22 MAY 2023

7 steps to an all-star LinkedIn profile 🌟

Want to attract the right attention and discover great job opportunities in Further Education? Maximising your online presence is crucial, and the best platform to do so is LinkedIn. By optimising your LinkedIn profile, you can increase your search appearances, connection requests, and catch the eye of Colleges hiring. Follow these concise steps to create a standout LinkedIn profile:

Achieve All-Star status with a complete profile:

LinkedIn considers profiles that are 100% complete as All-Star profiles, which are 40 times more likely to be found in searches. Spend some time tidying up your profile and ensure it's complete. It will benefit you in the long run.

 

Add a professional profile picture:

Adding a profile picture gives a big boost to the credibility of your profile, as people are more likely to accept connections when they can see who you are. The goal is a headshot where you appear approachable and authentic - body language is key! Group photos or couple photos are best avoided.

 

Craft your Experience section:

Transfer your career history from your CV, but make sure to tailor it to complement and support your CV without duplicating it. Focus on concise and specific descriptions of your roles, achievements, and relevant industry keywords.

 

Highlight your skills:

Add at least 5 skills to your profile, but you can include up to 50. These skills will help you rank better in LinkedIn's algorithm and provide a quick overview of your strengths.

 

Write a compelling About section:

Use this section to introduce yourself, showcase your personality, and highlight your professional journey. Make it conversational and include industry and job-related keywords.

 

Update your Industry and Location:

Specify your industry and location to enhance your profile's visibility.

 

Include your Education:

List your qualifications to connect with fellow alumni and increase your discoverability.

 

Expand Your Network:

To achieve All-Star status, aim for at least 50 connections. Start by exploring the "People You May Know" feature on LinkedIn. Additionally, connect with recruiters who specialise in your field and reach out to them about your career aspirations.

 

Additional Tips for a Powerful Profile:

Craft an attention-grabbing headline

Rewrite or optimise the automatically generated headline by using relevant keywords and phrases that represent your unique value. You have 120 characters to make an impact.

 

Utilise the Features section

This newer LinkedIn feature allows you to showcase samples of your work, such as websites, videos, documents, articles, or LinkedIn posts. Leverage this space to add visual elements that highlight your skills and accomplishments.

 

Lastly, Stay Active on LinkedIn!

Consistently engage on LinkedIn to increase your visibility. Like, comment, and share content to stay top of mind and win the favour of the LinkedIn algorithm. An outdated profile can be a turn-off, so make sure to keep your profile up to date.

 

Optimising your LinkedIn profile with these steps will help you stand out in the Further Education job market, attract the right opportunities, and connect with relevant professionals in your industry.

 

P.S. Don't forget to follow the onlyFE LinkedIn page for the latest updates and job opportunities in the Further Education sector.