If you’re seeking a new electronics job in 2022 or want to make yourself look like the best possible candidate in case your dream employer comes calling, then this post is for you.
When you’re looking for a new job, your LinkedIn profile and CV are your two most important tools, and even if you’re not actively searching for a new role, any good recruiter will use LinkedIn as a tool to source the best candidates to fill positions. This is particularly the case in the power electronics, SMPS, UPS, power semiconductors, semiconductors and RF sectors, where the right skills can be very difficult to come by.
With that in mind, how can you create a LinkedIn profile that gets you noticed for all the right reasons? Here’s our quick guide.
1. Know your audience
It’s important to think about the potential employers and recruiters who will be looking at your LinkedIn profile and what they want to see. In the electronics industry, it’s your technical skills that will capture their attention, so make sure they are displayed prominently and ideally within your LinkedIn summary.
You should think in terms of the keywords that best describe your experience and the specific skills you have and weave these into your headline and summary. Keywords are the terms recruiters and employers will use when searching for people just like you. If you’re struggling, look for people who have the job that you want and see what skills are displayed most prominently on their profiles.
2. Complete your profile
You could put time and effort into writing an excellent LinkedIn headline and summary but if you don’t complete your profile, it could be all for nothing. LinkedIn’s algorithms put far greater weight on users with complete profiles, so make sure you complete all of the sections and tick every box you can. There’s a ‘Profile Strength’ measurement on the right-hand side of the screen that will tell you how you’re doing.
Even if you apply for an electronics role rather than being headhunted by recruiters or hiring managers via LinkedIn, they’ll still check your LinkedIn profile. And, if your profile is only half complete, it’s not a good look.
3. Add strong, recent and relevant recommendations
Personal recommendations are a big deal in the close-knit electronics industry. Given that the sector is so specialist, current recommendations can really enhance your credibility and standing as an electronics professional.
When asking someone you’ve worked with closely for a LinkedIn recommendation, always discuss the skills and experiences that you’d like them to emphasize beforehand. It’s also important to keep your recommendations current. If your recommendations are a couple of years old or more, then ask your current colleagues or boss for a recommendation and give them one in return.
4. List your relevant skills
When it comes to the skills section, it’s not a case of the more you add the better. The key here is to list your strongest skills that are the most relevant to the role you are seeking. Adding too many will water down your key skills and take away from the real core of who you are and what you do.
5. Tailor your headline
By default, your current job title will show as your headline, but that’s not necessarily what you want. Instead, this heavily searched section should focus on the job title you are qualified for or want. You should also highlight the specific sectors you are interested in as well as the most relevant skills or certifications that you have. This will make your profile searchable for the job title you want and not the position you already have.
6. Let recruiters know you’re open to a new role
You don’t have to be actively searching for a job to be open to a new role. You can let recruiters know that you’re open to offers by turning on the ‘Open to Work’ feature. It allows you to privately share your career interests with recruiters who are not affiliated with your current employer. You can also tweak your settings to hide this information from anyone working at the same company as you.
The best chance of success
At PER International, we work with all of our candidates from first contact to maximize your chance of success. We format and proofread your CV and produce a detailed candidate profile to help you stand out in a busy marketplace. We also provide in-depth interview preparation and regular updates about your applications and interviews.
Take a look at our current vacancies, read more about our hiring process and get in touch with a member of our team.
