Seek and LinkedIn and Beyond
In this episode of Conversations That Connect, Suki and Tayla dive into practical strategies for enhancing your job search success. From perfecting your LinkedIn and Seek profiles to crafting tailored resumes, they share actionable tips to boost your visibility and appeal to recruiters. With the job market showing a 30% increase in applicants per posting, staying ahead means actively engaging and presenting a polished professional presence.
Seek and LinkedIn and Beyond: Unlocking Career Success in 2025
In the ever-evolving job market, standing out as a top candidate is more challenging than ever. With platforms like Seek and LinkedIn leading the way, your online presence can be the key to landing your next big opportunity. This guide explores the insights shared by Suki and Tayla from the Montagu Group, diving into practical strategies for optimizing your Seek and LinkedIn profiles. Whether you’re actively searching or passively open to opportunities, these platforms can work together to elevate your professional brand.
Why Seek and LinkedIn Matter in 2025
In today’s competitive job market, recruiters rely on tools like Seek and LinkedIn to find the right candidates efficiently. Both platforms are widely used, but they serve slightly different purposes:
- Seek: A powerhouse for resume-based searches, this platform focuses on showcasing your experience and skills in a straightforward, searchable format.
- LinkedIn: The social network for professionals, LinkedIn allows you to build a personal brand, connect with others in your industry, and display a more dynamic, personality-driven profile.
The two platforms complement each other, and using them effectively can increase your chances of being discovered by recruiters and hiring managers.
Optimizing Your Profiles
1. Start with a Professional Photo
Your photo is often the first impression you make online. For LinkedIn, a high-quality, professional photo can boost your visibility. A polished image conveys professionalism, making your profile more approachable.
For those who prefer not to include a photo for privacy reasons, consider alternative branding elements like professional frameworks or custom graphics to enhance your profile visually.
2. Write an Enticing Headline
Your headline on LinkedIn is a critical element of your profile. It’s the first thing people see after your name and location. Use this space to showcase your expertise and career focus. Examples include:
- “Project Manager | Agile Practitioner | Passionate About Change Management”
- “Aspiring Data Analyst | Skilled in Python, SQL, and Tableau”
Ensure the headline aligns with the roles you’re seeking. Keywords are vital here, as they increase your chances of appearing in recruiter searches.
3. Craft a Compelling About Section
The About section is your opportunity to tell your story. Unlike a resume, this section allows for creativity and personality. Share what motivates you, your career journey, and what makes you unique as a professional. For example:
“I am a results-driven project manager with over 8 years of experience in delivering complex IT solutions. Passionate about fostering collaboration and driving innovation, I thrive in fast-paced environments. Outside of work, I enjoy mentoring aspiring professionals and contributing to open-source projects.”
Keep this section concise yet engaging, and ensure it complements the tone of your resume.
4. Highlight Your Skills
Both Seek and LinkedIn offer a Skills section where you can list relevant competencies.
- On Seek, choose up to 50 skills, ensuring they align with your current expertise and career goals.
- On LinkedIn, prioritize your top 5 skills, as these are prominently displayed.
Skills should reflect the keywords recruiters search for. For example, if you’re in IT, include terms like “SQL,” “Cloud Computing,” and “Agile Development.”
5. Leverage the Featured Section on LinkedIn
The Featured section on LinkedIn is an underutilized goldmine. Use it to showcase:
- Portfolio samples
- Published articles or blog posts
- Certifications or awards
- Projects that demonstrate your expertise
Adding tangible examples of your work can elevate your profile, making it more attractive to recruiters.
Keeping Your Profiles Updated
Regular Updates Matter
Recruiters often filter candidates based on recent activity. On Seek, profiles updated within the last week or month are prioritized. To stay visible, update your profiles regularly. Here’s how:
- Add a new certification or project.
- Refresh your headline or About section.
- Update your resume with recent experience.
On LinkedIn, you can signal your openness to work by using the “Open to Work” feature, instantly increasing visibility to recruiters.
Sync Your Profiles
Consistency across platforms is critical. Mismatched dates, job titles, or experiences can raise red flags for recruiters. Double-check that:
- Your LinkedIn and Seek profiles align with your resume.
- Titles and dates match across all platforms.
Consistency builds trust and credibility.
Tailoring Your Resume for Maximum Impact
General vs. Specific Resumes
A general resume is ideal for your Seek and LinkedIn profiles. It should cover a broad range of skills and experiences, making you visible for various roles. However, when applying for a specific position, customize your resume to highlight the most relevant experience and skills.
For instance, if applying for a Business Analyst role, focus on projects where you utilized analytical tools, even if your broader experience includes project management.
Be Honest About Experience
If a role or skill hasn’t been part of your experience for over a decade, consider whether it’s still relevant. For example, if you last worked as a Business Analyst 10 years ago but have since focused on Project Management, emphasize your recent work. Remember, you’re competing with candidates who are currently active in those roles.
The Power of Networking
Build Connections
Networking is vital, especially on LinkedIn. Start by connecting with colleagues, industry professionals, and recruiters. Be proactive:
- Send personalized connection requests.
