We are not all meant to be entrepreneurs, some people are called to hold up Moses’s hand. If entrepreneurship is not your calling, and you need to find a job, then LinkedIn is one of the best platforms to use to secure that dream job. LinkedIn is arguably one of the most important platforms for every working-class individual, not to mention every job seeker. Most people have a LinkedIn account but how many use it the right way?
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When I joined LinkedIn, I was most interested in putting up very nice profile pictures of myself and I changed pictures four times a month. I was obviously missing out on every opportunity the platform could offer. But on the other hand, was a friend of mine who had just gotten her dream job through this same platform.
What was I doing wrong? While I was busy changing profile pictures, and waiting for my dream job to find me, she studied the platform and took advantage of all its opportunities. LinkedIn is definitely not about having an account but how you leverage it.
LinkedIn has a massive database – thousands of companies, recruiters and hiring managers posting jobs and sourcing for candidates.
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Steps To Land Your Dream Job On LinkedIn
1) Create An Account On LinkedIn
Well, one must get an account first. Sign up on LinkedIn knowing fully well of its opportunities, services and how you can leverage them. The signup page will pop up like a form for filling in your details. Use your actual names and not nicknames or pet names. An example is writing Orlando Johnson instead of O.J. Writing in shorthand only makes you look unserious.
2) Leave A Complete And Updated Profile On LinkedIn
Starting from your profile picture, it should be clear and appropriate for LinkedIn. Do not use a picture of yourself dancing in a social gathering or a picture of you holding an alcoholic drink. Give an extensive profile of yourself stating where you schooled, awards received while in school and positions held.
Tell us about your job experience, projects where you were a team lead or supervisor, personal projects and research you have carried out. If you have a certification, it should be listed. All these will help in getting you a strong profile and leaving recruiters impressed.
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3) Leave A Strong Headline
Imagine you are a recruiter looking for a sales professional. You come across two applicants and you decide to get on LinkedIn to have a better feel of them. On their profiles, one says “Experienced Sales Professional looking to positively impact a new organisation”; the other says “Professional DJ, hype man, rock star and sometimes sales professional.” As a recruiter, which are you likely to invite over for an interview?
A headline is what attracts people to view your profile. A good headline gives the right impression. It is also a contributing factor for you to be picked for a particular job. Your headline should be clear, informative and should give a brief description of who you are.
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4) Follow Your Target Company/Company Executives
You are a job seeker looking to get employment in, say, advertising. It is wise to connect with companies, individuals and industry leaders in that field. You do not need to make irrelevant connections unless they are mutual friends. Connect with companies, businesses and individuals that are in line with what you need. And always visit their page to know when an opportunity comes up.
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5) Try Reaching Out
Remember LinkedIn is also a networking platform and there is no harm in reaching out to recruiters to make your interest about joining a particular company known. It leaves a good impression.
Mistakes most job seekers make is that they neglect the importance of a follow-up message or keeping in touch with recruiters. You do not have to pop up only when you need something. Write an article, create interesting and relevant content and send to them, asking for opinions and thoughts. This is just a way of building and maintaining a relationship.
6) Reach Out Directly To Recruiters
You can try sending emails directly to recruiters as long as they have their emails included in their LinkedIn profiles. This only tells how proactive and far you are willing to go in securing a job and building a career. Also reach out to any of your connections who follows a particular CEO. Reaching out to such connection and asking for assistance isn’t a bad idea as long as they are willing to help.
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7) Become An Author
Write interesting articles concentrating on the field that interests you, post them on your wall and ask friends to share. Be consistent in doing this. In your own little way, you have created an impression in the LinkedIn community.
8) Visit The LinkedIn Job Section
LinkedIn has a section specifically for job seekers. Always visit this section and search for jobs by using your location, a keyword related to your field, the name of the desired company or a title. Visiting this section frequently helps you know in time when an opportunity arrives.
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9) Apply On Time
Always have it in mind that there are millions of people fighting for the same opportunity you are fighting for. Most job openings have a deadline, but what job seekers do not know is that recruiters stop checking applications when they hit a certain number. The only way for you to stand a chance is by applying on time.
10) Update Profile Regularly
Never forget to keep your profile up to date. A recently acquired skill or knowledge might be what a recruiter has been in search of.
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11) Always Stay Connected
Stay connected on LinkedIn by downloading the LinkedIn app on your mobile phone. You could just be lucky and a recruiter might find your profile or article interesting and would chat you up. Always be available to give answers.
12) Getting Endorsements And Recommendations
Getting endorsements for specific skills by your connections shows a level of trust that they have in you. It even helps recruiters know more about your acquired skill as some might not be listed in your regular CV.
Just as endorsements are important so also are recommendations from your top connections. Let’s imagine a scenario where a recruiter stumbles on your profile and discovers that you have two recommendations from top heads in that given field. That automatically leaves an impression in the recruiter about the kind of person you are. It gives the impression that you are trustworthy, dependable, professional and diligent.
From research, it has also been observed that most recruiters source for qualified candidates through referrals and recommendations from top heads.
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13) Field Of Interest
Now that you know how to maintain an impressive LinkedIn profile, it would be necessary to also know how companies/recruiters source for eligible candidates on LinkedIn to fill a position. So LinkedIn has an advanced search toolbar where recruiters go to search for candidates. What they do is to type a keyword on what they are in search of.
Let’s imagine company A is in need of a copywriter. The recruiter goes to the search bar and types copywriter and narrows it down by selecting a specific location. This helps the recruiter hone in on talents in that specified zone. It is very important to include a field of interest and geographical location.
14) LinkedIn Referrals
Finally, let’s talk LinkedIn referrals. LinkedIn just introduced a new service called the LinkedIn referrals. What it does is that it gives recruiters a referral tool that works for them. It suggests connections that are right and qualified for open roles, helps them share jobs and keeps them up to date through the entire hiring process. That is why it is important for job seekers to regularly keep their profiles updated by publishing relevant articles or by learning a new skill or getting more knowledge in a particular field.
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Great! Now, job seekers go forth and use the points listed above to build a strong LinkedIn profile. Just don’t forget to send me some of that cash at the end of every month.
For graduates who will want to venture into business, please read business ideas for graduates and 6 business opportunities and how to clinch them.
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