Using LinkedIn to Get Ahead
LinkedIn is the largest social network for businesses in use today. It is the leading online site to search and apply for jobs. If you haven’t already joined LinkedIn, do so now.
Creating a Compelling LinkedIn Profile
Your LinkedIn profile is one of the most important tools you can create to network online. In many cases, your profile will be one of the first ways potential employers will get to know you. Your profile is representative of your professional brand, how you market yourself to potential employers or clients. Making an excellent first impression is imperative. This goes beyond making sure you don’t have any spelling mistakes!
Pro TipPro Tip
Turn off edit alerts before going crazy with your profile edits! You don’t want to drive your network crazy with notifications every time you make a change, especially if you are going to do a thorough and complete makeover.
Review and edit your LinkedIn account following the advice in these resources:
Ten Things Recruiters Look For in your Linked In Profile How To Use LinkedIn: 5 Smart Steps To Career Success Pro TipPro Tip
Make your personal summary interesting and your headline catchy! People like to read stories, (yes, even recruiters!), so writing your summary like you are telling a story about yourself will make it much more likely they will read until the end . . . and then keep going. This is your chance to go beyond what is evident in your resume and build your personal brand.
Using LinkedIn Effectively
Once you feel your profile is a good portrait of yourself for now, you should use LinkedIn to network and job hunt. The power of LinkedIn is in its ability to help you grow your network, display more of yourself and your interests, and make yourself available so you can be found by recruiters.
Pro TipPro Tip
Work your connections. Did you find a job at a company you are interested in? Look to see if anyone in your network works there and reach out to ask for an informational interview.
Pro TipPro Tip
Send requests between 9 and 10 a.m. on weekdays. According to LinkedIn, sending a message at this time is 16 percent more effective than sending at other times in the week!