5 Tips for Using LinkedIn for Your Job Search

5 Tips for Using LinkedIn for Your Job Search5 Tips for Using LinkedIn for Your Job Search14Did you know that 95 percent of recruiters and hiring managers are using LinkedIn to look for new candidates? LinkedIn is the job search social media power player. If you arent using it as the key part of your networking, you are missing out on potentially great opportunities. With over 300+ million professionals using this platform, you have that many people at your fingertips. Your LinkedIn profile can present your credentials to prospective employers and hiring managers, increasing your chance of securing an interview.Your LinkedIn profile should complement your resume, but it shouldnt duplicate it directly. To have a strong online presence, you must be clear about who you are, and who you are not. (An unfocused LinkedIn profile may be worse than no profile at all.) Your LinkedIn profile can also be mora comprehensive than your resume, since it offers you more room to showcase projects, pub lications, and experience. A successful LinkedIn profile gives readers a snapshot of who you are and how you can contribute to their organization. You must understand and be able to articulate and communicate what makes you exceptional and compelling.If you already have an existing profile but are wondering how to use it more, here are five simple tips for using LinkedIn for your job searchAccept connectionsWhen I first starting using LinkedIn about seven or eight years ago, I was very leery of putting anything on LinkedIn and wouldnt accept connections from anyone I didnt know. My first thought was, I dont know them Now that I know better, I say to clients, Excellent They might be the stepping stone to your next job The more connections you have, the wider your net. The purpose of LinkedIn is to network and connect- yes, even with people you dont know. LinkedIn does a pretty good job of keeping away spam, but use your discretion if someones profile doesnt feel right to you. With in creased connections comes increased visibility to your profile. Let LinkedIn help sell you to the reader.Join LinkedIn groupsLinkedIn groups will put your profile directly in front of the people who need to see it. It is a great way for you to engage with people like you. You can either quietly listen to discussions going on, or you can jump in and offer your expertise. You may even want to start a group of your own. You can be the moderator and can choose the topics you want to feature, and engage with members to form relationships.Make sure your skills are listedWhen creating your professional identity on LinkedIn, one of the key ways youll be found is by the skills you have listed. Are they consistent with what you do? Are they current? Relevant? Are all of them listed? Be as thorough as possible. Keep in mind that LinkedIn looks for keyword search terms relevant to each search. If your relevant skills are listed, your profile will be found.Use LIs built-in job search toolThe Job s tab at the top of your profile will help you start building your job search portfolio. It allows you to search for jobs by title, keywords, or company names. You can do an Advanced Search to target your industries and positions even further. Be sure to save your criteria to make it easier to stay on top of what youve already looked at.Ask for recommendationsDont be afraid to ask for recommendations from your connections. Having recommendations adds to your credibility and shows off your expertise at the saatkorn time. Its best to do it in the heat of the moment versus waiting, stalling, and thinking about it. If you know someone who will give you a good recommendation, ask They will be happy to do it.BONUS TIP Whos Viewed Your LinkedIn Profile?Just this week, LinkedIn launched a new addition to this feature. Not only will you see who has viewed your profile, you can also see the actions you took that led to an increase in activity or engagement, including things like making change s to your profile, joining a group, endorsing a connection, etc. Armed with this type of information, you will know how you are being found, which can lead to more opportunities for you.The benefits of having a LinkedIn profile are endless. Every few months it changes things around, improves a function, or makes tweaks that will help you find your next new job. Stick with it, follow these tips for using LinkedIn in your job search, and watch what happensReaders, how have you used LinkedIn to hilfe your job search? Share with us in the comment section belowErin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, BS/HR,is a certified professional resume writer/career consultant, andthe president ofProfessional Resume Services. She is anationallypublishedwriter and contributor of 14 best-sellingcareer books. She has achieved international recognition following yearly nominations of the prestigiousT.O.R.I. (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award. members receive a special discount on Professional Resume Services