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Transitioning from winter to spring doesn’t mean that cleaning should be the only thing on your to-do list. With the first quarter of the year winding down and tax season soon to pass, spring is often a great time of transition for those looking to make their next leap forward in their career. Whether you’re moving, seeking a promotion, or just looking for your next opportunity, spring is a great time to initiate change.

Changing careers isn’t quite the same as blocking out a Saturday and stocking up on wipes, however. Finding the right position is challenging enough, let alone going through the application and interview process. Profiling websites like LinkedIn have stepped up to simplify this process and leave you some time to clean out the house. Nevertheless, opportunity does not mean ease. Finding success on LinkedIn can require a careful touch, which is why we’ve outlined some ways you can spruce up your profile as you enter the next chapter of your career.

Make A Strong Visual First Impression

Your profile photo and banner image are the visual handshake of your LinkedIn presence. Make sure your photo is current, high-resolution, and professionally appropriate. For your banner image, consider using one that reflects your industry, values, or even a personal brand message—it’s subtle, but it sets the tone before anyone reads a word. LinkedIn has a ton of built in options for your banner, but importing something more personal can be a great choice as well.

Facing Forward With Your Headline

Your headline, or the small blurb that appears under your name, is arguably the most crucial part of your LinkedIn profile. Besides your name and photo, this is the only information that people on LinkedIn will have access to before they click on your profile. Thus, your headline serves as a digital first impression of sorts. Having a strong headline can be the difference between a recruiter clicking on your profile or moving on to the next candidate.

Ways To Refresh Your Headline

When it comes to your headline, brevity is key. This shortness ensures clarity when someone reads your headline. They aren’t confused about which of the three fields you listed are your primary interest, and they aren’t bogged down by extra information or preferences. Having a directive or ideal in your headline (e.g., “driving the world towards a better future�) can draw eyes, but again, you run the risk of diverting attention away from your key point. 

In almost all cases, your headline should simply state your current position or the most relevant experience you have for the position you’re applying for. This way, when a recruiter comes along looking for someone with your skillset, they know right away that you have what they’re looking for.

Showing Yourself Through Your Summary

If your LinkedIn skills and experience section operate as your resume, then your summary works as a general cover letter to whoever sees your profile. Nailing your summary is a great way to get a person interested in you and could just be the difference maker between you and a candidate with similar skills.

Crafting a great summary can feel like a balancing act at times. Striking the right mix of personality, experience, confidence, and eagerness is a tough task. Luckily, there are plenty of tips and outlining structures available for those willing to learn. have an article going over the subject. Nonetheless, there are a few methods that remain consistent across the wide variety of advice available online.

Elements Of A Great Summary

The first of these core tenets is a hook or a mission statement, typically found at the start of your summary. This is to draw your reader in and is often done by highlighting what you’ve accomplished in the past (hook) and what you’re looking to do in the future (mission statement). 

Next, you delve into your career journey, all of the education and experience you’ve had in the past few years. This section makes up the bulk of your summary and gives an in-depth look into what you’ve done to make yourself a strong candidate for your next position. 

Crucially, career summaries that succeed include what you learned interspersed throughout your experience. Showing what you’ve learned represents your ability and willingness to learn, traits that are essential when starting a new position. The end of your summary includes your skills and a brief call to action, which encourages your reader to reach out to you or connect you with positions that you’re looking for.

Highlight Relevant Skills

A final section that’s crucial to have up to date is the skills section. Review your skills section and ensure it reflects your most up-to-date capabilities. Prioritize the top 3�5 skills you want to be known for and remove outdated or irrelevant ones. Doing so shows that you are firm in your areas of expertise and knowledgeable of your capabilities. Ask former colleagues to endorse your work in those areas for added credibility. It’s also important to target your skills toward whatever profession you’re pursuing next. Everyone has a wide variety of skills; summarizing all of those in 3 points doesn’t tell the full story. Instead of trying to attempt that impossible summary, select a narrow set of skills that show that you’re the right person for the job. Crucially, ensure that your skills are reflected in your resume, either through evidence or directly. This cross-referencing adds credibility to your character.

Partner With Premier

Finding a new position can appear daunting at first, which is why being intentional in the job-seeking stage of the process is so crucial. Premier has decades of experience helping out during this influential stage of the process, as well as all the other steps before and after it. If you’re looking for access to an incredible network of recruiters and companies looking for their next employee, Premier is here to bridge the gap between you and your future. Contact us today to learn how we can help!