LinkedIn is the go-to platform for anyone serious about advancing their career, expanding their professional network, or landing their next big role. With millions of users vying for attention, having a standout profile isn’t just an advantage; it’s essential. Here, recruitment expert Edward James from RCQ Associates gives his expert insight into creating a stand out profile that works with the LinkedIn algorithms to ensure you get found by the right people.

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Today I’m going to be talking about crafting a standout LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is an invaluable tool for career advancement, networking, and job searching, and with the right strategy, you can ensure your profile gets noticed by the right people.

The first tip is to use keywords and phrases

The foundation of a powerful LinkedIn profile is the strategic use of keywords and phrases relevant to your field. For credit analysts, these might include terms like “credit analysis”, “credit risk assessment,” “financial analysis,” “financial modeling,” and “risk management.” Incorporate these phrases in your skills section, about section, and within the descriptions of your job roles. This will help you appear in search results when recruiters are looking for candidates with your expertise.

Think about someone trying to find you who doesn’t know you, and them searching for you in the same way they would look for something via a search engine – the more hits, the more likely you are to come up higher on a search and be found.

2.  Crafting a compelling ‘About’ section

Your “about” section should be a concise summary of your professional background and career aspirations. Aim for two to three sentences that highlight your key skills and experiences. If you are actively seeking new opportunities, mention the type of roles you are looking for and your current situation. This not only provides clarity but also makes your profile more searchable.

3. Leverage the ‘Job’ section

LinkedIn’s job section is a powerful tool to signal your availability to recruiters. Ensure you tick the box that shows you are open to job opportunities. This feature is accessible only to professional recruiters, helping you appear higher in their search results.

A quick win is to list all the key locations you are open to working in, in this section, as this broadens the scope of potential job matches.

4.  Highlight your relevant experience

Keep your profile up-to-date by adding all relevant work experiences and removing any that are not pertinent to your career in financial services. This ensures that your profile is focused and relevant, which is crucial for appearing in search results tailored to your experience level and career interests.

For example, include detailed descriptions of your roles in credit risk assessment and financial analysis while omitting unrelated part-time jobs from university.

5.  Building a strong network

A well-connected network is essential for visibility on LinkedIn. Connect with colleagues, ex-colleagues, and industry contacts relevant to credit and financial services. The more targeted and relevant your network, the higher you will rank in LinkedIn’s search algorithms and so be more likely to be found by recruiters and other relevant professionals.

6. Optimise your job titles

If you are open to various roles, highlight the key titles of positions you are looking for. LinkedIn allows you to add multiple preset job titles, which can improve your visibility in searches. Play around with different titles to see which ones increase your profile views.

Don’t just use corporate titles such as Analyst, Associate, Vice President and so on – they are fine, but also add a descriptive phrase so someone looking at it can understand a little better what you may be focused on.

7. Continuously improve your profile

Regularly update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your latest achievements and experiences. This not only keeps your profile fresh but also signals to LinkedIn’s algorithms that you are an active user, which can boost your visibility.

I hope that by following these guidelines, you can craft a LinkedIn profile that stands out to recruiters and industry professionals, thereby ensuring that you are found by the right people for the right opportunities. Remember, the key is to be strategic about the content you include and to continuously engage with your network and profile.

Thanks for watching.

And good luck with your professional development.