A solid LinkedIn profile can often be the deciding factor when it comes to landing your dream job. According to LinkedIn expert Andrew McCaskill, it's important to remember that LinkedIn is not like other social media platforms: it demands professionalism and great attention to detail. McCaskill joined TheStreet to discuss some of the most important things to keep in mind when creating and maintaining a profile.
Full video transcript below:
JD DURKIN: What are some things to avoid and maybe some things not to avoid to create a really strong representative LinkedIn profile?
ANDREW MCCASKILL: Keep in mind that LinkedIn is a professional network. It's not your Instagram, it's not your Twitter, right? This is where people come to do business and find incredible talent and opportunities. Then your LinkedIn profile. Have a great photo, but you don't have to go out and get a professional headshot. Just know about beach selfies unless you plan on being a surf instructor, right? And we also have some surf instructors on our platform, but you know what I mean. It has to be a great photo that says: Hi, I'm Drew and I'm ready to work. But also really optimize your skills, make sure what's on your resume matches what's on your LinkedIn profile.
And take a look at your connections. Start following companies and people who are in industries and companies and roles you would like to fill. And participation is half the battle. You don't just walk in when you're looking for a gig, right? “There's something my dad used to say that I tell job candidates all the time,” he said. He would say, if you're ready, you don't have to be ready. And that's how we should think about our careers. It's not just when you're looking for work that you engage in your network and in the places where people look for talent, your visibility is really important, particularly in a more competitive market.
JD DURKIN: You talk about the importance of keeping those relationships sharp, keeping those profiles sharp, even if you're not actively searching right now, because there will come a time when you'll need it. I love that. Yes, if you are prepared, you have to prepare.
ANDREW MCCASKILL: If you're ready, you don't have to be. The time will also come. And it's also really good that your network knows people in your professional community that you really trust to say, “Hey, I might be looking very soon,” but that's not enough to just tell your network that you might be looking. Tell them what you're looking for and tell them what they should say about you. When they have conversations about you, just say, listen, JD, my superpower is that I'm a great storyteller. I am a great problem solver. I can discard my ass, right? And if you have the opportunity to hear from someone who is looking for someone with that skill and those talents, let them know that those are Drew's Superpowers. Make it easy for people to say good things about you and to know what those things are before you can say them.