If you’ve done a thorough job search yet can’t find anything worth applying for, you may be wondering what more you can do. Well, there’s a lot actually. Whether there’s a pandemic, recession, or anything affecting the national economy, Know that there’s always the ‘hidden job market‘.

This term refers to roles that aren’t formally advertised on job boards or elsewhere. It’s the realm of head hunters, word-of-mouth referrals, and the like.

Here’s the thing: as vacancies are filled through networking than traditional means, the hidden job market provides you better chances of getting hired if you know how to navigate it.

Signing up for LinkedIn is an effective move to access these ‘hidden’ opportunities because:

• It’s the most beloved social media platforms by recruiters as it’s where motivated professionals come together.
• It’s where companies hope to be introduced to qualified candidates through their contacts.

If you’re hoping to build that kind of connection with a potential employer, having a profile is nowhere near enough though. You must pay close attention to what you’re putting on there so you’ll be found among the millions of other users and prompt hiring managers to contact you.

How You’re Ruining Your Profile on LinkedIn

1. A headline that leaves no impression

Once someone lands on your profile, you have only seconds to impress them and encourage them to learn more about you. The first thing they’ll see is your headline which appears right below your name and photo. If it doesn’t grab their attention, you’ll lose your chance.

You’re limited to 120 characters to concisely tell people who you are and what you do. This isn’t the place to restate your current title and company or make exaggerated claims about your accomplishments. Don’t make it too long nor too short but just right.

Describe what you’re best at or how you do what you do. Use keywords relevant to your field to make it easier for people to find you. Opt for the vertical bar to separate words or phrases to optimize your headline for advanced search. Include your skills whenever you can.

Avoid mentioning that you’re actively looking for opportunities at the moment. Some businesses prefer candidates who are already connected to a client. While they’re not aiming to poach you, your employment status speaks volumes about your value as a remote worker.

Examples:

• Experienced Writer Creating Content for Nonprofit Organisations
• Social Media Marketer | Content Writer | Video Editor
• Recruitment Manager | I help you find people who love what they do

2. A summary that rambles on

Let’s say you started telling a story with your headline so you need to continue it in your About section. Often, it’s the only part of your profile that visitors will take the time to read. Consider it your elevator pitch where you’re selling yourself as a candidate.

At 2,000 characters, the summary area offers plenty more real estate compared to your headline and you should maximise this. However, it shouldn’t be a mere summation of your work history or experience. Neither should it seem like a complete autobiography. Strive to keep it as succinct as possible.

Be meaningful in what you’re writing and focus on what you can do for others without sounding arrogant or desperate. Stick to facts and include numbers where possible. Also, use first-person pronouns i.e. ‘I am…’ rather than referring to yourself in third person e.g. ‘Jane Doe is…’ or ‘He has…’.

Most people default to phrases such as ‘team player’ as these are words everyone is familiar with. Go the extra mile and describe what they mean to you by enumerating the hard skills you have that help you to achieve objectives and meet deadlines.

Examples:

• I bring out the best in myself and in others to achieve goals and address problems more effectively as a team.
  
  
• When you want your website to leave a good impression on all your visitors, entrust your dream to me.
  
  
• I possess the following skills: 1. Financial modelling 2. Statistical analysis 3. Accounting software proficiency

3. A history that says nothing specific

While your headline and summary are the first things recruiters will read on your profile, you want to make them curious enough to scroll down to your work experience. Many virtual professionals think that a list of past clients and roles is enough but it actually isn’t the case.

Hiring managers want to know what you came, saw, and conquered in each of your previous assignments. You mustn’t hesitate to tell them. Copying and pasting your entire resume onto this area doesn’t work. Your profile is meant to expand on your curriculum vitae for a more general audience.

Make sure that you are linking each job to the company so you’ll appear as an employee who works or worked there. Provide a brief overview of what the position entailed along with some facts and figures. Highlight your accomplishments, such as being the employee of the month and etc.

Instead of phrases like ‘tasks included’ or ‘responsible for’, use action words such as saved, handled, resolved, faced, and so on. Keep it simple but don’t overdo the bullets so it remains readable. Seek recommendations from previous or current colleagues on LinkedIn to backup your claims as well.

Examples:

• Managed a 20-person team of writers who each had to create 3,500 words worth of content per day.

• Increased team performance by 21% and annual revenue by 48% since promoted to managerial position.

• Closed 5 deals worth at least $500,000 each and contributed a total of $3.5 million in annual revenue.

Raise Your Chances of Getting Hired

Think of your LinkedIn profile as your personal billboard online. It has to do its job of attracting companies to you even if it doesn’t look like they’re actively hiring. To achieve this, you must ensure that your profile is both polished and professional by avoiding the common mistakes discussed.

Should you need further help in becoming a more appealing job candidate, Remote Workmate is the right place for you. Our blog is packed with articles on how to become a better remote worker, how to ace your interviews, and so on.

Best of all, we’re connected to clients from all over the globe who are searching for qualified virtual professionals. They often don’t post their openings on recruitment boards and other places so you can say that they’re also part of the hidden job market.