Using LinkedIn to improve your job search
With over 500 million users worldwide - LinkedIn is the number one professional social platform and has become a superior website for job hunting. However, only 42% of users update their LinkedIn on a regular basis. LinkedIn is fast becoming a leading website for job advertisements with over 11 million active job listings. Much like many organisations, in the world of recruitment - 94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to vet candidates and may be put off by inactive or unprofessional profiles. The ongoing debate that LinkedIn is replacing the paper copy CV is more recently becoming true.
Follow these 8 simple steps below, to become a professional, approachable and stand out LinkedIn user:
1. Choose an appropriate photo
Adding a photo makes you 36 times more likely to receive a message via LinkedIn users and 21 times more likely to receive a profile view. Your LinkedIn photo should be up to date, with your face taking up 60% of the frame. Preferably, you should be in a professional location, wearing business attire and making sure you smile with your eyes!
2. Sell yourself in the headline/summary section
Much like the ‘profile’ section in your CV – This is your opportunity to sell yourself. Tell us about your industry, qualifications, personality, education and so on…it can be more than just a job title! If you are currently searching for a new role, it is beneficial to write “looking for opportunities” or “immediately available” (particularly with interim work) to signify your circumstance and make your profile approachable for recruiters and employers.
3. Grow your network
The average number of LinkedIn connections is 400 per user. You can sync your email address book to your LinkedIn profile – you will be surprised which relevant connections will surface for you to reach out to.
4. Customise your LinkedIn URL
Customising your URL will differentiate you from other users, boost your credibility and it has a professional aesthetic (much like business cards.)
5. Manage Endorsements Proactively
Managing this function will enable you to filter through unnecessary endorsements that skew the emphasis of your LinkedIn profile.
6. Describe your job role and education
Outline key responsibilities and achievements within each job you’ve had – this will give other users a better understanding of your job role and it will demonstrate what you are capable of. Check to make sure that your roles, dates and most importantly grades are consistent with your CV – any inconsistencies cause uncertainty.
7. Share the love with endorsements
Endorsements boost your credibility. If you give your connections endorsements it may encourage them to return the favour.
8. Share relevant content
It is one thing to have a network of connections on LinkedIn- it is far better to have an active role within that network, appearing in your connections LinkedIn feeds. To do this you can share content you find genuinely interesting and non-controversial / abusive.
Follow our social platforms for jobs, industry updates, tips, articles, videos, company news and to connect with our recruiters, to boost your job prospects even further!
To hear about our vacancies or for more information on how we can help your business fulfil its recruitment needs. Please visit www.chilworthpartnership.co.uk or call 02380 111 813.