by ResumeSpice Team | Jul 25, 2018 | LinkedIn Tips
In today’s world, you need a LinkedIn profile to get hired. Some parts of it, like Education and Experience, are straightforward. Others, though, especially the Summary section, are a bit more challenging to get right. What do you include? How long should it be? And how can you stand out in a sea of other candidates online on LinkedIn?
That’s where ResumeSpice comes in. As professional LinkedIn profile writers, we have the tips and advice you need on nailing your Summary:
Tip #1: Focus on the lede.
This is the first sentence in your Summary and is critically important. It’s going to dictate whether or not a recruiter or hiring manager moves on to the next sentence or simply moves on to another candidate. The most effective way to write yours is like you’re telling a story.
Tip #2: Get personal.
Many candidates believe their Summary should read just like their resume. But this is actually the place to show some personality. That doesn’t mean talking about controversial topics. It does, however, mean being authentic and sharing what, for instance, you love about your industry; talking about how you got your foot in the door or discussing the accomplishment that means the most to you and why.
Tip #3: Talk about your value.
At the end of the day, employers want to know what’s in it for them if they hire you. That’s why it’s important to discuss the problems you’ve solved, the areas where you’re an expert, and the level of experience you have. Offering details on these will give companies more insight into whether you’re a good match for their needs and where you could potentially fit within their organization.
Tip #4: Keep it clear and concise.
Your summary shouldn’t be more than a few paragraphs. To get there it might take many rounds of revisions. However, the end product should clearly demonstrate your enthusiasm, the value you offer, your personality, and why hiring managers and recruiters should consider you.
Tip #5: Ask for help from a friend.
It’s tough to be objective when you’re writing about yourself. It’s therefore always a good idea to ask a friend or colleague to review your Summary and provide you with feedback on improving it.
Interested in getting professional help with your LinkedIn profile?
Call ResumeSpice at 832.930.7378. Our LinkedIn profile writers can work with you to build a powerful profile that gets noticed by recruiters and hiring managers, all so you can find the new job you want faster.
by ResumeSpice Team | May 20, 2018 | LinkedIn Tips
In today’s job market, you still need a traditional resume and cover letter. What’s changed over the past several years is the need for a robust Linked profile. We recently outlined why you need a LinkedIn profile. But if you don’t have the time or know-how to put together a profile, where do you begin? A professional LinkedIn profile service can help. Here’s what you
Your profile is complete.
One of the most common mistakes job seekers make – and one of the biggest turn offs for recruiters – is a profile that isn’t completed. You’re busy, so it’s easy to understand how this might not top your to-do list. However, an incomplete profile can reduce the likelihood that you’re found online by recruiters. A professional LinkedIn profile service will not only know how to compose an effective profile, they will also be able to guide you with inside tips. For example, having a picture makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed – and for maximum impact, your face should take up about 60-70% of the picture area.
Your work history sells your background.
Many job candidates also make the mistake of simply listing their past job titles and duties. But recruiters want to know more about you, specifically when it comes to your past track record of achievements. A professional LinkedIn profile service writer can consult with you to learn about your background, then craft a strong “Experience” section that gets you noticed by recruiters.
Your headline and summary are well-written.
It can be tough to write the perfect headline and summary. That’s where professional LinkedIn services can help. Writers through such a service can offer insight on what’s going to best promote your background and help you get found by recruiters in your industry. You can, therefore, make the most of this space and use it to your advantage in your job search.
The proper keywords are included throughout.
Once a professional LinkedIn profile writer understands your background and knows the kinds of jobs you’re looking for, they can recommend keywords to include in your profile. This will better optimize your profile and ensure that it comes up in searches by recruiters looking for candidates like you.
Your resume and profile match up.
A big red flag for recruiters is when your resume says one thing and your profile says another. But when you partner with a professional LinkedIn service, you can ensure that both complement and enhance each other and that there aren’t any discrepancies that could raise a red flag.
You avoid industry jargon.
Recruiters don’t like to see a lot of hype and fluff on LinkedIn profiles. Instead, they want clear, concise and compelling information about candidates they’re interested in. If that’s a struggle for you to provide, a professional LinkedIn service can certainly help you.
Interested in putting a professional LinkedIn profile service to work for you?
Contact ResumeSpice at 832.930.7378. We know what employers look for on LinkedIn profiles and can help you craft a powerful one that produces better results in your job search and career.
by ResumeSpice Team | May 15, 2018 | Job Search Tips, LinkedIn Tips
Wondering whether LinkedIn is a must-have essential, or simply a waste of time? Consider this statistic: According to a recent Jobvite survey, 93 percent of hiring managers search LinkedIn for potential hires. That means if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, you could potentially be missing out on some lucrative opportunities.
