9 Ways To Use Linkedin For Your Job Search

Source: Interexchange.org

In the last several years, LinkedIn has become an increasingly popular way to network with people in your industry. More and more employers are using LinkedIn as a recruitment and hiring tool, and students and professionals are also using it in their job searches.

Take a look at our section-by-section LinkedIn guide for tips on getting the most out of LinkedIn while avoiding some common mistakes.

How To Use Linkedin In Job Searching

1. Your Profile
If you’re new to LinkedIn, the first thing you’ll need to do to begin successfully connecting with others is create an account and build your online profile.

The LinkedIn profile is essentially your online “resume” and how you present yourself to the rest of the users on the site.
Create a clear, accurate profile.
Make sure you fill out every section.

Upload a photo (Make sure it is professional and appropriate!)
Include your profile in your email signature. This way people you are in contact with can see your LinkedIn profile and add you as a connection as you communicate with them.

2. Create a professional headline
This is extremely important! This is how you will appear in searches and the title that defines you before another user chooses to look further. Make sure it is accurate and specific since this is how people see you all over the site.

Make your profile privacy settings public. This means:
You will appear in searches more frequently.
You need to keep your profile appropriate, accurate, and updated since the world of LinkedIn can see it.

Detail your education and professional experience completely but concisely.
Make sure to include details about the positions you held, such as responsibilities and accomplishments, not just your job titles.
LinkedIn is a way to keep in touch on a professional basis, whereas Facebook is considered more personal and casual.

3. Groups
Join groups that are of professional interest to you so you can begin to see and connect with others with similar career fields.
These can be university alumni groups, clubs or associations, industry-specific groups, etc. Most importantly, join groups that will allow you to connect with people working in your field or industry

4. Companies
Many companies will create a “company page” on LinkedIn to represent themselves and build their online presence
The company page is similar to the brand or fan page on Facebook, where a company generates activity and discussions and shares updates.
You should follow companies at which you are interested in working so you can see updates about them. If you get an interview with one of these companies, you will have less research to do later since you will have learned all of this information already.

5. Recommendations
This feature is relatively new and a great way for your references to let other LinkedIn users know about you
Ask for recommendations or endorsements from colleagues, former professors or supervisors.
Give recommendations to others—what goes around, comes around! It will also display your name on those users’ profiles, making you more visible to potential connections.

6. Research
Use LinkedIn to find out information about people before you meet them or have an interview with them
This is important! If you know ahead of time who you will be meeting at a company, it’s good to gather some background information about them before you meet. 7. Network
LinkedIn is a networking tool—so don’t be afraid to use it as such
You can connect with people you don’t know and build a relationship. Reach out to people who may be able to assist you in your job search.

8. News & Updates
Stay on top of the news in your industry!

Monitor companies you are interested in to see what’s new with them or if they have posted any new positions.
Check your feed regularly
This will show you who has been promoted, changed jobs, etc., which means they may now be working for a company or in a field that interests you.
Reach out to connections with relevant news
You can share an industry-related article that you find interesting to let your connection know you thought of them or you can congratulate them on a promotion.

9. Jobs
The “Jobs” section of the site may seem like the most obvious place to find a job using LinkedIn, but it’s just as important to maintain a solid group of connections, join groups and stay up-to-date with companies’ news.
In order to search for a job, go to the Jobs page and perform a standard search

DON’T…
Use incorrect grammar or have spelling mistakes or typos
We cannot emphasize this enough. Nothing looks worse than this to a potential employer.
Have an inappropriate picture
Your profile picture should have you in it, and only you, wearing something appropriate. You can smile, but don’t overdo any expressions or poses. It should be simple and professional.
Post unprofessional content
LinkedIn is NOT the place to post any controversial articles or personal writings, such as blogs or photo albums. This is also true for any comments you make in groups.