Your LinkedIn Featured section is prime real estate for showcasing your best professional work. Include portfolio pieces, links to articles or presentations you’ve created, and even highly relevant accomplishments. These should be the kinds of artifacts that would compel a recruiter to think, 'I need to talk to this person.' By visually displaying your achievements here, you transform your profile into a more interactive and interesting digital resume. This tactic actively signals to recruiters that your skills and achievements are fresh and relevant, making you interview-ready.
Few people know that LinkedIn’s algorithm favors profiles that are not only complete but also interactive. Regular updates or changes to your Featured section signal activity and engagement. This boosts your profile in search results. Navigate to your LinkedIn dashboard, click on the ‘Profile’ tab, then choose ‘Add profile section’ and select 'Featured'—you’ll be ahead of most. This activity is picked up by LinkedIn's algorithm, making your profile more visible.
LinkedIn’s algorithm prioritizes not just text but rich media content. Including videos or visuals will make your Featured section stand out. Most crucially, this content needs to be directly related to the roles you’re targeting. With rich media, your profile becomes more engaging, which the algorithm registers positively, leading to increased profile visibility. Recruiters are drawn to interactive profiles because they illustrate technological savvy—a must-have in today’s job market.
Recruiters spend only a few seconds on each LinkedIn profile. Make those seconds count by strategically arranging your Featured items. Place the most impressive, relevant materials first. You can do this by going to your profile, clicking on the edit icon next to the Featured section, and dragging the items into the desired order. This aligns with recruiter behavior—they are more likely to form a positive impression when they can quickly access your top achievements.
Avoid using your Featured section as a dumping ground for any and all work you’ve done. Quality over quantity is the rule here. Including unrelated or outdated content can actually detract from your profile. Clean up your section by removing anything that doesn’t directly relate to the positions you’re targeting. This focused approach makes your expertise evident and ensures that recruiters see only the best of what you offer.
Personal recommendations can be one of the most impactful elements in your Featured section. Use this customizable message: 'Hi [Name], I'm currently seeking new opportunities and am updating my LinkedIn profile to reflect this. If you feel you can speak to my skills in [skill/role], could I ask for a brief recommendation? It would greatly enhance my profile's credibility. Thank you!' A well-placed recommendation can provide social proof and enhance your professional credibility.
Your LinkedIn profile should be an extension of your resume, maintaining a consistent and high-caliber professional presence across both platforms. A polished Featured section on LinkedIn adds depth to the static nature of a resume, giving potential employers a richer view of your capabilities. When your LinkedIn and resume complement each other, they form a comprehensive professional narrative. To ensure they're working in tandem, consider using tools like Ghosted's free resume diagnostic to refine your resume, reflecting the same greatness on LinkedIn.
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