So, you’re trying to find a new job on LinkedIn, but you’re not sure what you’re doing wrong? On your first pass, you may have seen a lot of people using the search box at the top of their profile. What you’re looking for is a profile that’s designed to look great when viewed on LinkedIn’s mobile app. If you’re not using LinkedIn’s app, you’re missing out on one of the most efficient ways to locate, review and apply for the right positions.
LinkedIn is the social network of choice when it comes to finding a job. But how do you use it, and what kind of information can you glean from it? In this article, we shall walk through the different ways to use LinkedIn to help you land a job.
What is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, is a place to establish and cultivate business relationships. If you are a graduate looking for an internship, it is the place to look for potential employers. If you are a hiring manager, it is the place to look for the perfect candidate. LinkedIn is useful to anyone wanting to find a job or company, but there are a few things you can do to make it work for you.
Why should you use LinkedIn for your job search?
If you’ve been in the job market or have been searching for a new career, LinkedIn is a must-have tool. This online networking site is a great way to network with people, both potential hiring managers, and potential employees. The job hunter can ask questions, post their resume and qualifications, be discovered, and in turn make connections with potential career opportunities.
LinkedIn is different than other job boards, and it’s actually a really powerful tool for finding a job. Most job boards are designed to help you find a job, while LinkedIn has been designed to help recruiters find candidates. LinkedIn is a great place to connect with different professionals, and to learn more about the job market as well. It’s even better if you use LinkedIn to do some research about the companies that you want to work for.
Ways to use LinkedIn to get a job
Do you have your LinkedIn profile up to date? You might be surprised to learn that you’re at an advantage to your fellow LinkedIn members who are not. There is a direct correlation between LinkedIn’s newsfeed and who gets viewed. The more you update your profile, the more people will “notice” you.
Keep your profile up to date. Your LinkedIn profile largely represents who you are as a person, so it’s important to make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile are one and the same. If you have a blog or website of your own, putting your skills into the prospective employers’ hands is a great way to get noticed by recruiters. You can accomplish this by keeping your profile updated and by uploading an updated resume to LinkedIn. If you require help with this, you can consult ARC Resumes or a similar company. In any case, keep in mind that your profile is the first thing employers see, so make it as impressive as you can.
Be comprehensive about current skills and objectives. The professional world is changing faster than ever, and the professional tools that help people succeed are constantly changing as well. That’s why we can’t stress enough on the importance of staying on top of your LinkedIn game. The professional social network is a great place to connect with different people working in your field. It allows you to quickly find individuals with the same interests and find new connections who can help you grow your career.
Highlight recent experience. It can be difficult to get your foot in the door of a new company when you have no previous experience that’s relevant to their industry. But you can use LinkedIn to help you get noticed.
Follow up after applying for a job. When looking for a job opportunity on LinkedIn, don’t just leave it at applied. Once you have applied, send a personal message to the company’s recruitment head or manager highlighting your interest in the job as well as your skills. You can also follow it up with a digital copy of your resume and cover letter. If needed, you could consider getting some help with resume and cover letter writing (check out this link here for cover letter templates and ideas) to present yourself better. This can really help you land a job quickly because instead of getting lost in the sea of multiple applicants, you will catch the direct attention of the recruiter.
Update your headline. When people search for jobs on LinkedIn, the photo and headline (which are listed below the photo) are the only items that appear when a job seeker’s name and photo are searched for. So how does one stand out from the crowd? Employers and job hunters alike need to consider what type of position they should be looking for, how their skills fit the role, and how they can promote themselves to prospective employers. Therefore, it is important that you carefully compose what you put in your headline.