Written by Andie Dumond, Recruiter
Ever wondered what recruiters are searching for on LinkedIn and how to make sure your profile gets noticed? Whether you’re actively searching for your next role or more passively open to exploring opportunities, being identified as a potential match for roles by a recruiter can open a new avenue to your search. We’re sharing a peek behind the curtain so you can increase the chances of your LinkedIn profile popping up in a recruiter’s sourcing project:
1. First and foremost: complete your profile!
A clear, professional Profile Photo along with a completed Heading and About section can go a long way in making your profile stand out in a sea of professionals. In addition, we also recommend adding bullet points to capture your main responsibilities and accomplishments under each of your Experiences. Any relevant certifications or continued education is also recommended as some opportunities may require specific certifications that a recruiter can filter for in their search.
2. Include relevant key words in your profile
One of the best tools recruiters have to customize their search is key words. To determine what may be applicable for you, compile a handful of job descriptions for positions you would be interested in and make a list of key words from the main responsibilities and requirements. If these words aren’t already listed in your profile – add them! Great spots to include these would be in your Skills section or in your About/Experience sections.
3. Build your connections
The more connections you have, the more likely your profile is to show up in a recruiter’s search (and the more likely it is to show up at the top of that search!). There’s no replacement for networking and building your professional connections, both IRL and on LinkedIn. Make it a habit to send connection requests to folks you’ve engaged with professionally, and/or reach out to new individuals who you are interested in networking with on the platform.
4. Optional: Add ‘Open to Work’ and include relevant details
If you feel comfortable adding it to your profile, the ‘Open to Work’ feature is a great way to let recruiters know you are interested and engaged in finding a new opportunity. You can also include details on preferences such as location, type of role, titles, etc that are relevant to you. Recruiters can filter their search by ‘Open to Work’, and this is a great way to make sure you are included in that candidate pool!