Why Contractors Need a LinkedIn Profile

The world of recruitment is changing, and a great CV alone is often not enough to secure good  contractor jobs.

Employers and Recruitment Agencies are increasingly turning to social media to find the best talent. 

Indeed, a 2015 Jobvite study found that around half of UK employers are currently using social networks to assess candidates, with a third saying they are going to be investing more into social media recruitment over the coming years.

Of the prominent social networks, LinkedIn ranks above Facebook and Twitter when it comes to recruitment. This is why contractors need a LinkedIn profile.

Designed for business professionals, LinkedIn is a great way for contractors to connect with potential clients. By building an extensive network of clients, both old and prospective, a contractor can see when new opportunities become available and immediately put him or herself forward for the role.

Furthermore, it is an excellent place for a contractor to showcase their skills and experience, effectively acting as an accessible and interactive online CV.

But that’s not all – when done right, a LinkedIn profile can help prospective clients and recruiters find a contractor with the relevant skills for a vacancy they are trying to fill. It is not enough just to have a small presence on Linkedin with an incomplete profile, a full profile is essential if you want to be found quickly and contacted by recruiters.

Building a LinkedIn Profile

The first and most obvious thing to note when building a contractor LinkedIn profile is to take care to make sure it looks professional. Just like a CV, be extra careful in ensuring there are no spelling or grammar mistakes, while the photograph selected to accompany the profile should be suitable and professional.

As a contractor, you should also take time to add as much detail as they can to your profile. Do not simply list previous jobs or qualifications, add extra information about what exactly each of these involved. That way a potential client can gain a better understanding of your skills and experience.

Keywords are also absolutely crucial. LinkedIn works by employers searching for keywords, so contractors must make sure popular search terms within their field are included within the headlines, summaries, tags and any other bits of text on their profile.

You should also use LinkedIn to boast about work you have done – explain to prospective clients what you have achieved and how. Where possible, also use links so they can see examples of your work. 

Ask for recommendations whenever you can as this really helps boost your profile.

Keep Active

Like any social network, the more you put into it, the more you get out. As such, contractors should not create a LinkedIn profile then sit back and assume the job is done; they must remain active.

Regularly updating your profile with new skills and experience, constantly connecting with fellow professionals you meet or work with, and interacting within LinkedIn groups are all tactics that will enhance a contractor’s profile and give it the best possible chance of being found by potential clients.

Other features – such as endorsements or liking people’s updates – allow contractors to build and maintain relationships within their network of contacts.  Getting recommendations from past clients is extremely beneficial as well; so don’t be scared to ask for them upon the completion of a contractor job.

Expert Help 

If you would like assistance with creating or reworking your contractor LinkedIn Profile, we can help.

A full analysis of your current profile and suggestions to improve costs just £29.00 plus vat.

Analysis including profile changes carried out by us, or creatiion of a new profile costs £42.00 plus vat.

If you would like to use this service, please contact us on 01728 726515 or email us on help@onlycontractjobs.com