When working with clients to improve their LinkedIn profile, I always ask them to provide me with a list of keywords that describe what they do in their profession.
More often than not, they provide me with a list of soft skills that describe them, not hard skills used in a search function. For example, they’ll give me “great customer service” as a key phrase. However, if I’m looking for someone to help me with a new home loan, I’m going to use terms like “loan officer”, “mortgage lender”, “refinance”. Yes, I want them to offer “great customer service”, but this is not what I’m going to type in the search box on LinkedIn.
So, I challenge you to come up with a list of six to ten keywords that describe you in terms of how someone would search for you. After you come up with the list, review your LinkedIn Summary to see if they appear there. If not, you have some work to do. The search algorithm on LinkedIn views the Summary as a very important part of your profile. Without one, LinkedIn will not rank your profile as high in a search. Without the right keywords, your target market won’t find you based on the skills they need.
For help on defining the right keywords for your profile, download our LinkedIn Keyword Worksheet.
Thanks! I’m going to check my LinkedIn right away!
Anne Dovel
Thank You! I have a rather large connection base on LinkIn and am still working on how to be effective there. Awesome worksheet as well.
These are great tips and reminders. Thanks!
Hmmm, I only reply to friend requests on Linkedin, I never put any energy into it. Perhaps I need to rethink this.
Kate, I’d be happy to talk with you about a strategy using LinkedIn for your business.
LinkedIn is the most powerful social platform in my personal experience. Unfortunately, I don’t leverage it enough. We must chat sometime about LinkedIn.
Carlana, you’re welcome to setup a free consultation call with me. See my Book Appointment link on my blog page.
I just got my fiance on linkedin and made sure he included keywords!
You are correct. Key words need to be in your profile so that recruiters/hiring managers can find you.
My blog for tomorrow talks about how to find keywords for your job search and LinkedIn profile. http://wp.me/p2JJFD-gG
Arlene, just read your post on defining keywords. Awesome technique. I’m going to give it a try.