Introduction

LinkedIn has become a tool that many job seekers use to find and apply for jobs. This is not surprising, as the platform makes it easy to connect with people who work in your industry or have similar interests. The way LinkedIn works, however, can lead to some misconceptions about how best to use the site while looking for a job. Here are some tips and tricks on how you can make the most out of your profile (and therefore maximize your chances of finding a new position).

Get a high-quality headshot.

You've heard it before: your first impression is made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. So, if your LinkedIn profile picture looks like you were snapped by your nephew with his phone and posted on Facebook, you're going to lose out on opportunities.

Get a high-quality headshot taken by a professional photographer that makes you look good--but not too good! You want to appear approachable and friendly, not intimidating or fake.

Make your profile public.

LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network, with over 350 million members in over 200 countries and territories. It's a great place to build your professional network and find new career opportunities.

LinkedIn has two types of profiles: public and private. A public profile makes it easier for people to find you through searches or recommendations from others in your industry. If you're looking for work, I recommend making your profile public so that hiring managers can see what skills and experience you bring to the table--and why they should hire YOU!

Write a standout summary.

LinkedIn is a social network, so it's important to write a summary that reflects your personality. Your summary should be short, punchy and relevant to the job you are applying for. Don't use templates or copy what someone else has written; instead, write something unique that tells the reader why they should hire you over other candidates.

Your LinkedIn profile summary should include keywords from the job description so that recruiters can easily find it when they search on LinkedIn by keyword(s). It also helps if these keywords appear in some form throughout your profile (e.g., "I love working with teams" rather than just "Team player"). Try not to make claims about yourself unless they are backed up by evidence such as testimonials from former employers or references who can speak about specific skillsets relevant to this role (or even better - those who have worked directly with them).

It's important not only what information goes into writing an effective job search summary but also how this information is presented:

Include action verbs at least once per paragraph - these help convey enthusiasm and excitement about potential opportunities while simultaneously highlighting key achievements related to past positions held.
Make sure there's plenty of white space between paragraphs so readers aren't distracted by blocks of text.

Take care of your headline.

A well-crafted headline is the first thing people see when they come to your profile, so it's important that you put some thought into this section. Your headline should be short and concise, but also show off the professional side of yourself. Avoid anything too long or too short--either can make it seem like you don't know what kind of information should go in this field (or worse: like you're trying too hard).

You should also keep in mind how many characters are allowed for each word in order not to go over the limit!

Ask for recommendations and endorsements.

Another way you can build your network is by asking for recommendations and endorsements. You can do this in either your profile or by sending a message to someone asking them if they would consider writing you a recommendation. You don't have to be connected with someone before asking them for this kind of favor, but it's best if you know them well enough that they will remember who you are when they see your request come across their screen. Recommendations are an important part of getting hired at most companies today, so don't forget about this step!

Network with Your Connections.

LinkedIn is a great tool for networking. The best way to use it is by connecting with people you know and then reaching out to others who are connected to those people. For example, if someone has two connections in common with you (like a friend or family member), they will show up as someone who is "one degree" away from your connection(s).

LinkedIn's search function allows you to find professionals in your field of interest by name or job title--and even more specifically than that! You can also use LinkedIn's advanced search tool if there are any keywords associated with the type of work that interests you most. This will help narrow down results so that only those relevant professionals show up on your list when conducting an initial search on LinkedIn's home page (as opposed to everyone who works at an organization).

Join LinkedIn Groups.

LinkedIn has a number of different groups that you can join. If your industry or profession is relevant to a group, then I highly recommend joining it. For example, if you are looking for a job in marketing and communications and live in Atlanta, Georgia then joining the "Atlanta Marketing & Communications Professionals" group would be a great idea! This will allow you to interact with other professionals who may be able to help with your job search as well as get advice from them on how they found their current position (or even just general networking tips).

Conclusion

I hope you found this article helpful. It is well know that networking is a powerful skill, and I want you to be able to use it in any situation. Whether your job search has taken weeks or months, LinkedIn can be a great resource for connecting with people who can help get you closer to finding work again. The next time you're looking for a new position or thinking about starting an entrepreneurial venture, don't forget: there are millions of professionals out there just waiting for your message!