Completeness Is Key

One-hundred-and-twenty characters. That's what LinkedIn allows its users for their "headline" — a short, descriptive professional statement — though many use less than half that, listing only their titles. "You can write up to 120 characters so instead of just listing your job title alone, consider crafting a statement that explains what you do and what sets you apart from others who do the same," writes Rachel Bowden at the Nature Careers blog. Reporting advice Joshua Waldman shared at the American Chemical Society's virtual career fair this week, Bowden says an enhanced headline is but one way to improve job seekers' LinkedIn profiles.

"If you are currently unemployed, also explain what kind of job you are looking for in your summary and incorporate a call to action to encourage potential employers to get in touch," she writes. A complete profile, Bowden adds, should address three key points: who you are, what you do, and why you are the best. In addition, profiles considered complete by LinkedIn's standards show up first in search results, she says.