Career Advice from Amy Soricelli, Director of Alumni Placement

Tips for using LinkedIn to get your resume noticed

I recently spoke with an alum who was searching for her profile on LinkedIn. She told me that she had just completed a search using her zip code along with a keyword search, but her profile only appeared on the 10th page. I let her know that it wasn’t a question of popularity, but I resolved to find out why she wasn’t ranked higher.

Here’s what I found out. The more you use LinkedIn, the higher your profile will rank in search results. Searching LinkedIn for promotions, new positions, and new connections is only a portion of what you can find through the site. For instance, make sure to click the articles that your connections post and comment on. When you do read a post, make sure to click the 'like' icon so that your name is attached, which can prompt new connections to view your profile. When you see that one of your connections has made a new connection of their own, find out if you can also connect.

LinkedIn’s algorithms also provide new names and connections for you in the top of your profile page. These recommended connections share some common link to your profile. Make sure to take advantage of every recommended connection. The purpose of LinkedIn is to expand your network, and use your professional connections to make your job search more successful.

Finally, make sure to join professional groups relevant to your career. There is a limit to the groups you can join, so be cognizant of which groups are most advantageous. If you have reached your limit, leave a group and join another. Remember, LinkedIn is a tool - the more you use it, the more comfortable it feels and the better it can serve you.