Tags: jobs | networking | resources

Today, social media are becoming a primary means of communication and, more importantly, providing the forum for contacts and resources during life’s transitions.  Each of the social media appear to have its purpose and demographics, with Facebook, for example, being a social site, Flickr a photo posting medium, and Twitter, an instant chat messaging of sorts.  Whether to socialize, reacquaint with old schoolmates or find a job, social media is a powerful tool.

A well structured and presented LinkedIn profile is the key to this social medium, and it should be a reflection of your resume.  On average, an employment recruiter may spend 10 – 15 seconds on a LinkedIn profile focusing on two key recruitment questions:  Does this candidate have the right skills for the job and will this candidate fit into the organization?  Given this, your LinkedIn profile should be geared to efficiently display your skills and, through your recommendations, provide a sense of organizational compatibility.

With this in mind there are a few key tips to an effective LinkedIn profile:

• Title
  • Invest the time to clearly define what you do.  This is the first line that a viewer will see, and your title is the first opportunity to define who you are and your area of expertise.
• Professional summary
  • This section should outline 3 – 4 major professional points, clearly and concisely articulating how you might enhance a program or company.  Place yourself in the reader’s shoes and ask, “How would our organization benefit by hiring this candidate?” or “What does this candidate bring that adds value to our organization?”
• Specialties
  • Take advantage of this section to specifically itemize areas of expertise.  For example, a scientist may list particular analytical techniques, while a marketing professional might share the ability to create a strategic marketing plan and brand platform.
• Recommendations
  • Ideally, 5 -10 recommendations offer a good cross section of your abilities and talents.  Each recommendation should preferably speak to a different facet of your abilities.  For example, one recommendation might emphasize your professional technical expertise, while another focuses on your exemplary ability to communicate and interact.  With each recommendation broadening your skills and talents, a clearer professional picture will emerge of who you are.

In summary, effectively marketing yourself on a social medium like LinkedIn is mandatory in order to compete in today’s environment.  Your profile is the face to the outside world and a complete profile includes listing your:

• Current position
• Previous two positions
• Education
• Profile summary
• Profile photo
• Specialties
• At least three recommendations

Consider your LinkedIn profile an extension of your résumé – an internet-based document that is dynamic and continually evolving.  Take the opportunity to browse other LinkedIn profiles; no doubt you will see formats that might apply to yours as well as others that might not.  In the end, investing in an accurate, concise and well-formatted LinkedIn profile is a sound first step in enhancing your connections, visibility and potential for opportunities.