LinkedIn Skills are often underestimated, but they’re a crucial part of how recruiters find you. Skills affect your ranking in search results, and they form a major part of LinkedIn's algorithm when matching profiles to job posts. Did you know that over 80% of recruiters use LinkedIn as part of their hiring process? Having the right skills can significantly enhance your visibility. To see why this works, think of skills as the keywords of your professional profile. The more accurate and aligned they are with the job you're targeting, the higher you'll appear in relevant searches.
Focus on listing skills that are both industry-relevant and job-specific. Instead of generic abilities like 'communication,' opt for 'strategic communication planning' if you're in PR, for instance. Check active job postings in your field and take note of the skills employers frequently highlight. Then, make sure those skills are part of your profile. Why does this matter? LinkedIn’s search algorithm prioritizes exact matches, so the closer your skills align with open positions, the more likely you are to show up in searches.
It's tempting to try and accumulate as many endorsements as you can, but quality beats quantity here. Focus on getting endorsed by people who hold authoritative roles or are highly connected in your industry. You can even send a quick message to colleagues asking for endorsements on skills relevant to your job search. Recruiters, consciously or not, weigh endorsements differently depending on who they are from. A few high-quality endorsements trump hundreds of generic ones.
Be methodical when asking for endorsements. Send personalized messages to users, such as former colleagues, who know your work well. You could use a script like: 'Hi [Name], I hope you're doing well! I'm currently optimizing my LinkedIn profile as I job search, and I noticed you have endorsed me for [a similar skill]. Would you mind endorsing me for [specific skill] too, as it directly aligns with my current job hunt?' Always reciprocate the favor to build relationships and showcase your skills.
A lesser-known LinkedIn feature is that you can reorder your skills to highlight the most relevant ones. Go to your profile, scroll to the skills section, and click on the pencil icon to reorder them. Place the most critical skills at the top. This matters because recruiters often look at the first few skills as reflective of your expertise. You should adjust these as your job search evolves to ensure you remain relevant to your target job role.
Recruiters often use LinkedIn's Recruiter tool, which allows them to pinpoint exact skills and industry niches. Ensure your skills match what your target employers are actively searching for. You might look at company pages and related job descriptions to refine your skills list. This alignment ensures your profile will pop up when recruiters hunt for specific skill sets. Recruiters are looking for laser-focused candidates, and they often use advanced search filters you won't naturally meet without this alignment.
Your LinkedIn profile should mirror the high standards and consistent messaging of your resume. That means your listed skills need to not only match the skills on your resume but complement them and demonstrate consistent branding. Consistency ensures that if recruiters look you up on LinkedIn after seeing your resume, they find a professional profile that underscores your qualifications. At this juncture, consider using services like 'Ghosted,' which offer free resume diagnostics to ensure every part of your professional presence boosts your employability.
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