More and more over the last several months, we are learning the continuing value of developing and maintaining a strong digital presence. As our world becomes increasingly reliant on virtual connection in the age of COVID-19, it is more important than ever to adapt and hone our networking and communication skills to meet these needs.
Whether you are currently in the job search, or simply want to keep your marketing materials sharp and relevant in the event of an opportunity presenting itself, one of the most important things that you can do in this time is refresh your LinkedIn profile.
This article from Business Insider demonstrates exactly why LinkedIn is such a great opportunity for jobseekers at the moment, and does an excellent job of showcasing how you can go about updating your LinkedIn profile to meet the needs of the “next normal’s” job market.
A few key takeaways:
1. – Shift your thinking of the LinkedIn profile to that of a resource, not just a resume.
Too many times job seekers are guilty of treating their LinkedIn profile like a static online resume instead of like a resource that can be used to demonstrate your areas of expertise and allow you the ability to communicate with your audience.
Instead of creating a standing resume, experts suggest that you work to communicate how you contribute to your teams/industry and share your expertise. You can do this in a number of ways, including sharing articles, references, media, and more.
2. – Refocus your “About” section
Historically on LinkedIn, people have had a tendency to craft an “About” section that is nearly identical to the professional summary on their resumes. Instead, think about the About section as a more organic way to tell your story – what is it that you want readers to know about you as a professional – what is your “remarkable difference”?
3. – Connect with others genuinely
This one kind of seems like a no-brainer, but in the age of COVID-19, where so many of us are adjusting to the idea that we are #AloneTogether – genuine human connection can be hard to come by. Making an effort to use LinkedIn to create genuine connections and network with people on a deeper scale will help you really gain traction in building your network and opening yourself up to new opportunities.
If you’re interested in reading the entire article from Business Insider, you can do so by clicking here. We hope that this has been informative in helping you think about redesigning your LinkedIn profile a bit, and also in helping you think about redefining the way you think about LinkedIn as part of your networking and job search strategy.
Have a great day and Go Bucks!