July 24, 2020
With 93% of recruiters tapping into LinkedIn to find qualified job candidates, it’s essential for anyone searching for a new position to have a complete and compelling LinkedIn profile.
“First impressions do matter, and LinkedIn is a great way to tell your story,” said Ann Marie Beebout, lead social media coach at ProResource, who led a special BizAv Back to Work edition of NBAA News Hour.
The July 23 webinar featured suggestions on improving one’s profile and how to effectively use LinkedIn for job searches, with Beebout providing live LinkedIn profile reviews for three volunteers in the business aviation industry as examples.
Five high-impact changes that any LinkedIn user – whether job seeking or not – should make, according to Beebout, include:
- Updating your profile picture
- Creating a header graphic
- Having a complete profile
- Adding keywords to your headline
- Filling your contact section, including a phone number
Keywords also are important because employers use them to search, noted Beebout.
“Always think about keywords,” she said. “Include all those that are pertinent.” She also suggested looking at the profiles of individuals who have the kind of job you want to get ideas, as well as completely filling out all the sections on LinkedIn, including the new “featured” section near the top of the profile.
“Be engaged, stay active on LinkedIn,” said Beebout, noting that people can post links to videos, documents, relevant articles and much more. She recommended spending at least 15 minutes a week updating your profile and posting information, without flooding LinkedIn with content. “The depth of the content is more important than the quantity,” she said. Commenting on posts also helps keep you top of mind to others in your network.
It’s important to have multiple points of intersection with people and to continually grow your network, according to Beebout, who encouraged webinar attendees to ask for endorsements and recommendations, both which will help during the job search process.
Job seekers shouldn’t hesitate to use the new #OPENTOWORK hashtag, which puts a banner on a profile and can be included in a profile picture. “It’s important to let people know that you are looking for a new opportunity,” noted Beebout.
Putting a judicious amount of personal information on your profile is also a good idea, according to Beebout – as in favorite hobbies, alumni affiliations or volunteer work.
The NBAA News Hour was the latest in a series of webinars, articles and other tools in BizAv Back to Work, the association’s targeted effort to help members and the overall business aviation industry reopen and get back in the air after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.