Using LinkedIn to Find A Job
Believe it or not, social media can be a great avenue for finding job postings and connecting with people in your career field. Younger generations might be more used to using social media than older generations, but learning how to use it for finding a job is a unique and valuable skill. I’ll detail a few techniques you can use to get you started on your job search.
Update Your Profile
If you’re not on LinkedIn, sign up. If you are, check your profile and make sure your picture is professional, your work experience is up-to-date, and your headline is specific. Your headline is one of the only things recruiters can see when they do an initial search on LinkedIn, so making your headline “pop” is essential. Be sure to state your objective, if you have one. For instance “Piano teacher for kids” is not nearly as strong as “Experienced piano teacher who loves to foster children’s’ musicality.”
Additionally, make sure your profile indicates all of your relevant work experience and the length of each job, as well as any hard skills you’ve developed. These three things are what most recruiters look for once they click on a profile.
Like, Follow, and Comment
Once your profile is good-to-go, start to follow your favorite companies, especially ones you’d like to work at. Then interact with their content. Comment on their posts. Keep up-to-date with company news. You never know when that information will prove useful, especially if you score an interview.
Connect and Network
One of the best features of LinkedIn is the ability to connect with people within your industry. You’ll notice the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd-degree badges on each profile. This indicates how close a connection you have to the profile you’re viewing. The more people you connect with, the more people can see your profile. So, import your contacts, join LinkedIn Professional Groups related to your industry, join a university alumni group, and start making connections.
Once you’ve joined relevant groups, be active within them. Like, comment, and post. Foster connections you make, especially with people who work for a company you’re interested in. Ask them to make an introduction if you know the company is hiring. Let people know you’re looking for a job.
These steps might seem overwhelming, but even taking one step at a time is still progress. With a little time and energy, you’ll reap the benefits of LinkedIn.
If you find yourself wondering where to begin, or really want to learn how to use LinkedIn to your full advantage, take a look at our Resume & LinkedIn Program. You’ll be matched with a professional career coach who knows exactly how to position your LinkedIn profile so it’s noticed by the right audience. If you have any questions about the program, or anything else career-related, contact Us or call 800.680.7768. We look forward to hearing from you.