by The ResumeSpice Team | Aug 19, 2019 | LinkedIn Tips
Set up your LinkedIn profile a few years ago and haven’t given it a second glance since? You’re certainly not alone. However, if it’s been months or even years since you last laid eyes on your profile, it could have a negative impact on your job search.
Even if you don’t have a lot of time, investing just a little effort can go a long way in sprucing it up, so it has more appeal among hiring managers and recruiters. And our LinkedIn profile writing experts can help. Here’s how: (more…)
by ResumeSpice Team | May 27, 2019 | LinkedIn Tips
Want to find a new job faster? It goes beyond simply creating a powerful resume. You also have to make sure you’re highly visible on social media sites like LinkedIn. To do that, you need to include impactful keywords on your profiles. (more…)
by ResumeSpice Team | Mar 11, 2019 | LinkedIn Tips
As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” When a recruiter or hiring manager visits your profile page, the first thing they’ll see is your image. If yours isn’t professional or up to par, it’s going to impact the impression you’re making. For instance, if it’s too dark or low resolution, hiring managers may wonder about your attention to detail. (more…)
by ResumeSpice Team | Jan 17, 2019 | LinkedIn Tips
Most people understand the importance of creating a strong resume reflects their professional strengths. However, many overlook their LinkedIn profile. This is a huge mistake when you consider that about 95 percent of recruiters utilize LinkedIn as a major sourcing tool to find candidates. In today’s digitally savvy world, LinkedIn is just as crucial as your resume. Here are some tips to help you create a LinkedIn profile that gets you noticed: (more…)
by ResumeSpice Team | Jan 3, 2019 | LinkedIn Tips
When it comes to your LinkedIn profile, there are many moving parts to keep track of and update. One of the most important involves your skills. You want to list the right ones. Yet, it’s hard to know which will help you stand out to hiring managers and recruiters looking at hundreds of other candidates. (more…)
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 | 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 | 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.
