LinkedIn
is one of the most powerful professional job sites to showcase your skills in
unique ways beyond the traditional resume. Taking the time to put together a
strong personal summary is not only important; it is a major part of your
online presence. Follow these steps to get the most from your LinkedIn summary
and position yourself for the best results.
How long you make your summary is
entirely up to you, but make sure it is relevant and creates an impact in the
beginning. Like a good novel, you want to keep the reader moving through your
content, answering the important questions along the way. Use this space
effectively by breaking up your sentences in inviting pieces, never assuming that
they will read the entire piece. Make it work effectively in the first
paragraph, then back it up with specific accomplishments and share your
personal goals.
The
LinkedIn Summary is the first thing that your audience sees about you. It
should be sharp and to the point, addressing specific needs and showcasing your
skills. Write in a conversational tone just as if you met someone in an
elevator and explaining what you do. Try to strike a balance between the
essence of a cover letter and what your accomplishments and goals include.
Ask
yourself these important questions when putting together your summary.
- Why
should we hire
you? What problems can you solve?
- How
will your future employer or client benefit from your skills?
- What
experience can you offer and how will that help our company? Show specific
results through numbers and past employer satisfaction.
- What
makes you different than someone else? Why are you special?
Many
of those who use LinkedIn often re-hash the same information as their resume,
which can undermine the potential opportunities. The personal summary should be
more than an objective or personal statement copied straight from your resume.
You should focus on specifically how you can solve a problem by addressing a
challenge that a prospective employer or customer deals with and what you do to
offer a solution.
One
of the biggest mistakes most people make when writing their resume or
establishing their LinkedIn account is to not show it to others for important
feedback. You want to understand how you come across to others. Have several
friends and colleagues examine your summary. Read it out loud to them and see
how it sounds. Is it pretentious and awkward? Does it address specific needs
from the point of view of an employer? You can also contact your local Small
Business Administration (SBA)
center or check in with a local college career center to get feedback.
A
great way to stand out from others is to align your social media and personal
website with the content you place on LinkedIn. If you have URL links that show
samples of your work as you are discussing them in your summary, this can add
breadth and depth to how you market yourself to future employers and help you
brand yourself toward your career goals.
A
great way to get ideas is to look at other LinkedIn professionals in your
industry. How are they representing themselves? Do they have a story? See how they are marketing themselves through
their summaries. You can tell a story that locks down your reader by capturing
their interest. Keep the content engaging, conversational, approachable and
have fun!
by Sara Collins
Sara Collins is a writer for NerdWallet,
a site that helps readers learn about the best ways to save money, from
strategic investing to finding the best online coupons.
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