LinkedIn can be a great tool for business networking—and even for getting hired and finding job leads. Unfortunately, as with all social networks, it can be easy to get lost in a sea of connections; that can make it hard for anyone who doesn't know your name to find your page or profile or to know what skills you possess and what area you work in. That is where keyword optimizing your LinkedIn profile comes into play. By using the right words and phrases, you make it easier for your name to come up in searches for people seeking your specific skills, qualifications, or position. Here are three quick tips for keyword optimizing your LinkedIn Profile:
1. Find The Right Keywords First
Use online tools, such as Google's keyword search tools, to help you find the keywords most often searched for your desired job. The right keywords are going to equal more profile views, increasing your chances of being found by someone who thinks you are just right for a position with their company. Don't guess at what keywords might be well suited to the position—take the time to do your homework.
2. Use Your Keywords Without Stuffing Them
While it can be tempting to use every keyword provided by Google in order to make sure that your profile comes up in search, this is a very unwise plan. Stuff too many keywords into your profile and it is going to be practically unreadable.
Remember that it will be
hiring managers, not computers and search engines, reading your profile; and write it in a way that conveys your brand and who you are as an employee. Use keywords wherever they are appropriate, but make sure they fit. When we create profiles for our clients we focus on 2-3 of the most targeted keywords specific to our client's
job search goals and we optimize their profile with those keywords.
3. Where To Use Keywords
While knowing how to use keywords is important, you also need to know
where to use them. Your LinkedIn profile has many different sections, all of which can lend themselves well to keyword optimization. Put your most important keywords in your headline, using them to create a description of yourself. You can work many keywords into your summary as well, though you want to be sure that you are creating a coherent description and not just stuffing relevant words.
Keywords can certainly be placed in both past and current
work experience, as well as both skills and interests. One of the most important places to include keywords is in your employment job titles. This section weighs heavily in LinkedIn's search result rankings. By making sure you are using the right words in the right places, you can make sure you don't get lost in the crowd.
Want advice on writing
your resume? Check out this article on using metrics in your resume when you don't have any or connect with me on Twitter here
@GreatResume.Related Posts
How To Keyword Optimize Your LinkedIn ProfileQ&A Quick Tip: Include Keywords In Your LinkedIn HeadlineOptimizing Your Resume With Keywords
