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When you're looking for a senior role, there's a much smaller pool of opportunities to pick from and turnover can be slower at leadership level - only 11% of CEO positions open up each year.
Many companies use executive search firms for senior-level recruitment, entrusting headhunters to go out and curate a strong short-list of capable candidates.
From making sure you're using the right keywords to showcasing your unique perspective, optimising your LinkedIn profile is an essential step to making sure you're found by head hunters.
Research the dream job
Have a clear idea of the job title(s) you're looking for in your next role.
Read several job descriptions picking out common words and phrases, as well as noticing what type of skills and experiences they're asking for.
Make a list and have it to hand when you're ready to update your LinkedIn profile.
Complete Your Profile
Not all LinkedIn profiles look the same. That's because some people only choose to complete the mandatory profile sections.
LinkedIn profiles are divided into three content buckets:
Core: Education, position, skills
Recommended: featured, certifications, courses, recommendations
Additional: volunteering, awards, test scores, languages
Aim to complete at least the core and recommended sections. Highlight any board positions, advisory roles, or voluntary work that showcases your expertise and involvement in your industry.
Providing more information gives the algorithm more information and makes it more likely you'll show up when recruiters search LinkedIn.
Optimise Your Headline and Personal Tagline
Your headline and personal tagline are the first things recruiters see when they come across your profile. Use these sections to position yourself as the ideal candidate for your desired role.
Instead of simply stating your current job title, use keywords and phrases that align with the job you want. This will increase the chances of your profile appearing in relevant searches.
Look at others who are already in the type of role you want for inspiration.
Craft an Elevator Pitch in Your Summary
The summary section of your LinkedIn profile is an opportunity to showcase what's unique about your experience, skills, and perspective.
Craft a compelling elevator pitch that highlights your expertise, accomplishments, and the value you can bring to an organisation. Incorporate relevant keywords in this section to enhance your visibility in recruiter searches.
Optimise Your Public Profile and URLs
Customise your LinkedIn profile URL to include your full name. This will make it easier for recruiters to find you and remember your profile.
Here's how:
Click on the 'Me' icon in the top bar of your LinkedIn homepage.
Select 'Settings & Privacy.'
Under the 'Edit your public profile' section, click on the pencil icon next to your URL.
Enter your desired custom URL, preferably using your name.
Click 'Save' to finalise the changes.
Additionally, add links to other websites or social media profiles where you maintain a professional presence, such as your personal website, professional blog, or a recently published article in an industry title.
Incorporate Relevant Keywords to help headhunters find you
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) plays a crucial role in improving your visibility on LinkedIn. Identify relevant keywords related to your industry, skills, and experience, and strategically incorporate them throughout your profile.
This will increase the likelihood of your profile appearing in recruiter searches and enhance your online visibility.
Use the list of skills you picked out from the job description research to populate the skills section of your profile ready for colleagues to endorse you.
Stay Active and Engage with Your Network
Regularly update your LinkedIn status to showcase your professional achievements, industry insights, and networking activities. This demonstrates to recruiters that you are actively engaged on the platform and keeps your profile fresh.
Engage with your network by commenting on relevant posts and joining industry-related discussions to further expand your online visibility.
If you're finding it tough to post regularly, take advantage of the scheduling feature. Batch write your posts for the week or even the month and schedule them to post automatically from LinkedIn.
Expand Your Content
Make your LinkedIn profile content-rich to provide recruiters with a comprehensive understanding of your professional background.
Take advantage of the "Write article" feature to showcase your expertise and insights.
Unlike posts, articles have a much longer shelf life and will appear in the "Featured" section of your profile as well as your connections' and followers' feeds.
LinkedIn articles are also indexed by Google which means they show up in Google search results. Even if recruiters are browsing on Google rather than LinkedIn, your article can appear and help you get found.
Optimise Contact Settings
Ensure that your contact settings on LinkedIn are set to include career opportunities, consulting offers, new ventures, job inquiries, and reference requests.
Make your profile public and customise your public profile URL to include your name. This makes it easier for recruiters to contact you and increases the likelihood of appearing in relevant searches.
Make the most of the "open to" settings to highlight the job titles and type of work you're interested in. You can choose whether these preferences are visible to all LinkedIn members or just recruiters.
By implementing these strategies, you can maximise your online visibility on LinkedIn and attract the attention of headhunters and recruiters.
Craft a compelling profile, optimise your keywords, engage with your network, and maintain consistency across platforms. Remember, LinkedIn is not just a social network; it is a powerful tool for personal branding and career advancement.
Leverage its features to position yourself as a thought leader in your industry and showcase your expertise to the right audience. With a strong online presence on LinkedIn, you'll have top opportunities coming right to you.
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