Your LinkedIn profile is an integral part of any job search in Israel. According to CTech, 93% of Israeli organizations use social media for recruitment, with 87% reporting success. 80% say they were successful on LinkedIn, while 47% succeeded on Facebook.
Not only are recruiters looking for talent on LinkedIn, they are also checking out the LinkedIn profiles of candidates who apply for jobs, so it’s important that you maximize your profile with your job hunt in mind.
Make a good first impression
The first thing people see when they look at your LinkedIn profile is your headline and summary. These should succinctly state what you do and what makes you different from other similar professionals out there. Be sure to tailor your text to the industry you are in and use keywords that recruiters will likely be looking for. Since this first impression is so important, consider using AI tools like ChatGPT to polish your text and make it more eye-catching.
Don’t just list your work experience and skills
A list of jobs and what you did at each one is boring and uninformative. Instead, use the work experience section to highlight key accomplishments at each position you held in the past. Showcase the various skills that you have and demonstrate that you have brought value to each workplace. A skill should be described in a sentence or two, not in a short phrase, so it’s clear that you have really mastered this proficiency.
Beef up your recommendations
Your LinkedIn profile should include recommendations from former bosses, colleagues and clients. Send a message to people you know will have positive things to say, let them know you’re job hunting (that’s useful networking too) and ask for their recommendation. Not everyone will have time or know what to say, so don’t take it personally if someone isn’t responsive. Let them know what you would like emphasized in their recommendation (i.e. specific skills or personality traits) as that will make it easier for them to quickly write something up.
Engagement
Recruiters in Israel like to see an active LinkedIn account, not just a calling card. As part of your job search, connect to more people on the platform and post engaging industry-specific content. Join industry groups and interact there as well. If you’re not currently employed, you can make it clear that you are searching for work and let people know what types of jobs are a good fit. You never know when one of your connections will have an idea for you.
When you see a job post from a specific company, it’s a good idea to search your network on LinkedIn to see if you have any connections that work there. Message them that you are applying to work at their company and ask if they can put in a good word for you or pass your CV along with their recommendation. Israelis are givers and they enjoy helping others, so chances are that even if your connection is tenuous, they will be happy to help you out. If they don’t feel they know enough about you to recommend you, they will likely still be willing to give you tips about company culture, which can be helpful in the interviewing process.
Invest in LinkedIn even when you’re employed
It’s tempting to forget about networking when you’re gainfully employed, but you never know when you will want or need to move on. Plus, there are recruiters out there who will offer you opportunities when you’re not even looking, so best practice is to invest in LinkedIn on a regular basis. Keep your profile up-to-date, continue to add connections and post regularly on industry-specific topics.