Optimizing your LinkedIn Profile for Supply Chain Jobs

This is a post for anyone actively looking for jobs within supply chain. LinkedIn is probably the top used social media for recruiters and offers a lot in regards to job postings, contacting recruiters directly, and more. Below is my Step-by-Step guide to making the most out of your LinkedIn profile when looking for a new job.

1. Refresh your Linked in
2. Update your URL
3. Have a Good Headshot
4. LinkedIn Premium - Free Trial or discount
5. Turn on "Looking for Work"
6. Add Connections
7. Tags and Keywords, Hashtags
8. Start Applying
9. Engage 

Refresh your Linked in

Make sure your job experience is updated. Try to show off some of your technical knowledge, using industry standard terms - but make sure to keep it short and succinct. Long rants are not something I'd want to read as a recruiter, but I do want to get a sense that you know what you're talking about.

Make sure you fill out as many fields as possible, to ensure you're giving the maximum amount of information in order for recruiters to find you.

Update your URL

On your profile, select the pencil icon to edit your intro section. At the bottom of this section is Contact Info, where you can edit Profile URL, Email, WeChat ID - Select this and at the top is your custom URL. Try to use a professional looking, short URL - typically your name. You can then put this on your resume as a much easier link to your LinkedIn Page.

Have a Good Headshot

Do you have a professional headshot? if yes, use it - or try taking a selfie in front of a wall, use good lighting and as neutral/blank of a background as possible. You can buy a very low cost circle light (Similar to what you may have seen "influencers" use) and get a pretty remarkably good headshot with a little bit of time. Nowadays we all have amazing cameras on our phones - use it!

How to turn on LinkedIn Premium - Free Trial or discount

Typically you are given a 30 day free trial of premium once you create a LinkedIn account. Premium seems to be a good deal especially since it only takes a few weeks for supply chain candidates to typically find a new job, as long as you are open to opportunities. 

If you cancel at the end of your trial, Linkedin will typically offer you 2 additional months for half price.
Stay for just $15.00/month for your next 2 months (normally $29.99/month)

Turn on "Looking for Work"

Again on your main profile, on the top intro section, you can let recruiters know you are "open to work" by selecting the "Show recruiters you’re open to work — you control who sees this. Get started" card at the top.

Add Connections

Add everyone you can find - more connections the better. Anyone you have worked with directly is free game to add. Try not to add strangers though, as it can come off a bit spammy or creepy, unless they are direct recruiters for positions you're interested in.

Tags and Keywords, Hashtags

Take a look at the tags and keywords used in job postings that you're ideally interested in. Make sure to use these tags and keywords in your own profile - as long as they apply to you. I find most tags I don't think of off the top of my head; and the tags limit is pretty limiting, so take a look around and decide on the very top keywords that you want your profile to be associated with. The keywords will be located in the "industry Knowledge" section of your profile. A few supply chain keyword examples are below:

Start Applying

Start applying to jobs on linked in - at the very top there is a "Jobs" icon. It will suggest jobs to you, and even suggest jobs were you'd be a top applicant according to your keywords (above) if you have LinkedIn Premium. Use easy apply where necessary, however usually filling out an application on direct websites is ideal, and I find it only takes a few minutes (especially with your resume or linked in open so you can copy and paste - a LOT of the sites will automatically now fill out your job sections directly from a PDF resume!). Direct sites typically give much faster follow ups.

Literally ignore any "year's experience" or "masters degree preferred" - these are typically overblown. Apply for jobs that look good to you.

Engage 

With all your new connections, you might start seeing interesting posts. Start liking, commenting, and engaging with these posts - share ones that you like, maybe even post your own content or accomplishments. Keep things professional though! You never know who will see these posts. I make sure to keep things like politics, religion, etc out of my posts.

The more you engage, the more likely you will start showing up on recruiters or customer's searches.