- Engage with posts from your network.
- Share insights, articles, or updates relevant to your industry.
Utilize Recommendations
LinkedIn allows you to request recommendations from colleagues, managers, or mentors. These testimonials can add credibility to your profile, showcasing your strengths from another perspective.
Practical Tips for Using Seek
Visibility Settings
Ensure your profile is visible to recruiters. If you’ve been inactive on Seek, check your visibility settings in the profile settings section. Visibility is often the first step to being discovered.
Use Keywords Effectively
Recruiters search using keywords. Ensure your resume and profile include terms related to the roles you’re targeting. Avoid jargon; instead, use industry-standard terms.
Engage with Seek Actively
Seek uses tags to highlight active candidates. By updating your resume or profile weekly, you’ll appear more engaged, increasing your chances of being contacted.
Standing Out in a Crowded Market
Be Active and Engaged
Activity signals intent. Regularly updating profiles, engaging on LinkedIn, and applying for roles show that you’re serious about your job search.
Showcase Your Unique Value
Employers want to see what sets you apart. Whether it’s certifications, volunteer work, or a standout project, make sure your profiles reflect your unique contributions.
Build Your Brand
Think of your LinkedIn profile as your personal website. Use it to craft a professional brand that aligns with your career goals. Regularly post content, comment on industry trends, and engage with your network.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Inconsistent Profiles: Ensure all platforms present the same information.
- Outdated Resumes: Regularly refresh your resume to reflect your most recent experience.
- Generic Summaries: Personalize your About section to tell your unique story.
- Overloading Skills: Focus on relevant skills rather than listing everything you’ve ever done.
Final Thoughts
Seek and LinkedIn are powerful tools for career advancement. By optimizing your profiles, staying active, and engaging with your network, you can position yourself for success in 2025. Use the holiday season to refresh your online presence, ensuring you’re ready for new opportunities in the year ahead.
As Suki and Tayla emphasized, job searching is both active and passive. While actively applying is essential, having polished, up-to-date profiles on Seek and LinkedIn can attract opportunities even when you’re not looking.
So, take the first step. Update your profiles, connect with your network, and make 2025 your year of career growth.
Show Notes
Episode Title: Seek and LinkedIn and Beyond
Hosts: Suki and Tayla | Montagu Group
Duration: ~22 minutes
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Suki and Tayla discuss the importance of having optimized profiles on Seek and LinkedIn to stand out in the competitive job market of 2025. They share practical tips, strategies, and insights on crafting professional profiles, leveraging platform features, and building a personal brand to attract recruiters and employers. Whether you’re an experienced professional or new to the job market, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you navigate your career journey.
Topics Covered:
-
Why Seek and LinkedIn Matter
- Differences and complementary strengths of each platform.
- The role these platforms play in the modern job search process.
-
Profile Optimization
- Creating professional photos and headlines.
- Writing engaging About sections and showcasing skills effectively.
-
Consistency Across Platforms
- Avoiding red flags by aligning your profiles and resume.
-
Active vs. Passive Job Searching
- Balancing active applications with passive profile maintenance.
-
Tailoring Resumes for Specific Roles
- When and how to use general vs. customized resumes.
-
The Power of Networking
- Building connections on LinkedIn and requesting recommendations.
-
Practical Tips for Seek Users
- Managing visibility settings and keywords.
- Maintaining activity to boost recruiter engagement.
-
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
- How to avoid outdated resumes, inconsistent profiles, and irrelevant skills.
Resources Mentioned:
- LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” feature.
- Seek’s visibility settings and skills section.
- Techniques for requesting recommendations and endorsements on LinkedIn.
Who This Episode Is For:
- Job seekers looking to elevate their online presence.
- Professionals preparing for career transitions in 2025.
- Students and recent graduates entering the workforce.
Key Takeaways
Optimize Both Seek and LinkedIn Profiles
- Use high-quality photos, clear headlines, and engaging About sections.
- Highlight your skills with relevant keywords to appear in recruiter searches.
Maintain Consistency
- Align your resume, Seek profile, and LinkedIn to avoid confusion or red flags.
Regular Updates Matter
- Update profiles weekly or bi-weekly to signal activity and boost visibility.
Use Keywords Strategically
- Tailor skills and experiences to match industry-standard terminology.
Active vs. Passive Job Search
- Actively apply for roles while maintaining passive streams (Seek and LinkedIn).
Tailor Your Resume
- Use general resumes for profiles but create role-specific ones for applications.
Leverage Platform Features
- Use LinkedIn’s Featured section to showcase portfolio work and Seek’s skills section to rank higher in searches.
Engage Your Network
- Build connections, request recommendations, and participate in industry discussions on LinkedIn.
Avoid Common Pitfalls
- Keep profiles current, skill listings relevant, and summaries personalized.
Think of LinkedIn as Your Professional Brand
- Share content, engage with posts, and present yourself authentically while maintaining professionalism.
If you have a burning topic you’d like to discuss, don’t hesitate to reach out at hello@montagu.com.au.
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