The Forgotten LinkedIn Profile

by Brian Skory

There’s a growing trend for recruiters and hiring managers to utilize LinkedIn when searching for prospective employees. If you are engaged in a job search, there are two questions you have to ask yourself. (1) Are they going to find you on LinkedIn? (2) And if they do, what are they going to find?

1. When someone does a keyword search on LinkedIn (for example, “Java developers Michigan”) individuals with 100% completed LinkedIn profiles will be shown first. Depending on how many profiles were returned, yours may not even get viewed if it’s not included in the “100% completed” batch. Be sure to spend a few minutes each day completing your profile to maximize your chances of getting noticed.

2. On more than one occasion, I’ve gone out to LinkedIn to check out a candidate’s profile only to find what looks like a deserted ghost town. The beginnings of a profile are evident, but the project was obviously abandoned shortly after it was begun. Is that going to be a deal breaker in my mind? No, but I will say that a robust and well-kept LinkedIn profile page certainly conveys a much different and more positive impression than one which is not. The first demonstrates enthusiasm, professionalism, and attention to detail—and the second…well…doesn’t. Speaking of a well-kept profile page, you don’t have to go out and buy professional head-shots, but find a friend with a camera, a well-lit area, and take a decent photo. It does make a difference.

Here’s a bonus tip: join LinkedIn groups. There are dozens of LinkedIn groups for every aspect of your job (Java, Cloud Computing, Business Analysis, etc.). Join several of these, particularly the ones that are linked to your geographical area. Each of these groups has a “jobs” tab, and lots and lots of jobs get posted there because it’s free for employers. (Job boards such as Monster can be quite expensive.) Don’t forget about your local area user groups; they are usually on LinkedIn as well. With LinkedIn groups, you will not only have access to great conversations on topics that are near and dear to your heart but you’ll get to see who’s hiring in your area.

As always, we at Stout Systems are interested in hearing how your job search is going. Feel free to drop us an e-mail at [email protected].

Brian Skory is Stout’s Technical Talent Manager. Brian began his technical career 20 years ago. Key to Brian’s success throughout his career has been his consistent ability to find and hire the best talent.