LinkedIn: An extension of your CV – How to use it the right way

In today’s job market, LinkedIn is just as important as your CV. It’s often the first place recruiters and employers look when considering a candidate. A strong LinkedIn profile can open doors, while a poorly maintained one can hold you back.

So, how do you make LinkedIn work for you? Here’s a simple guide on what to do – and what to avoid.

The Do’s: How to make LinkedIn work for you:

✅ Enhance Your profile

• Use a professional photo – first impressions count!
• Write a clear, engaging headline that reflects your skills and experience.
• Your ‘About’ section should be a short but impactful summary of your expertise and what you’re looking for.

✅ Keep your experience & skills up to date

• List relevant experience – treat your LinkedIn profile like an extended CV
• Add key skills that match your industry and expertise
• Get recommendations from colleagues or managers – they add credibility to your profile

✅ Engage & network

• Connect with people in your industry – networking can lead to new opportunities
• Share insights, comment on posts, and engage with discussions to build your presence
• Follow companies and recruiters (like IntaPeople!) to stay updated on job openings and industry trends

✅ Be visible to recruiters

• • Turn on ‘Open to Work’ (you can choose to show this to recruiters only)
  • Make sure your contact details are up to date
  • Use keywords in your profile that match your target job – recruiters search for these!

The Don’ts: What to avoid on LinkedIn

❌ Unprofessional photos

Your profile picture should be clear, high-quality and professional. Avoid blurry selfies, group photos or casual pictures.

❌ Overloading your profile with buzzwords

Words like hardworking, passionate and results-driven sound great but mean little without examples. Instead, show your skills through achievements.

❌ Leaving your profile incomplete

A half-filled profile with missing experience, no skills listed, or no summary doesn’t inspire confidence. Take the time to make it complete.

❌ Posting unprofessional content

LinkedIn is not Facebook or Twitter. Avoid:

• Complaints about previous employers
• Oversharing personal information
• Controversial or offensive opinions

❌ Ignoring messages from recruiters

Even if you’re not actively job searching, responding to recruiters can build relationships for future opportunities.

How IntaPeople can help

At IntaPeople, we work with top tech and engineering employers looking for talent like you. We don’t just match CVs to job descriptions – we help candidates build strong LinkedIn profiles, enhance CVs, and prepare you for interviews.

Looking for your next role? Connect with us on LinkedIn or get in touch

💡 Your LinkedIn profile could be the key to your next job – make it count!

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