LinkedIn is the best and easiest way for recruiters to learn about your experience, so it’s important to spend some time on your profile. Here are a few LinkedIn tips that will help you get noticed by the right people at the right time.

1. Let recruiters know you’re available.

Did you know that LinkedIn has a special feature that lets you share your career interests with recruiters? This is a great way to promote yourself on LinkedIn. The first thing you want to do is let recruiters know you’re ready to shop your services around town. Here’s how:

1. Go to your LinkedIn page
2. Click on the Jobs icon in the top navigation bar
3. Click on the Career interests link at the top of the page
4. Toggle the Let recruiters know you’re open setting from off to on
5. Include a note to recruiters in the automatic dropdown box; treat this like a mini cover letter—you’ve only got 300 characters, so make them count

Also: Continue to explore the Career interests page and fill in as much information about your job search as possible. For example:

  • Job search status
  • Titles you’re considering
  • Desired location

This will help recruiters notice you, get to know what you’re looking for, and match you with the best-fitting job opportunities.

Note: If you’re currently employed but searching for new opportunities, LinkedIn may or may not keep your job search private, so you’ll have to run the risk of your employer seeing yourself out there. Our advice? Don’t let that stop you from getting after it. 

2. Connect. Connect. Connect.

When it comes to LinkedIn connections, the magic number is 500. As LinkedIn trainer Wayne Breitbarth points out, “Most people with large networks are experiencing greater success on LinkedIn.” According to Breitbarth, having a large LinkedIn network will help you:

  • Appear more often in search results
  • Appear higher in search rankings
  • Create more opportunities for engagement

Don’t be bashful. Reach out to current and former colleagues, relatives, and other professionals in your field. The second you surpass 500 connections, the closer you are to killing it on LinkedIn.

3. You have a profile pic, right?

If not, get one. Get one now. And no, a stiff-armed selfie’s not gonna cut it.

If so, is your photo appropriate for a professional platform? If it’s even a question, your photo is probably worth updating. Just look like you normally would in your professional setting and you should be good.

General tips for adding the best LinkedIn photo include:

  • Use a current photo of yourself
  • Make sure it’s a high-res photo
  • Showcase your beautiful face—it should take up 60% of the frame
  • Look happy and approachable (smile!)
  • Wear what you’d normally wear to work (or dress for the job you want)

Get a complete list of LinkedIn photo tips here: 10 Tips for Picking the Right LinkedIn Profile Picture

Bonus: Add a background image that accurately reflects your brand. Are you an engineer? An educator? A creative? Add a crisp, clean, and non-distracting LinkedIn banner image.

Here are 10 LinkedIn Background Photo Ideas To Make Your Profile Stand Out from Forbes.

Note: Recommended dimensions for LinkedIn banner photos are 1584 pixels by 396 pixels

4. Bulk up your recommendations.

When you need a product or service, do you research and read the reviews? Before you hire someone to fix your car, paint your house, or serve you dinner—don’t you make sure they’re legit? Yeah, hiring managers and recruiters do the same thing when they’re looking for talent to fill positions.

LinkedIn recommendations are basically testimonials about who you are as a pro, so of course you want glowing reviews from people you’ve worked with. Subordinates, colleagues, and superiors—their perspectives matter, and their opinions can be the difference between getting a job opportunity and being passed over.

Think of a person you’ve worked really well with in your department or field. Now think of a manager who’s always loved your work. Now think of an accessible C-level employee who’s given you positive feedback in the past. Here’s how to reach out to them for a recommendation on LinkedIn:

1. Go to your LinkedIn profile page
2. Scroll to the Recommendations section
3. Click Ask for a recommendation
4. Type the name of the connection you want to ask
5. Navigate the prompts

Don’t forget: Writing a recommendation is just as important as receiving one, and it’ll probably be easier to get one if you give one. So start cruising LinkedIn and get going!

There a many more tips and tricks for getting yourself noticed on LinkedIn, but there are just too many to include here. Until then, continue to conduct more LinkedIn research on your own and maintain a polished online presence on all your professional networks.