Find A Job Using LinkedIn

By Martin Buckland - Executive Career Management Professional

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Not many people I speak with realize job boards only account for an average 3% of the total job market while 75%+ of jobs are found through online and in-person networking. LinkedIn is a prime resource to find a job and be found. Over 86% of Hiring Managers use LinkedIn to mine or pre-screen viable candidates.

Here are my tips for finding a job using LinkedIn.

Complete your profile: Target a 100% complete profile status to avoid being passed over for lucrative job opportunities.

Promote your brand: Does your headline attract attention? Communicate succinctly and powerfully your differentiator; what is so special about YOU? “Seeking a new position” is vague and unappealing compared to a compelling headline such as: “Actively pursuing my next exciting project management opportunity”. Be specific in marketing yourself and your career direction.

Unemployed? Be an active participant: A job search involves 4.5 to 5 hours/day on social media. Use LinkedIn to uncover leads at the companies or institutions you are aiming to join. Follow the companies you admire and where you want to work. Company Page’s are goldmines of information to generate names of key influencers, both current and former employees. Market yourself to both. Past employees generally have no allegiance to their previous employer, therefore will be more inclined to provide you with information on issues and problems which you may be able to rectify.

With only 9% of jobs advertised in Canada, the hidden job market is vast! Connecting with a person who can be your boss or your bosses boss is a vital ingredient in your job search. Don’t assume there is no vacancy.

Groups are also a vital resource and LinkedIn allows you to join 50 groups. Join groups pertinent to your career goals and functions. Upon joining, introduce yourself clearly stating your expertise and career direction. Be gutsy; ask for leads! Don’t be passive in your approach to utilizing this feature.

Post activity updates daily. Share relevant information, articles and opinions to command attention of your industry expertise.

Be available: If you are in career transition, be open to connecting providing there is value to both you and the person requesting the connection. LinkedIn is not for quantity; it’s quality! In my opinion, if you are serious about your job search, you should have a network of 500 or more quality connections. On your profile, clearly display an email address and phone number to allow a decision maker to swiftly connect with you. When sending a connection request, customize your invitation; do not use the default standard wording request which is very impersonal and unprofessional. Be specific in your connection request.

Look for jobs: Employers post genuine jobs on LinkedIn. You can drill down to specific job titles, sectors and geographic locations. Use the Advanced Search to uncover jobs by Company, Location, Function, Experience, Industry, and Salary. Sign up to receive email alerts as openings arise meeting your defined search criteria. The “Discover Jobs In Your Network” feature aligns jobs with connections, allowing you to utilize the power of referrals in your job hunt.

You can now see where the emphasis of your job search should be: LinkedIn. Are YOU using it to its’ full potential?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Martin Buckland, President of Elite Resumes, is a leading resume writer, career coach and job search strategist with a global clientele. Martin currently holds the following certifications: Certified Professional Branding Strategist, Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Employment Interview Professional, Job and Career Transition Coach, Certified Job Search Trainer and Co-Pilot Executive Coach. Visit my website at www.aneliteresume.com

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