How LinkedIn Can Help you Find a Job

With a network boasting more than 200 million members, LinkedIn is the foremost online platform to network and make new work-related connections.  As more and more recruiters and hiring managers use LinkedIn as a tool in their search for job candidates, it has never been more essential for job candidates to present a strong profile that highlights their skills.  If it has been a while since you’ve updated your LinkedIn profile, take some time to polish it a bit before you start your job search.  Here are some of the best ways to make your LinkedIn profile more effective:

Draft a Concise Career Summary

Write a brief yet detailed story pertaining to your career including quantifiable accomplishments that allow your skills to shine.  Based on the type of position you are looking for, use phrases and keywords that relate to it, and aim for between 100 to 300 words. 

Share Your Experience

Rather than simply listing your current job, take the opportunity to share about your previous job experiences that have helped shape your career.  While you don’t need to list every job you’ve ever held, this is basically an unofficial online résumé, so make sure that what you do include is relevant. 

Update Your Skills

The “Skills & Expertise” section is a quick way for potential employers to scan what you are capable of, making it a really important part of your profile.  Be sure you add anything related to your current and previous work experience.  Your connections will then be able to endorse the skills that you list. 

 

Gather Some Recommendations

Although they might seem unnecessary, recruiters actually do take the time to read recommendations.  Furthermore, they will appear not only on your profile page, but on the profile pages of the people who compose your recommendations.  That means their recommendation of you can then be viewed by all of the connections they have as well, making you visible to a far wider network of people.  Make sure you ask for recommendations that mention your specific achievements and skills.  

Make Connections

This is by far the most crucial aspect of networking, as your connections can make introductions to the connections they have on your behalf.  While there are differing opinions regarding how many people one should be connected with, a good rule of thumb is to consider whether you personally know them and whether or not they can add anything to your professional network.  If you would feel comfortable asking that person for an introduction and if you would happily return the favor, by all means, connect! 

Customize Your URL

When your URL (uniform resource locator) is customized, it will be driven near the top when someone searches for your name on Google, automatically making you far more visible.  Although it may take some creativity if your name is common, finding a way to work in your name is absolutely worth it.  You can make changes by clicking on “Public profile settings”.

Take advantage of the immense network on LinkedIn, which has proven to be an invaluable tool for millions of people in search of a job.