It’s a tired narrative… people have super short attention spans these days… ya, we’ve heard this a million times.
However…
I honestly believe that this is simply because we’ve got a LOT of options to choose from when it comes to… just about anything.
This DOES NOT mean we can’t get and hold people’s attention.
Think about it…
How many TV show’s have you binged for hours at a time? Do you have any hour-long podcasts that you listen to religiously (I sure do!)
Bottom line: With so many easily accessible options, it’s challenging to get people’s attention, but once you have it, they’re yours.
Yes… but what does this have to do with my LinkedIn profile?
When recruiters, hiring managers, potential employers, or just valuable new connections first come across your profile on LinkedIn, they’re going to see 4 things and generally focus in on them in this order…
Your Profile Photo
Your Banner Image
Your Name
And Your Headline
These are what we call your “CORE FOUR” And they are going to process all that information and make a gut decision on how they feel about you in 1-2 seconds… that’s it.
So if we want to make a great first impression, we have to make these 4 items count…
But why should I care? What happens when I make a good impression on LinkedIn?
Reason #1: To Not Embarrass Yourself. If someone is looking for you specifically on LinkedIn, and your Core Four are not top notch, you risk losing this person’s professional respect in the early stages of the relationship, which could be really challenging to win back.
Reason #2: You Never Know When a Recruiter is Watching. Recruiters generally get paid by finding top talent and matching those people to jobs they’re suited for. They often approach people out-of-the-blue by finding their LinkedIn profile. It’s a numbers game for them so they don’t have time to waste. If your Core Four are not A+ material, you’re not getting those calls, which means fewer job prospects, fewer chances to advance, and less professional notoriety.
Reason #3: It Could Cost You a Job. When I’m trying to decide which candidates to bring in for an interview, or who to hire, I will usually check out their LinkedIn profile, regardless of whether or not they applied to the job through LinkedIn or even shared their LinkedIn URL on their resume. If they don’t present well in the first 2 seconds, those are serious negative points. Taking care of your LinkedIn Core Four shows me that you’ve got great attention to detail and you’re proud of your professional brand. Both great indicators of a high performer.
Okay, okay, I’m in! How do I maximize my LinkedIn Core Four and Make a Great First Impression?
Luckily for you, I’ve got a video course that you can check out, FOR FREE that will teach you how to optimize your Core Four for your specific industry and the jobs you want as well.
Just click on the button below and sign up for a Free 2-month Trial of Skillshare for access to the course instantly!