5 things that can cost you a job when using Linkedin

Linkedin is one of the most impressive tools when searching for a job. Its unique nature of putting a face to an applicant is finding people more job opportunities than ever. In fact over 100 million people are using Linkedin everyday, however as with all social media profiles, improper or misuse can often cost you a job. Most people will know to set their Facebook profiles to the highest privacy settings and ensuring you're tweeting the right content (and with the right spelling) can really help when employers search for you. Yet people do still making glaring errors on Linkedin which can cost them a job. So below I've listed the top 5 things that can cost you a job when using Linkedin.

Not having a profile picture
Not having a profile picture is simply unprofessional. It not only gives you a chance to add a bright smiling face to your wonderful profile but it also makes your profile stand out among hundreds of other clients. Even a simple head shot would do, but a picture of you with a smiling face in a (respectable) social setting will work wonders in securing you a job interview. Plus, it makes it easier for people who know you to find you.



Results over responsibilities
Most people like to upload their CV and be done with Linkedin, but the truth is that Linkedin is becoming one of the top ways to showcase your achievements. Too often I come across profiles listing only their responsibilities in day to day jobs, rather than their overall skills and achievements. An example of this would be: 'The twitter page gained over 50,000 followers during my time with Imaginary company', which sounds much better than: 'Control of Twitter content'. It also gives the employer a chance to see how you will fit in to their company and what results they can expect from you.

Not joining groups
Joining groups can be one of the best ways to start connecting and networking with professionals in your local area. It's a really good tool to find out who is doing what and what exactly you need to do to get where they are. With that in mind a lot of industry leaders are using groups to find employees and it's always good to contribute to groups to show employers that you actively care about your profession. Not joining groups may show that you aren't truly passionate and may put people off looking into you further.

Spelling or grammar mistakes
In business the ability to have a great attention to detail and be able to communicate effectively are two key factors for success. Spelling or grammar mistakes on your profile show that you lack both. It would be best to start typing everything you put on your Linkedin profile in Microsoft Word, then have someone spell check it, then do it again yourself. It's surprising how many people still don't take this advice, so do yourself a favor and be a step ahead of everyone else.

Not updating your profile on a regular basis
The first thing an employer is going to do when they have got your CV is search for you on Linkedin. If your profile doesn't match your CV the employer is going to think something is a little bit wrong. It gives the employer a feeling of uncertainty, which may mean you miss out on an interview and your chance to impress. Regularly updating your profile shows that you are organised, ambitious and that you want to continue to grow and learn, both in your professional and personal life.

With these tips in mind you should be able to ensure your profile doesn't have any errors which may put a potential employer off. If I had to recommend any one of these tips specifically over the others I would say, that you ensure everything you put on your Linkedin page is spelled correctly and the grammar is perfect. There is nothing more disappointing  to an employer than misspelling your own job title or an industry leading word.