HOW TO GET A JOB USING LINKEDIN
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform. With over 600 million users, including 40 million in decision-making positions, it’s the best place to start your job hunt.
This social media site has plenty of opportunities to show off your skills, experience, and talents to companies, recruiters, and potential employers. It also gives you the chance to connect with others, network, and maximize your chances of landing your dream job.
Do you want to know how to use LinkedIn effectively in your job search? If you’re new to LinkedIn or trying to make your profile more appealing, you’re in the right place. Here are our top tips for how to get an amazing job using LinkedIn.
1. Make sure your profile is complete
Firstly, when using LinkedIn, you need to ensure your profile is complete, up-to-date, and optimized for your job search. Your profile should always include:
- A professional photo – ideally a headshot
- A killer headline that stands out
- A summary – be sure to make the most of this space!
- Your job title so your profile is searchable
- Any projects, volunteering experience, or languages
- Your career interests
Remember, your profile should emphasize your skills and highlight your experience and accomplishments. You should treat it like your online resume or portfolio. This means putting some time into it to make sure it stands out!
To ensure your profile is discoverable, use as many searchable terms as you can. But, ensure that the content still sounds natural – and avoid buzzwords at all costs!
Lastly, make sure all the details on your profile are fully up-to-date. Include all the relevant information employers will be interested in, such as your employment history, education, and your current position and employer.
2. Look for job postings
Once your profile is complete, the next step is to start searching for job opportunities. One way to do this is by switching on the “job alerts” feature, or by using “advanced search” to look for new job opportunities by keywords, job type, or other job particulars.
Or, you can try searching for specific companies you’re interested in working for to see if they are hiring at the moment. To do this, you can use the “search” feature on your LinkedIn homepage. Simply search for companies you’re interested in and hit “follow”.
After doing this, you will be notified of new positions. You will also get updates on recent company news, like changes or promotions. You can also research similar companies that might be of interest. Follow any businesses that may have positions that are suitable.
3. Get in touch with recruiters
One of the great things about using LinkedIn for job hunting is that there are loads of recruiters on the platform. Headhunters and hiring managers use the platform to look for top talent and people that would be an ideal fit for different types of roles.
Instead of waiting for them to find you, why not get in touch with them first? You can use the “Advanced People Search” tool to find recruiters that are hiring in your industry. Then, send them a quick message to let them know that you’re available for any job openings.
4. Grow and nurture your network
To get the most out of LinkedIn, it’s important to build a strong network. This is absolutely crucial for job hunters, as it gives you more opportunities to make the most of the platform, like getting recommendations, endorsements, accessing helpful career-related posts, and more.
You should try and aim for at least 50 connections – but avoid adding people you don’t know. Start by adding your existing contacts, such as friends, family, classmates, current and former colleagues, clients or customers, managers, and business acquaintances.
If you decide that you are going to add people you don’t know, remember to focus on building quality relationships with them by getting to know them. Rather than just adding people for the sake of it, be sociable and concentrate on networking.
5. Interact with others and build relationships
After growing your connections on LinkedIn, you need to interact with others. Try and use the website regularly, and spend time networking so you can work on your business relationships. Update regularly, especially if you’re looking for a job.
Being proactive will help improve your chances of getting a job. So, make sure you like, comment, and share others’ posts, and post on your LinkedIn feed. You can even post that you’re looking for a job on your status – someone in your network might be able to help!
Lastly, why not try out LinkedIn professional groups? You can search for relevant groups to join, then start talking to other members. This is an awesome way to build your connections, and it can be great to get tips and advice from others in a similar position. Want to know more about how to use LinkedIn to your advantage? If you’re planning to use LinkedIn for your job search and want more information on how to do this, check out our online course, “How to Create an Amazing LinkedIn Profile”.
