Networking and building connections has a HUGE impact on landing an interview for a job, but I continue to see many people fall short when it comes to using LinkedIn to their advantage for networking. Here’s where it often goes wrong:

• Not using a professional photo or worse, not having a photo at all.
  • This doesn’t necessarily mean you need a professional headshot photo taken, but it does mean you shouldn’t use a selfie either. The focus of the photo should be good lighting, letting your personality shine through the photo and minimal background distractions. The photo should be recent and convey the type of jobs/companies you are applying for.
• Not personalizing the invitation.
  • This is where I see most people fall short. Think of this invitation the same you would as an in-person introduction. Learn about the person you’re sending an invitation to and highlight something personalized that perhaps you share in common or are interested in. Maybe you went to the same universi...

Over 90% of recruiters are searching the social media profiles of job candidates. Why not customize your LinkedIn public profile URL to include on your resume?

Instead of the usual URL with your name with a bunch of numbers, you can personalize it! It could just be a more simplified version of your name or depending on the career you are in, or it could speak to your identity as a candidate (HRProfessionalElizabethJacobs)

Use these 3 easy steps:

1. Click the Me icon at the top of your homepage.
2. Click View profile and click edit public profile& URLon the right rail.
3. Type the last part of your new custom URLin the text box and click save