Focus the avatar on your face

Having the focus on your face in any profile picture is important, especially on LinkedIn when employers are looking at your profile. Sticking to images that are just of you save employers and other people from confusion. Not everyone that will view your account will know who you are, and that needs to be on the top of your mind when you are picking a profile picture.

2.   Tell your story (LinkdIn)

It is very important to have an eye catcher on the front page of your LinkedIn to make employers want to look at the rest of your account. The place on LinkedIn that allows you to write a summary of yourself is crucial in the fact that it allows you to give a quick blurb about who you are and what you are about. Telling your story in 150 characters or less is very important to do on LinkedIn.

3.   Finish the job

“Finishing the job” is crucial when you are trying to seal the deal with an employer. The first step is having an appealing profile that employers would want to check out, but the next step is the most crucial in having them want to hire you. Having a complete profile that answers any question they might have is very important. Having all your information in a spot that is easy for employers to access is crucial.

4.   Go anonymous

Looking at your account from the outside in is a good way to see your account in the eyes of every other user on social media. When you view your own account on the public setting it can allow for you to see things in a different way. Seeing things in a different way not only allows for us to see how the public views our account but also allows us to see if we might want to make any changes.

5.   Quickly Answers, “What’s the Point?”

Responding to an email fast and to the point is very important when conversing with employers. Leaving out “fluff” is very important. Employers have busy schedules and a life of their own, making sure to respect that is very important when you are conversing with employers. Rather than dragging things out, get straight to the point.

6.   Save the Whole Story – Stick to the Facts.

Rather than explaining the story with every little detail involved, just say the facts that are most important to the story. Employers do not care about every little detail, but rather they want to know the important parts. Sticking to the facts and not including every little detail is important when drafting an email. Be aware that time is precious and that taking up an employer’s time will only irritate them.

7.   Be Personal and Personable

Being personal and not fake with employers is important. They want someone who is real and not putting up a front to make themselves sound good. Being able to relate and have a normal conversation makes a huge difference. Being a personable person will get you so far. Having the skills to get along with someone means a lot in the long run.

8.   Use Simple English

Using simple English is a good way of making sure that you won’t confuse the recipient of the email you are sending. Although you might think that using big words will make you sound smart, it can often times confuse the recipient if the words aren’t used correctly. Using simple English is not only easier for the one drafting the email, but also the one receiving the email. Simple words require less thinking.

9.   Font Matters/Formatting Matters

The simpler, the better. Using the generic Times New Roman, size 12 font is a good way of not distracting the recipient from the message. If you have a bunch of colors and fonts going on, that might distract from the point of the email.

10.                  Minimize Questions

Understanding that everyone has a life is very important when constructing and email. Asking a couple questions is always okay, but there is no need to bombard the employer with lots of questions.