relevant ways to grow your LinkedIn network is to sync your profile with your email contacts. This enables LinkedIn to suggest people you could connect with and you can also look for individuals in the same field as you, or the desired field you wish to pursue. We have all heard the saying: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Nothing has ever rung more true. Your connections and network needs to be top of your priority list and it can never be stagnant. Grow that network!

• Don’t be a lurker. Lurkers are people who only consume information on social media and never engage with the authors of the content. Become part of the conversation. When a principal or other teacher posts, write a comment and start a conversation about the content of their post. You can even mention examples of how the content is relevant to your classroom experience.

These are just a few tips that can guide you in the right direction to being noticed. Making your profile work harder for you doesn’t have to take years of your life. Quick wins are the ones you need to focus on and if you get into the swing of things you will quickly see how easy it is to make progress. Instead of wasting a lunch hour or evenings scrolling through social media, use some time to improve that profile! 2023 is your year to find that ultimate dream job! If you’d like us to assist you with improving your LinkedIn profile (and your chances of employment), have a look at our range of services: https://goteach.co.za/cv-services/