Using LinkedIn: A Vital Tool in Your Networking and Job Search Arsenal

networking and job search

Now, more than ever, online networking is necessary to maintain old relationships, build fledgling relationships, and seek out new relationships. That includes relationships between businesses and potential new hire candidates. It is estimated that 90+ percent of recruiters search daily to find potential candidates using the LinkedIn platform. Since it’s arguably the top networking tool for businesses worldwide, if you aren’t utilizing it effectively, you could be missing out on lucrative job offers and partnership opportunities.

LinkedIn Usage Has Increased

COVID has certainly done a number on the way we interact with others. Jason Cohen from Medium shares that social media usage has risen drastically, with a whopping 27 percent increase of traffic to FB alongside a 26% in quarterly sessions growth on LinkedIn. Other social sites have seen similar increases.

What this tells us is that your social media platforms really cannot effort to be neglected right now if you hope to keep up with the changing business landscape, and you want to find jobs or networking opportunities.

How to Leverage Your LinkedIn Effectively

One of the biggest factors in effectively leveraging your LinkedIn profile is to make sure it’s fully optimized. That means polishing up your bio and keeping it fresh and updated frequently. That means highlighting your recent experience, highlighting your skills and objectives, and, most important of all, being authentic. Your LinkedIn profile is not just a resume of your job experiences; it’s a professional snapshot that gives companies and recruiters an honest look at you as a person.

Tips for Making Your LinkedIn Profile Shine

There are several sections you can fill out on your LinkedIn profile. Some of the key areas to focus on are your headline, the about section, your profile and background photos, your previous and current experience, and recommendations.

Your Headline

The headline of your profile is a crucial piece of real estate that triggers your profile to show up in searches. The default system places your current job title there, but it’s a much wiser choice to use key terms, like the job titles you are seeking and/or the industry you are or want to work in. You can use straight slashes to separate the words but don’t negate the power of optimizing this for maximum results.

Your About Section

This area is like a cross between a bio and a short sales page selling yourself. Remember that when people land, they only get to see the first couple of sentences, so it’s important to make those first few words shine and grab attention, so visitors keep reading. Remember to keep the tone conversational and use the first person. The about section should show some of your personality and really focus on the reader and what you can offer them.

Your Stellar Photos

LinkedIn lets you have a profile photo as well as a background photo, similar to a header on a website. This is valuable space! You can use the background area for a business logo if you are a service provider or something else that ties in with your brand and the image you want to portray to visitors. Your profile photo should be a great headshot that’s clear and crisp—no blurry selfies or weird photos of your cat.

Your Experience

Remember that LinkedIn is all about biz connections. People looking to hire you will be looking at your profile to determine what kind of experience you have and whether or not that experience is a fit for their company. Use this space to highlight current and past jobs or projects and be sure to use key terms in the titles. For instance, if you were a copywriter for a small marketing firm in the last five years, be sure to use terms like copywriter and marketer in your title description.

Recommendations

This section is like a built-in testimonial area for you to put recommendations from old bosses, co-workers, and people you’ve worked with that can attest to your skills and work ethic. Use this area wisely, and don’t be afraid to reach out to past employers or project partners and request a recommendation on LinkedIn. Most are happy to give one and might even ask for one in exchange!

These are the top areas to focus on for an effective LinkedIn profile that catches the eye of potential recruiters and business partners. There are other things you can add, such as skills and endorsements that are useful, but those can always be added later. These key areas, however, are must-haves, so don’t skimp! Your LinkedIn profile is a tool that can’t be overlooked if you’re serious about networking and job searching in today’s social media climate.

If you’re looking for assistance with recruiting, get in touch. StellaPop has extensive experience placing exceptional staff at companies across a wide range of industries.

See Also:

Is Your Business Considering Using AI for Hiring or Talent Acquisition? How AI Impacts Recruitment Results

How Good is Your Recruiting? It’s All About Saving Time and Money on the Front End

Recruiting: Both Sides of the Talent Acquisition Story

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