Top 5 LinkedIN Jobseeker Pitfalls

LinkedIN is one of the best tools available for job seekers. It allows professionals to brand themselves and connect with others within their industry to build a valuable network. A well cultivated LinkedIN profile can attract interest from employers and potentially your next job offer. That being said, it’s important to know what makes a good profile and what pitfalls to avoid. We have identified five common LinkedIN pitfalls that we see from candidates. Read below to learn how LinkedIN pitfalls can be avoided to better your chances of using the site to land your next job.

1. Not continually updating your profile

Many people have zombie LinkedIN profiles that contain outdated information such as old jobs, old pictures, defunct groups, etc. If you can’t commit to maintaining your LinkedIn profile, sometimes it’s better not to have one at all. A complete and up-to-date profile on LinkedIN gives an immediate impression that you are active within your industry and serious about your career. According to a 2018 survey done by CareerBuilder, 70% of employers screen candidates on social media before hiring. This means it’s important to have an online presence that is professional and maintained. An inside tip regarding LinkedIN: The website alerts recruiters when you update your profile because new activity could mean that you are looking for a new job. If you don’t update to your most current job on LinkedIN you could be missing out on many new opportunities.

2. Having an extra career highlighted on your LinkedIN profile

Many people have an extra source of income or a job on the side such as selling cosmetics, jewelry, antiques, etc. If a hiring manager sees this activity on LinkedIN, they may be concerned that your attention will be divided at work and your focus could fall on your side job. Many companies have anti-moonlighting clauses in the employee agreements which don’t allow employees to work outside of their position within the company. They expect your full attention on the job at hand. These concerns may also distract from the qualifications that are relevant to the full-time position you are looking for. It may not be the best idea to highlight your experience with sales, for example, while searching for a full-time job that requires skills and experience unrelated to those required for your side job.

3. Not having enough connections

According to data from Statista Market Research, 70% of LinkedIN users have at least 300 connections. Having too few connections can send up a warning flag to potential employers. Having very few connections gives the impression that you haven’t put in the time or effort required to build a strong profile. Making connections on LinkedIN is easy and a valuable tool for creating a network for yourself. LinkedIN gives you free access to an extensive network of professionals that can be used to share ideas, give and receive advice, help with finding a job, and share news within your industry. By under-utilizing this tool, you are missing out on building beneficial relationships with professionals in your field. You are also missing out on potential job opportunities.

4. Participating in Political Groups

It’s always a good idea to keep your political affiliation under wraps especially in an online community designated for professional interaction. The same rule goes for any controversial group or idea. Politics can be very divisive and can easily create conflict. An aggressively political profile with controversial shared content can scare away professional opportunities. Potential employers might not agree with your beliefs, and a difference in opinion could hurt your chances of being considered for a job. Even if there isn’t a difference in political beliefs, it is still a distraction from your qualifications and experience as a professional. LinkedIN should be used to showcase your talent and expertise with as little extra as possible. As we stated above, according to CareerBuilder, 70% of employers will review your profile before contacting you. It’s best to avoid getting into online politics, especially on LinkedIN, while looking for a new job.

5. Not Choosing a custom URL

LinkedIN will allow you to choose a custom URL for your profile rather than keeping the long and generic URL with numbers that are difficult to remember. A custom URL will allow you to more easily share the link on a resume, e-mail, or social media. Customizing your URL is a simple way to personalize your profile and improve your self-branding. This link will also be searchable in major search engines such as Google, which means you could potentially be found even outside of LinkedIN. This is one easily forgotten step that could drastically improve your chances of attracting new opportunities via your LinkedIN profile.

LinkedIN might seem like a no-brainer, but we see these mistakes all too often. In order to show that you are top talent you need to make sure you have a strong and up-to-date profile that emphasizes your skills as a professional. With a little bit of effort, you can make your profile attractive to potential employers. You may have to invest some time into keeping your profile in good shape, but we believe it’s worth doing in order to improve your chance of a successful job search. Avoiding pitfalls like the ones we’ve highlighted will help ensure that you are positioning yourself for the best opportunities out there.

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Read our follow-up article on this topic for 5 more pitfalls!

Bradley Staffing Group is a full-service staffing firm based in Wayne, PA. We are committed to matching A-level talent with best-in-class businesses. Our knowledgeable and well-trained staff brings a combined 70+ years of staffing experience to our clients and candidates alike. http://useful-sock.flywheelsites.com/contact-us/