When writing the “Summary” section of your LinkedIn profile, it is important to note this section sets the audience’s expectations for the remainder of your presentation. You have 2,000 characters to give readers a brief snapshot of who you are. Your LinkedIn summary can set you apart from other job seekers on LinkedIn by demonstrating that you understand what employers want — and what you have to offer that meets that need. It is a vital part of your LinkedIn presence so the first 2-3 sentences should be written to immediately engage your audience to continue reading — or, even better, intrigue them enough to contact you for an interview.

To prepare your summary, first answer the following questions:

• How will your next employer benefit from hiring you? Use specific numbers and facts to build credibility. Quantify the value in terms of numbers, money, and/or percentages.
• What experience do you offer that provides immediate value to your next employer?
• What additional skills do you have that set you apart from other candidates with similar credentials?

While constructing your summary, write naturally and conversationally. Unlike your resume, to differentiate your profile, you should use pronouns. Write as if you’re speaking to the individual reader and make it personal. Be sure to emphasize results — as well as what makes you uniquely qualified for the opportunity. Communicate your personal brand throughout your summary by sharing your success stories to demonstrate your unique value. Your summary can be anywhere from a few sentences up to a few paragraphs. Every word counts— but don’t waste any words. Make the most dramatic, powerful, attention-getting statement you can. However, don’t be overly flowery in your language. The point of the first sentence is to get the prospect to read the next sentence...and the next sentence…and the next.

Be conversational and informal in your tone. Use contractions (“you’re” instead of “you are”) where appropriate to further differentiate your profile and introduce a more personal tone. This is often your first interaction with a potential employer so it is critical that you pay attention to grammar and spelling. Finally, use asterisks, dashes, hyphens, and other keyboard characters to format the summary and make it easier for your audience to read.

Prior to publishing your final draft, proof read it carefully to ensure there are no mistakes, or even consider having a colleague, friend, or spouse read it. Better yet, invest in a career professional experienced in integrating and leveraging social media in an effective job search campaign.

To learn more about DCS's programs and services, schedule a free 15-minute consult with one of our certified career strategists.

Article reprinted by Margi Williams courtesy of Examiner.com

Image Credit: Getty's Images

Career experts estimate 75% of employment opportunities are never formally announced to the general public. Of the remaining 25%, employers can receive literally thousands of inquiries depending on the position’s industry, job function, and specialty area. Because this job search strategy yields low ROI, I recommend that jobseekers spend no more than 15% of the time they allot to their search responding to job ads. Instead, use the rest of your time to tap into the hidden job market through networking and direct contact. This approach is most effective for uncovering new job openings within a challenged economy.

The following five action steps are strategies candidates can use to immediately design and activate a targeted company list that yields lucrative informational interviews and job leads.

First, define company requirements using the following criteria:

• Size of company based on revenue, # of employees, where they are in the product development stage (if applicable), or if they’re public or private Industry
• Job function; will this be a management or direct contributor position
• Environment: company culture
• Management-style: highly structured or not
• Location: geography, will you relocate, will you travel
• Other parameters you determine based on your particular job search criteria
  

Second, confirm what companies and positions you are not interested in.

• When doing so, be sure to consider previous positions you didn’t enjoy because of culture or job fit.

Third, begin to create your company target list:

• Identify select companies using various research methods (i.e. LinkedIn, Hoover, GlassDoor, etc.).
• Obtain applicable hiring managers and other key contacts via referrals, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook, company websites).

Fourth, conduct preliminary research on company and industry to prepare for initial contact.

Finally, make initial contact to schedule an information interview. During the interview, only ask for advice, ideas, leads, and referrals. DO NOT ask for employment.

By carefully executing the above strategies, you will be that much closer to securing the job of your dreams. Good luck and happy hunting!

Article reprinted with the permission of Examiner.com and author, Margi Williams

Seven reasons you should be on the most popular social networking site for professionals:

1.  Because That’s Where The People Are. LinkedIn is the number one social network for professionals with more than 150 million members worldwide. Not only are people you know already on the site, but so are people you should get to know — recruiters, hiring managers, and your future co-workers.

2.  To “Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty.” In his book of the same name, author Harvey Mackay advocates building your network before you need it — and joining LinkedIn gives you a formal tool to build your network of connections.

3.   To Strengthen Your Offline Network. LinkedIn helps keep track of people you know “in real life” — what they are doing, where they work now, and who they know.

4.   To Reconnect With Former Co-Workers. Sometimes it’s hard to stay in touch with the people you used to work with — making it difficult to find them when you need them (say, to use as a reference in your job search). LinkedIn allows you to search contacts by employer, so anyone who listed that company in their profile will be found in the search.

5.   Because You Can Establish Yourself as an Expert. To build your credibility, career professionals encourage you to increase your visibility. For example, you can actively participate in Groups on LinkedIn related to your job as well as respond to questions on LinkedIn’s “Answers” forums. Anytime you post in Groups or answer questions, these updates can be added to your profile, so people looking for you can see that you are actively engaged in this powerful online community.

6.   To Be Found as a Passive Candidate. Having a robust LinkedIn profile, filled with your professional experience, accomplishments, and strong keywords, will lead prospective employers to you—even if you are not actively looking for a job. For instance, most recruiters regularly search LinkedIn to locate candidates that match their search assignments.

7.   Because Your Presence on LinkedIn Can Help You Be Found Elsewhere Online. It’s common practice for hiring managers and recruiters to “Google” job candidates, and your LinkedIn profile will likely appear high up in their Google search results. A strong LinkedIn profile can enhance your candidacy, especially if you have a solid network of contacts, at least a few recommendations, and you’ve supplemented the basic profile information with your certifications, languages you speak, SlideShare presentations, honors and awards, and your professional portfolio.

How has LinkedIn improved your job search efforts? Are there any specific search techniques you can recommend when searching for an employer?