Four Strategies for Using Linkedin in your Job Search
I will share with you four strategies to maximize the power of Linkedin to help your job search.
- Creating a Job Search Profile
- Getting recommendations
- Expanding your network of contact
- Using Linkedin Power tools
1. Creating a Job Search Profile
I am assuming you are already on Linkedin. When you first created your Linkedin Profile, you probable followed the normal process for completed each of the items on the Profile. I am going to ask you to rewrite your Profile. Think of your Profile as the online document to sell yourself to others. It is your online resume. You will rewrite your Profile as Job Searching Profile.
Before we start on the individual items on the Linkedin Profile, let’s review the overall tone and approach you want to bring to remaking your current profile into a Job Searching Profile. Let these serve as guidelines for reworking your Profile.
1. Devote time. Devote the necessary time to rewriting your Profile. The Profile is your most important item on your Linkedin page. It’s what people first use to learn about you. As you complete a rewriting of your Profile, have someone you trust and respect to not only proof read your new Profile but also to give you suggestions on ways to improve the quality of your re-write. Having several people review is even better.
2. Tailoring your Profile. When I was in the job hunting process, I always tried to tailor my resume to fit the company and the position I was interviewing with. As your online resume, make sure your Profile is tailored to the position and the type of job you are seeking. Think of who will be reading your Profile. What do they want to learn about you?
3. Positive. Make your Profile positive. There is no place in this Job Searching Profile for negative or limiting statements such as low grades or why you left your last employment.
4. Easy to read. Make your Profile, crisp, simple and clear about the points you want to make. People don’t take the time to read everything online. Anticipate you have a limited time and space to make your point with an audience that is busy.
5. Your own voice. Put your Job Searching Profile in your own voice. Most resumes and Profiles are dull and boring, written in some form of corporate language. Express yourself. People hire people not resumes. No where does it say that your Profile must be boring!
6. Key words. Use the key words you have identified from your key word search. Remember, everything starts with keywords. See my post on key words http://tinyurl.com/cj5kjg.
Use these six guidelines as you make your Profile into a Job Searching document.
To be continued, your comments are welcomed…
Al Hanzal
