How to Build a Strong LinkedIn Profile for the Canadian Job Market

In this digitally society that we live in, LinkedIn is fast becoming one of the most important resources for job searchers and owning a clean and optimized LinkedIn profile may be crucial for professional advancement and getting into the Canadian employment market. Now, LinkedIn is much more than just an online CV – it’s a professional identity and presence which transcends borders.

In this blog we will cover some of the fundamentals of creating a LinkedIn profile that appeals to Canadian recruiters and employers. From keyword utilization and profile optimization to specifically tailored Canadian job market professional networking techniques.

Your LinkedIn profile is important in Canada, but why?

Recruiters in Canada and around the world utilize LinkedIn as one of the best places to find candidates. In fact, over 87% of recruiters judge prospects on LinkedIn throughout the employment process. This means if you are a job seeking candidate, your profile will often be your first chance to make a good impression.

In Canada — with technology, healthcare, and other booming sectors — LinkedIn has become an important resource for job searchers and employers. Finally, your profile should not just be functioning as a job listing, it should be the story of your professional journey, your strengths and future possibilities.

Creating a strong and winning LinkedIn profile in the Canadian job market is not hard. Here’s how:

1. Begin with a Professional Profile Photo

We all know that first impression counts, and the employer will know that before they start reading anything on your profile by catching your profile photo. LinkedIn notes that having a photo on your profile will earn you 36 times more messages and 21 times more profile views.

Tips for a Great LinkedIn Photo:

a. Present Yourself Professionally: Select clothes that complement the type of field for which you want to work. There will be business roles that will require you to wear formal attire. Business casual will work for creative or tech company.

b. Make Use of Proper Lighting: Natural light is ideal. Make sure your background is clean and clear so you don’t look like a potato from below when it is photographed.

c. Look Approachable: Showing your smile can really set the right tone of approachability and confidence. You’re trying to be someone others want to work with.

2. Craft an Appealing Headline

Your Headline is one of the most important parts of your LinkedIn profile. It also opens up opportunities to articulate your ability, value proposition and career goals, beyond your job title. This headline will be among the first things recruiters will see if they search for a candidate.

Tips for Writing an Appealing LinkedIn Headline:

a. Think Beyond Your Job Title: Terms that show your strengths can add flavor in informing everyone about your job aspirations. For instance, your title could be titled as Digital Marketing Specialist | Content Creator | SEO Enthusiast.

b. Customize It for the Canadian Job Market: If you are aiming to apply for roles within a definite Canadian industry, make sure to use keywords that would be related to that industry. For example, it is possible that a Data Analyst | Business Intelligence guy from Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal could get excited that his resume says 'Good in Tableau & Power BI'.

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3. Write an Engaging and Keyword-Rich Summary

Your LinkedIn summary, now called the About section, can be used to tell your professional journey. It’s your own brand’s elevator pitch. Then write a short summary of who you are, where you've been, where you are now and where you're going.

What to Include in Your LinkedIn Summary:

a. Show Your Passion: Employers like to see your Passion. Write about your professional motivations as well as your goals in your professional life.

b. Highlight Key Skills: Use keywords specific to your industry, and keywords that apply to work in Canada. Doing this increases your visibility to recruiters and they can find you when they search for these keywords.

c. Be Concise and Clear: Keep a professional yet personal voice. While it’s okay to avoid using language that’s too technical, make sure you use keywords which are relevant to the jobs you are trying to target.

As an example of a marketing professional’s summary, would be “Over four years of experience in social media management, SEO and content creation.” "I am a result driven digital marketing professional." I use data driven strategies to drive online reach to companies. I’m familiar with content management systems, sponsored search campaigns, and Google Analytics, and always looking for new skills to update them since digital marketing is a lucrative area. Because of this, I am now ready to join a creative team, and to that end, I’m looking for new digital marketing positions in Canada.

4. Achievements Optimize your Experience Section

Merely listing out what you did for previous work experience in the experience section is not enough. Remind to emphasize your accomplishments, define your achievements and demonstrate your impact of previous duties. In order to make text easier to read, bullet points are a great way to do that.

Key Points for Writing Your Experience Section:

a. Quantify Outcomes: Have the data to back up how you’re making an impact on the business or the audience. Such as, increasing web traffic by 30% within 6 months just by focused SEO campaigns.

b. Concentrate on Your Success: So instead of just making that to do list, focus on the things you completed. Instead say "Developed and executed a social media strategy which increased engagement by 40%"

c. Tailor It to the Canadian Market: Highlight experience which would be of use in a Canadian profession or sector. If possible, mention also any work you've done with Canadian clients or businesses.

5. Showcase Your Skills and Get Endorsements

You can place up to 50 skills on your LinkedIn profile. Be choosy and focus on the skills that are most likely to be required of those jobs that you are considering. Canadian Businesses requires the skills of "Project Management, Data Analysis and Customer Relations Management".

How to Make the Most of LinkedIn Skills:

a. Prioritize Key Skills: Skills are ranked in LinkedIn based on relevance by the algorithm. Make sure that at the top are your talents that are the most relevant for the position you want to have.

b. Get Endorsements: Ask coworkers or students from a past job if they will attest to your abilities. Endorsements will boost a profile’s search rank in recruiters' searches.

6. Request Recommendations

Recommendations in LinkedIn from former managers, clients or colleagues add to your credibility. These recommendations are the social proof, and they can give perspective employers a glimpse into your working style.

How to Request Recommendations:

a. Personalize Your Request: Try to send kind messages to your connections asking whether they would be willing to write you a recommendation. Either role or project, mention if you both worked on rapport.

b. Focus on Key Skills: Ask them to show accomplishments or skills that fit for the type of job you’re searching for in Canada.

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7. How to Build Your Network in Canada Using LinkedIn

LinkedIn is not a place to just put up a static profile it’s a tool for putting yourself out on the Web and actually talking to people who share your interests. Networking is often an important part of the job search in Canada in such cases as when a person is new to the country or is looking to transition his or her career to a new area. By being an active member on LinkedIn, you can expand your network and have greater chances to be recognized by employers.

Networking Tips for LinkedIn:

a. Connect with Industry Professionals: If you are aware of some one within your business, send them a custom connection request. Tell them a little bit about you, and why would you like to connect with them.

b. Engage with Content: You can also write comments on posts, share articles or even create your own unique content on LinkedIn.

c. Join LinkedIn Groups: In Canada, there are a number of industry specific groups on LinkedIn that professional get together to exchange opportunities and information. Join discussion and groups that are important to you in order to grow your network.

8. How to Customize Your Profile for Job Opportunities in Canada

Finally, make your LinkedIn account compatible with requirements for the employment market in Canada. Canadian employers highly value transparency, practical skills and collaboration. Describe why your background matches with Canadian work culture and expectations.

Additional Tips for Canadian Job Seekers:

a. Mention Your Eligibility to Work in Canada: If you are international candidate, confirm that you do have work permit or PR so your current status will not confuse.

b. Research Canadian Job Descriptions: Then type in keywords to those positions you want to apply for, also add this to your profile.

Final Thoughts

In the modern, competitive job market, there is one inherent truth that never seems to change: you need to have a well written LinkedIn profile. Increasing your chances of getting interviews and expanding your network is using the right keywords, interesting content and strategic networking.

Students and graduates from New Brunswick College of Business & Technology can visit our Career Services for more specific help when it comes to your career, from updating your LinkedIn profile to landing your dream job.

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