One of the main benefits of public recommendations is that they lend credence to a job seeker’s work history, skills, and abilities.

Your LinkedIn profile choices make it difficult for many job seekers to be found in searches.

That is because they need to strategically use LinkedIn's auto-complete and drop-down options to complete sections of their profiles.

The About section on LinkedIn is an area to tell your unique story….to make you stand out from the crowd.

However, few people take advantage of those 2,600 characters to let the reader know why they do what they do and how they make an impact.

LinkedIn introduces hundreds of features each year, many specifically for job seekers. Yet most job seekers are unaware of those that could be helpful in their job searches.

Your LinkedIn profile lets you show the world who you are. Don't waste this free chance to make a great first impression! Customize your profile so it really speaks to the kind of jobs or people you want to connect with. An optimized LinkedIn profile can help you make new friends, find new opportunities, and grow your career.

If you can establish yourself as an interesting, thoughtful person that embraces modern communication methods, you can help overcome the stigma of being over a certain age and out of touch. Use the tools you have readily available, and see if it doesn’t make a difference.

If you're feeling frustrated with your LinkedIn feed, don't despair! You can take several steps to improve your feed's relevance and value. By following my tips, you can create a more personalized and engaging experience on LinkedIn.

A well-written and exciting LinkedIn profile may result in getting contacted for roles of interest by a recruiter, a hiring manager wanting to bring you in for an interview, or a connection letting you know about an opportunity that is right for you. Wouldn’t you like that?

Be strategic when it comes to LinkedIn. Understanding how to use LinkedIn to your benefit can have a big payoff. According to Richard van der Blom, having a strong profile can result in 30-40% more reach and a higher ranking in search results. Who wouldn’t want that?