10 tips for using LinkedIn for job search

Look at LinkedIn as your display-window for future business contacts, recruiters and employers. If you are actively working on a good LinkedIn profile with a rich content, companies and recruiters will find you more easily.

1. Photo - show your professional side: Select a photo that shows your current look and keep it professional – no summer selfies with drinks in hand.
2. Use the headline to show what you do or want to do: Use the space under your name in order to clarify your role or situation. The most common way to use this space is to display current title, or briefly summarize what it means. You might be looking for a new job, or maybe you are in need of a specific contact? Take the opportunity to use the space to clarify what you want to do.
3. Summarize your professional background: The summary is not a space to write your full CV. Use the space to summarize your professional history. Keep it short and personal.
4. Show your experience: Briefly describe your previous work experience. You can do it in bullet points or write a shorter text. If the company you worked for has a LinkedIn page, this will show up automatically in a list below the field when you fill in the company name. Select the company from the list and the logo will be added automatically, this will make your profile appear more clear and understandable.
5. Dare to ask for recommendations: The credibility of your profile is strengthened when others confirm to your skills. Dare to ask for recommendations on LinkedIn from managers, colleagues and others you worked with. It’s like the saying, “give, and you’ll get in return”. You can also recommend someone and then ask about the possibility for a recommendation back.
6. Education - don't forget the courses and inhouse training: Schools might be the first thing you think of when you update your profile, but don't forget about other courses as well as evening classes and/or in-house training you have completed. Briefly summarize each training session you have been in.
7. Endorsement – attest and certified: By adding your skills, it will bring you closer to a more complete professional profile on LinkedIn. The skills can later be endorsed by your contacts and give you additional keywords that make your profile more searchable. Endorsing others also calls for greater chances to get some endorsements back.
8. Build your network: Import contacts from your email accounts or use the search field to find customers, colleagues and friends. Before a meeting or interview, you can prepare yourself by looking at the LinkedIn profile of the person who you are going to meet with. Perhaps you have gone to the same school or have a contact in common? Also, join groups to get in contact with people from the same industry as you. These groups are also visible on your profile and will show that you are interested and engaged in the industry.
9. Updates - show your expertise: Use” Updates" to share your knowledge to your network. Maybe you want to be known as an expert in your field? Share an interesting article from your field of work, a blog post or news about the company you are working at. Why not start discussions on other people's posts? This applies, of course, also to the groups you are in.
10. Make your profile more searchable: Use keywords in your texts. Find keywords that are specific to your background and profession. This applies throughout your entire profile from summary to experience and skills. A tip to find particular keywords that applies to you, is to look at some job ads to see how someone with a similar professional profile as yours would be described and use the same words on your LinkedIn profile.