And the advantages don’t stop there. In fact, as a professional LinkedIn profile writing service, ResumeSpice believes LinkedIn offers other valuable benefits – whether or not you’re actively searching for a new job. Some of these include:
A professional image
If you want to put your best foot forward in your career, you need a LinkedIn profile. Peers, recruiters, hiring managers and others expect you to have one. When you do, you’ll not only come across as more professional, but you can also showcase your background, share updates, contribute to conversations, and highlight your career contributions.
Credibility
Whether you want to get promoted in your existing company, or are interested in a different job, you have to show your worth. LinkedIn enables you to do that in a variety of ways. For instance, you can blog about hot industry topics and post articles demonstrating your expertise. You can also reach out and request recommendations from past managers, colleagues, fellow volunteers and others in your network. You’ll be able to build your credibility and show a more in-depth side of yourself than you can with a traditional resume.
Networking
Networking is an important part of advancing your career. And LinkedIn makes it easy. Not only can you find and reach out to current and past colleagues, former classmates, and other connections, but it also offers you a simple way to manage all these contacts. Plus, you can stay on top of details, like work anniversaries and when your connections are promoted, which provides you with another opportunity to stay in touch with them.
Resources
Beyond posting a profile, searching for jobs, and networking, there are also a variety of other helpful informational resources you can leverage. For example, if you want to keep on top of industry updates, or need expert advice on a workplace challenge, there are a plethora of groups and forums to join to get the advice and insight you need.
Having a LinkedIn profile can certainly help your career and your job search. Not having one, on the other hand, can actually hurt you. So it simply makes sense, especially when you consider how easy it is to create one. Once you do, you’ll a have a professional profile that gives recruiters and hiring managers an at-a-glance look at your background, expertise and what makes you unique.
Want expert help building a polished LinkedIn profile?
Contact the LinkedIn profile writers at ResumeSpice. If you don’t have the time or expertise to build your own profile, we can handle the job for you. You’ll get a powerful tool in your career arsenal that can help you achieve your goals. Call 832.930.7378 today to learn more.
by ResumeSpice Team | Apr 28, 2018 | LinkedIn Tips
In today’s world, you need more than just a strong resume. You also need a clear and compelling LinkedIn profile if you want to stand out in a sea of other candidates – and get noticed by potential employers. So how can you go about polishing yours? With these 5 easy LinkedIn fixes:
Use a professional photo.
Posting a professional photo is one of the best ways to fix your LinkedIn profile. In fact, according to LinkedIn, profiles that have a picture get clicked on 14 more times than those without. While you don’t necessarily have to invest in a professional photographer, it is important that you do post a photo that paints you in a positive light. Dress professionally and smile – it will make you look more approachable.
Include relevant and updated information about your job history.
This is the part of your profile that will likely get the most attention from potential employers. So make sure you invest the time to write about your background and experience in a way that positions you as an expert, and also persuades hiring managers and recruiters to want to contact you. Just as on your resume, you should focus on accomplishments rather than simply listing out job duties.
Ask for recommendations.
Wondering how to fix your LinkedIn profile? Another key way is through recommendations. These can help to build your credibility online, and hiring managers and recruiters will be more likely to take notice of you, as a result.
When you do ask for recommendations, be sure to encourage your network to focus on a specific skill or trait that you have, rather than writing something generic. It’s also best to reach out to those in your network individually with a personalized message, rather than blasting out a general request.
Sprinkle in keywords.
Want to get found by recruiters and employers looking for people like you? Then it’s important to incorporate relevant keywords into your profile. For instance, if you’re looking for a job as a graphic designer, then make sure words and phrases such as “graphic designer” and “graphic design” are sprinkled throughout your profile. These keywords should be utilized in your headline and summary, as well as in the experience and skills section. Don’t overdo it though; just a few mentions on your profile will work.
Make sure your profile and resume are consistent.
You’ve updated your profile with these easy LinkedIn tweaks. But is it consistent with your resume? If it’s not, then it’s going to be a red flag for potential employers. While they don’t have to be exactly the same, the two should align well and complement each other.
Know you need a better LinkedIn profile, but don’t have the time or expertise to create one?
Leave it to the experts at ResumeSpice. We know all the best ways to fix your LinkedIn profile so you get noticed by today’s top employers. Get started or learn more today by calling 832.930.7378.
by ResumeSpice Team | Aug 11, 2016 | LinkedIn Tips
In today’s business world, most people are active on or have heard of LinkedIn. Unfortunately, not everyone has heard that there are some faux pas on LinkedIn that could hurt their reputation.
