Creating a job application that really stands out starts with LinkedIn. At L’Oréal, LinkedIn talent sourcing accounted for a staggering 32% of our hires globally. We use LinkedIn as a key method when considering applications, as well as CVs and covering letters, as it brings your professional profile to life, and can really help us learn not just about your professional experiences, but your interests.

The first easy piece of advice we can give you is that make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and appropriately detailed! Your profile is basically your online CV, and so should be of the same level of detail! LinkedIn uses a ranking system to rate your profile, having an all-star profile is a big positive.

Have you heard the term SEO?

It stands for Search Engine Optimization, and it will give you better chances to be found when people type specific words in their LinkedIn search bar. The keywords listed in your profile have a significant impact on increasing your ranking among other users, make them count! If you are interested in Operations, CRM, recruitment, marketing, IT or others…do not forget to include those words in your headline, job titles, endorsements, skills and summary.

Let’s start!

1. Get snap happy!

Firstly, add a picture! It’s nice to be able to put a face to your application, it’ll help us remember you. Adding a picture to your LinkedIn also improves your chance of getting viewed by 11 times, so it’s important to have one. Keep it simple- with a smile and a plain background — the one of you dancing at your favourite nightclub may best be saved for other social networks.

2. Pimp out your URL

To make your profile look more professional customise your LinkedIn profile URL. This will make the link more shareable and easier for recruiters to find you. Be sure to include this on your CV so we can find you!

3. Write a Headline that catches our eye

Your headline is a place to show off your current role, or if you are without one instead utilise the space to show your key skills and speciality! This can be a great area to set yourself apart from other candidates!

4. Summary

Your profile summary is the first thing we read. A short snappy summary of your experience and current role. Try to tailor this section for the specific role you are applying for at L’Oréal. The summary should be around three lines long: there are many other sections to show your academia and skills so don’t go crazy on the detail.

5. Experience

Next comes the experience this is where you can show your previous experience and roles. If you are without much experience, try to put as many roles or jobs you have had. Even if they may not be directly relatable try and find skills, which you have gained within the roles, which are applicable to the role you are applying for in L’Oréal. Make sure your LinkedIn experiences match that of your CV, this is a common pitfall some candidates make. Details of the key responsibilities you held and the skills that you gained, help recruiters to see how you improved through the experience. Remember, you can attach any projects you were particularly proud of during your professional experiences to further illustrate your achievements via a media upload or link. This can be external documents, photos, sites, videos, and presentations.

6. Education

This is a simple section where we just look for any grades and achievements you have had in education. These two sections are basically a road to where you are today, what you have learnt, and how you have performed. Again, links are a great way to express and illustrate your educational achievements.

7. Your interests

Make sure your interests reflect the role you are applying for! It’s nice to see a candidate who is actively interested in the field which they are applying for. Not only is this a good sign for us, adding these interests will allow you to read up to date information about the area you are applying to, very useful at interview.

Don’t forget that people viewing your profile can see your latest activity, of the articles you’ve published, the posts you’ve made, or the content you’ve liked. This gives your network and recruiters a great idea of where your interests lie.

8. Your Connections

Finally, try and build your number of connections, not only is this good for your professional career but it is also good for when we search for candidates on LinkedIn. The LinkedIn search algorithm uses your connections with the recruiter, and the total number of connections to assess your position in the search results. Being located higher up the search field will help us find you and see how great you are.