How to make your LinkedIn profile shine

When you’re looking to kick off a career or find employment in your chosen sector, a strong online presence can go a long way. It’s not uncommon for employers to look for new candidates or research prospective employees on the internet. This means if you apply for a job you can expect that your LinkedIn profile might be observed, or you might even receive job offers unexpectedly online too.

The key online place you need to be putting your best professional foot forward is on LinkedIn — the world’s largest professional network and a popular place to connect, engage, and showcase your skills to potential employers, clients, and colleagues. Let’s look at a few of the ways you can enhance your LinkedIn profile and best reflect your accomplishments and experience.

Understanding LinkedIn

More than just an online resume, LinkedIn is a dynamic platform for building your professional brand, networking, and staying updated with industry trends.

If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile yet, head over to LinkedIn.com to get started. Once you create an account it will guide you through connecting with colleagues and peers and help you to join relevant industry groups to expand your network.

Choosing a professional photo

Your profile picture is the first impression you make on potential connections, so choose a clear, professional, and friendly photo.

A headshot that is well-lit with a clear background and a genuine smile can go a long way in making your profile approachable. It doesn’t have to be taken by a photographer either — today’s smart phones can certainly capture an image that is up to standard.

Crafting a compelling career bio

Under your name, photo and position on your LinkedIn profile is your career bio. Also known as the summary, this is your opportunity to introduce yourself in your own words.

Use this section to showcase your skills, experiences, and aspirations. Mention your area of expertise, career highlights, and the value you bring to employers. Be sure to include keywords relevant to your industry to improve your profile’s searchability.

Making your experience stand out

Rather than just listing your skills and workplaces, go a little deeper to demonstrate your talents. Detail your work experiences, focus on what you accomplished and the impact you made in the workplace.

Bullet points can be used to highlight your responsibilities, your achievements and the roles you took on during your time. If you’re new to the sector, remember every bit of experience counts, so add in placements too.

Showcase your education

When you’ve studied with a quality registered training provider, adding your qualifications and where you undertook them can enhance your employment prospects.

As a leading vocational education provider, Selmar is excited to announce that our graduates can now add Selmar to their LinkedIn profiles by tagging us as their place of education! Simply tag Selmar in the ‘Education’ section and ensure you select the correct official page to link to. This simple action validates your qualifications and aligns you with the high quality training of the provider.

Take advantage of a Seek profile

In addition to LinkedIn, many professionals use online job search website, Seek. Your Seek profile should mirror what you cover in your LinkedIn profile to ensure consistency for those browsing your career history, education and experience.

Leverage the online world to find your dream career

Digital networking and job hunting happen predominantly online these days, making a robust LinkedIn profile an invaluable asset. Use these tips to create a professional online presence that shows just how incredible you are to a prospective employer!

As a vocational education provider dedicated to equipping graduates with the skills needed to excel in their careers, the Selmar team is excited to support you on your journey to professional success. Study with us and we will lead you to success!