Since one of our core services is writing great LinkedIn profiles for professionals, ResumeSpice put together this list of blunders to avoid.
Not using a professional photo
You don’t need to spend hundreds on a professional headshot. But your family’s vacation photo isn’t appropriate either. Choose a photo of just you and be sure to wear professional attire.
Using overly quirky job titles or descriptions
You can let your personality shine through on LinkedIn (to an extent), but you’ll still need to keep it professional. After all, you want people to take you seriously. Don’t call yourself a “Recruiting Superhero” or a “Marketing Alchemist.”
Misrepresenting your experience
Putting information that simply isn’t true can seriously hurt your credibility in a job search. And even if you’re not looking for a new position outside your company, keep in mind that the information you include in your profile can be seen by your boss and co-workers. Keep your profile honest.
Not personalizing your connection requests
If you want to connect with someone, personalize a message and remind them of how you know each other. You’ll make a better impression and increase your odds of a successful connection.
Asking for recommendations or referrals from people you don’t know well
It’s not a good idea to ask your 2nd and 3rd degree connections to refer you for a job opening or write a recommendation. Asking for a recommendation is equivalent to saying that they have direct experience with you and can vouch for your abilities.
Do you need help sharpening your LinkedIn profile so you get noticed by hiring managers or recruiters? ResumeSpice can help. As one of the leading professional services agencies, we can assist you with writing a great LinkedIn profile, resume, cover letter, or help you with interview prep. Call us today: 832.930.7378
by ResumeSpice Team | May 15, 2016 | LinkedIn Tips
As one of Houston’s leading providers of resume and career services, including cover letter and LinkedIn profile help, we see common mistakes people make when building their LinkedIn profiles.
And if you’re currently in the market for a new job, you might unknowingly remove yourself from consideration based on what recruiters are finding on your LinkedIn profile. You don’t have to worry because the team at Resume Spice has your back.
Mistake 1: Your profile picture is not professional or you don’t have one.
Not only does a profile picture add credibility to your profile, you’re also more likely to be viewed by potential employers if you have a photo.
We all want to be taken seriously as professionals, so save the bathroom selfies for Facebook. In the same spirit, you shouldn’t use photos from your wedding, cropped group photos, or photos where your face is obscured.
How to fix it: Make sure you have a high resolution photo where your face takes up at least 60% of the frame. The background of your photo should be simple, and you should be looking directly in to the camera. Make sure you’re wearing what you would wear to work in your photo. And just like that, you have a professional LinkedIn photo.
Remember that you don’t need to spend a ton of money on professional photos. Most smart phones have great cameras that include high resolution options.
Mistake 2: Writing your professional history like it’s a resume.
The employer already has your resume and understands your basic skill sets. Don’t just copy and paste your resume into your LinkedIn profile.
How to fix it: The beauty of LinkedIn is that it gives you an opportunity to not only showcase your skillsets and experience, but you have the freedom to expand upon anything you want. This will give a sense of who you are as a professional and as a person.
Mistake 3: Discrepancies
Recruiters turn to LinkedIn not only to get a well-rounded sense of who you are, they’re also looking for any indications that you’ve been dishonest on your application or in your resume.
While your LinkedIn should definitely not be a mirror image of your resume, it should at least include the same general information: dates of employment, job titles, and skillsets.
How to fix it: Do a quick audit of your LinkedIn profile as compared to your resume. Make sure dates, job titles, basic duties, and skills match what you’ve claimed on your resume.
Mistake 4: Overly quirky headlines and/or job titles
In general, your headline is meant to tell what you do, but it doesn’t have to just be your job title. This is beneficial for a few reasons. Your headline is kind of like your personal brand and functions just like a headline in the news – it’s meant to grab attention, tell people what you’re about, and spark interest in the subject – you.
But the downside is that writing an effective headline isn’t as easy as it seems.
You don’t want to be too general. Listing yourself as “Team Lead” is far too general but calling yourself a “Marketing Alchemist or Superhero or Guru” is a little to quirky and probably a stretch, depending on where you work or the types of employers you want to attract.
How to fix it: Take some time to write out what you do in a sentence or two and keep trimming that down until you get to the heart of the message you want to convey.
Bringing it all together
Just like most things you do in the professional world, you want to strike a balance between exhibiting professionalism, while also conveying what makes your skills and background unique. LinkedIn allows you to do that. By following LinkedIn’s best practices, you can sharpen your profile and increase the chances you’ll be found or considered further by your next employer.
If you would like personalized LinkedIn help and/or more information on all the career services we provide, contact Resume Spice today.
