10 Things Moms Who Get Recruited on LinkedIn Have in Common

You know a LinkedIn presence can help you get that next job these days. But regurgitating your resume on the professionals-only social media network isn’t enough to lead to interviews. We talked to Blair Decembrele, a LinkedIn career expert, on what moms who get results are doing to their profiles and more.

Even if your goal is to work from home full-time, you can’t get the gig if a recruiter or hiring manager can’t find you. You’re 23 times more likely to show in a LinkedIn search if you list your current or desired locale. “Oftentimes recruiters will use advanced search based on location, so the more details you have the more likely you will be found and connected to your next opportunity,” says Decembrele. Don’t worry; you don’t have to post your address. Just your metro area will be publicized. Here’s how to turn on your location.

”While they don’t directly influence search results, recommendations from clients, former coworkers, employers, vendors and other professionals in your network make your profile go the extra mile,” Decembrele says. “In fact, one in five hiring managers says personal recommendations are a top factor in evaluating potential candidates.” While it can be awkward to ask for props, leaving recommendations for those you’ve worked with in the past might serve as a subtle hint that you’d like them to return the favor.

We can’t wait for the day this changes, but sadly, this can be a deterrent to recruiters, who might not know whether an opportunity can become remote. Here’s when it’s best to bring up wanting to work from home.

It’s the simplest way to signal to recruiters that you’re up for being contacted about other jobs. Yet this little button is pretty easy to miss, and could be the reason no one’s reaching out. Remedy that like this. If you’re concerned someone at your current company will find out, don’t be; LinkedIn won’t show them that you’re on the hunt.

“Members with five or more skills listed are discovered up to 27 times more in searches by recruiters,” says Decembrele. Again, “the more specific you are, the better.” That’s because when hiring managers and recruiters are searching for a candidate, they will plug in skills they seek. Having them on your profile, especially with endorsements from others who are highly skilled in those areas, could get you that elusive interview. Plus, “in a recent LinkedIn survey, we found that nearly 90 percent of professionals feel that skills are even more important than job titles.”

“This makes your profile more likely to turn up in a future employer’s search,” says Decembrele. A good idea: If you are looking to work from home, use this as an opportunity to highlight pertinent experience, like “Managed a remote team of 20 while improving profit margins by 40 percent.” Another smart move, says Decembrele: “Review desirable job descriptions on LinkedIn and include the keywords and skills featured to impress recruiters and prospective employers.” To fill out your summary, click on “Me” in the top navigation on any LinkedIn page (once you’re signed in), then view profile and then the editing pencil to the right of your photo.

It doesn’t matter if you have a Ph.D. or just a high school diploma. Leaving recruiters wondering about your degrees doesn’t work in your favor.

“Adding your industry makes you up to 38 times more likely to be found by recruiters,” says Decembrele. Where to do it? On your profile (see instructions in tip 6, and scroll down a little farther) and also on https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/career-interests/. Page down until you hit, “Which industries do you prefer?” and start typing until the correct ones auto-fill. You can also work your industry into your 40-plus-word summary.

Did an industry website write about you or a project on which you worked? Link to it from your profile! Do you work in a creative field? Post examples of your work! It’s a compelling way to showcase your professional achievements right from your personal page. Follow the steps in tip 6 to upload materials you want right up top, or click on the editing pen on your profile beside your past jobs, and upload relevant media there.

They create and share content about their area of expertise. They follow companies where they’d like to work. Both prove to recruiters that you’re up on the latest trends that matter in your career.