LinkedIn’s professional network enables both active job seekers and passive candidates to promote their abilities to an audience of international recruiters and companies. You can also connect with past and present colleagues to increase your network and optimise your chances of being hired through referrals. Executives from the world’s top companies are on LinkedIn which gives members an opportunity-rich environment. This article will give you some tips to help you make the most out of LinkedIn as a job seeker.
1. Build Your Network
Having a strong network is crucial as it represents those who know and trust you. In addition, you can utilise your network for recommendations and ask for introductions into a job or opportunity that you are interested in. By connecting with at least 50 trusted contacts – co-workers, clients, classmates, lecturers – you will increase your chances of getting in touch with people and companies that will help you to get ahead in your job hunt.
2. Make Sure Your Profile Complete & Up To Date
Your LinkedIn profile is your opportunity to showcase your talents and skills and help the right people and opportunities find their way to you. It is your professional representation online and you can set it up to be discoverable through the millions of searches on leading search engines and on LinkedIn. Members with at least one previous position listed on their profile are 12 times more likely to be discovered and viewed for potential opportunities through LinkedIn. People with at least one education listed are seven times more likely to be viewed on LinkedIn. Therefore, it is essential to make sure your profile is complete and up to date.
3. Ask for LinkedIn Recommendations
A strong recommendation from the people who have worked with you highlights your strengths and shows that you were valued as an employee. You can reach out to your past managers and co-workers to get recommendations from them. Endorsements are an excellent way to reinforce the skill sets you have.
4. Get the Word Out There
Tell your network that you are searching for a job. Use your LinkedIn status update to let those in your network know that you are on the hunt for a new position.
5. Use LinkedIn To Check Whether a Company is Hiring
LinkedIn Company pages allow you to follow companies that you are interested in. When you follow them on LinkedIn, you will get updates on new hires, promotions/changes at the company and also, job opportunities. You should follow the companies you would love to work for and keep an eye on their announcements/updates.
6. Transform Your Profile into a Portfolio
Rather than using generic words to describe your skills, upload examples of your work. For recruiters, this is an excellent way for them to visually see your word and it is a great way to stand out.