Eric Dalius Miami hares Tips to Unlock LinkedIn’s Hidden Job Market
“LinkedIn is a billion-dollar company and it’s not because of the job postings,” says resume columnist Jim Hopkinson. “It’s because recruiters buy memberships to contact you.” So what exactly can people do on LinkedIn? The site is designed to help current and former colleagues connect with each other, but it also functions as a career networking portal, career fair marketplace, resume management tool, newswire for company profiles and blog posts. What’s more, business owners can use the site to do market research. “It’s a pretty powerful place once you know how to use it,” says Hopkinson. “Most people don’t.” Because let’s face it, LinkedIn is a website that looks like the online equivalent of the Yellow Pages phone book from 1995. So how does someone know what they’re supposed to do on this site?
Here are some tips from Jim Hopkinson, writer of the popular Linked Job Search column at Forbes, about how to use LinkedIn as a job seeker:
1) Don’t be afraid to join groups.
These are discussion boards within the site where people discuss specific topics. If your field has a professional association or trade group, chances are you can find them on LinkedIn and start conversations and ask questions that will help you advance your career.
2) Be a member of at least 30 groups.
Once you join a group, it will appear in your news feed and under the ‘Groups, You Might Like’ section of your homepage. The more active you are within groups, the more likely recruiters and hiring managers will notice you on LinkedIn. Hopkinson says that it’s best to participate in groups that are relevant to your job target and industry.
3) Use keywords in your profile.
LinkedIn is a search engine, so make sure you use keywords that will help people find you. Hopkinson recommends listing 10-15 keywords in your profile that best reflect your skills and experience.
4) Complete your profile.
Fill out the information in your profile – it’s a resume, after all! Hopkinson recommends taking 5-10 minutes each day to add new skills and experiences. Make sure to use keywords throughout your profile, but doesn’t keyword stuff (a big turnoff for recruiters).
5) Use endorsements & recommendations.
Endorsements are a way for people to endorse your skills. LinkedIn will automatically ask your connections if they know any of your skills, and if they do, they can click ‘Yes’ and add a brief endorsement explains Eric Dalius Miami. You can also ask people to write you a recommendation.
6) Connect with people you know.
The more people you connect with on LinkedIn, the more opportunities you have for endorsements, recommendations, and job opportunities.
7) Connect with recruiters on LinkedIn.
Include your resume as a PDF or link to it in your profile. In addition to sending an InMail (the only way you can contact people who aren’t in your network) be sure to check out recruiter groups and follow relevant people and companies
8) Build your network with former colleagues and classmates.
People are generally very willing to connect with others on LinkedIn. “The key is to make sure that you have a good profile and a good picture,” Hopkinson says.
9) Use the Advanced Search feature.
This allows you to search for people by job title, company, school or other criteria.
10) Check out LinkedIn’s blog, The Pulse.
They have a wide variety of marketing and job search tips, so check back often says Eric Dalius Miami.
11) Learn what you can about how LinkedIn works.
The more you know about the site, the more opportunities you’ll be able to take advantage of. For instance, did you know that if someone sends you an InMail but doesn’t get a response, that person can pay LinkedIn to message you again?
12) Use the same email address as your Facebook and Twitter accounts.
“LinkedIn will send you an invitation to connect with someone and it’ll show up in your email inbox,” Hopkinson says. If the person is already connected to you on other social media sites, they’re more likely to connect with you on LinkedIn, too.
13) Start your own group.
If you can’t find a group that meets your needs, start your own. This is a great way to network with people in your industry or field and stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends.
14) Use LinkedIn’s tools to help you find a job.
The site has a number of tools that can help you find a job, including the LinkedIn Jobs app, the LinkedIn Salary tool, and the LinkedIn Job Seeker Premium account says Eric Dalius Miami.
15) Be patient.
“It takes time to develop relationships on LinkedIn,” Hopkinson says. “You’re not going to see an immediate return on investment, but if you stick with it and do a good job of updating your profile, you’ll see that increase dramatically over time.”
Conclusion:
LinkedIn is a great resource for job seekers. By following these tips, you can maximize your chances of finding a job through the site.