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Something that students don’t know is that recruiters searching for new talent via LinkedIn have an entirely different view of LinkedIn. In particular, recruiters can search for exactly what they want in a candidate and only bring up results of individuals that fit that criteria. Unsure of what this looks like? Check out this TikTok, which shows a firsthand look at a recruiter’s view on LinkedIn. Additionally, another awesome career TikToker posted this Youtube video on the top 3 tips to optimize your LinkedIn profile!
Even if you didn’t click the TikTok or Youtube video, keep on reading to see what this means for students searching for jobs… AKA you! A recruiter is able to search the LinkedIn platform based on the job title of the role he or she is trying to fill, the location where an individual is located, keywords that individuals put in their LinkedIn profiles, skills that individuals have identified themselves as having, and so much more. The reason that it’s so important to have a complete and full LinkedIn profile is that, by matching your experiences and achievements to your virtual profile, you’re much more likely to get selected for or reached out to about opportunities that might be extremely helpful for your career.
How can you use this information and improve your LinkedIn profile, ultimately optimizing it?
Here’s a few ideas:
- Frequently update your LinkedIn. As a student, your credentials and experience change every semester, so make sure your LinkedIn reflects your most up-to-date information.
- Utilize the many tools on LinkedIn, such as the Skill Assessments. For example, since a recruiter can type in “Excel” under the skills he or she wants a candidate to have, make sure to take the Microsoft Excel LinkedIn Skill Assessment or just put Microsoft Excel down as a skill.
- A great headline choice is “Aspiring [insert job title that you want in the future] at Bentley University,” because it can help you get on the radar of recruiters who are looking for accountants, marketing specialists, and financial analysts, among other roles!
- No matter what kind of certifications you have, as long as they are professionally appropriate, you should put them in your LinkedIn. Many recruiters search based off of certifications, so it’s good to make sure that you are optimizing your chances to get searched and found.
Post on LinkedIn! Using the platform on a regular basis is the best way to get connections, expand your network, and find new opportunities (or let new opportunities find you). Not sure when or why to post on LinkedIn? Check out this blog!
