Would it surprise you to know that social media has become an almost universally adopted hiring tool, with 92 percent of recruiters surveyed using it as part of their interview and hiring process?   Of the various social media, LinkedIn comes out on top with 87 percent of recruiters using Linkedin.  Fifty-five percent are using Facebook, and 47 percent are using Twitter.

LinkedIn Use in Job Search

Recruiters are searching more than just your profile, they are giving it a thorough review for not only qualifications but to learn a little more about an applicant’s personality.

Screening Applicants

Here are the top things job recruiters look at when screening applicants:

1. Is Your Profile Completed?

If your profile is incomplete, it probably means you don’t give much thought to how you present yourself to others. It makes a bad first impression. Your profile should be your online resume showing your previous and current places of employment with accurate start and end dates.

You should also include a summary of your qualifications, awards, work history, and skills along with a recommendation or two. Your summary should be short, concise, and easy to read with bullet points.

Make the most of your headline, it’s your first profile impression. Check for discrepancies, they can be a red flag to employers that you’re not detail-oriented.

2. Your Photo

Is your photo a professional headshot or a selfie? Are you wearing professional attire or dressed casually while at the beach? Is it a close-up or just a dark shadow in the background? Your photo represents who you are in the business world, not on vacation.

It should represent the job you’re seeking. If you can’t afford to get a professional headshot, dress in business attire and have a friend or family member take a photo of you against a solid color background.

3. Your Connections

The more connections you have, the more a job recruiter sees that you are a networker and make connections that can improve your knowledge and referrals. If you have less than 300 connections, you need to take some time to beef up your profile and connect with more people.

4. Your Activity

During a job search, recruiters want to see that you’re active on LinkedIn. Are you reading your news feed, sharing content, and commenting regularly? This will show a recruiter that you have a level of professional interaction with your connections.

If you’ve written articles, be sure to include links to them in your profile so that recruiters can learn more about you. Keep any content you post professional, this is your online image.

5. Your Status

If you’re currently seeking a new position, using the “ Open Candidates ” option will allow you to privately let recruiters know that you’re searching. If recruiters know this in advance, they are more likely to send opportunities your way.

Job Recruiters Take Your Profile Seriously

Job recruiters take your LinkedIn profile seriously so you need to as well if you want to grab their attention.  Spending an afternoon updating your profile is time well spent if you’re looking for a new job.  You can make it easier for recruiters to find you by joining industry groups and commenting on discussions. Recruiters are always seeking professionals within their industry to connect with.