Four years ago I published a post that became very popular – 29 Biggest LinkedIn Mistakes – in which I described some of the worst things executives in job search do, or neglect to do, on LinkedIn.
Some of the 29 mistakes I described no longer apply because the features were eliminated or LinkedIn functionality changed.
In revisiting that post, I’ve compiled what I consider to be the 5 worst mistakes I see my clients and others still make all too often, with links to posts containing further information:
Deadly LinkedIn Mistake #1: Anemic, Incomplete Profile
3 reasons a minimal LinkedIn profile can actually hurt your executive job search:
- Lacks personal branding and chemistry
- Marks you as out of date with social media
- Decreases your “findability” online
Deadly LinkedIn Mistake #2: Neglecting SEO and Keywords
Executive recruiters and hiring decision makers at the companies where you want to work search LinkedIn for viable candidates using relevant keywords.
The more of the right keywords your profile contains, the more likely your profile will rank higher with LinkedIn’s search engine, which boosts the likelihood you’ll be found and considered by these key people.
Deadly LinkedIn Mistake #3: Generic, Short Summary Section
Use as much of the space allowed (2,000 characters and spaces) to increase your LinkedIn search ranking, and to generate chemistry and differentiate your unique ROI for your target employers.
Deadly LinkedIn Mistake #4: No Professional Photo
Most executive recruiters and hiring decision makers at the companies you’re targeting will see your LinkedIn profile before they see anything else about you. Put yourself in the shoes of these people assessing your candidacy through your LinkedIn profile.
The first thing they’ll notice when they land on your profile is your photo . . . or lack of one. If you have NO photo, their initial thought will likely be “What is this person trying to hide?”
Deadly LinkedIn Mistake #5: Forgetting LinkedIn Groups
Beyond helping you stay top-of-mind, LinkedIn Groups help you:
- Position yourself as a thought leader and subject matter expert in your field.
- Learn from other experts in your field.
- Bring new people into your network, to open yourself to more opportunities.
- Find the right people to connect with to advance your job search and career.
- Connect directly with people who are not first degree connections.
More Information About LinkedIn and Executive Job Search
10 Steps to Executive Job Search Success
5 Reasons Your LinkedIn Profile Isn’t Working
How to Build Personal Brand Content for Executive Job Search
