A LinkedIn account is an invaluable tool in your job search. Job seekers who avoid LinkedIn do so at their peril, according to recruiting experts.
In an article published by Forbes, several recruiters speak of the importance of having a LinkedIn account. According to Cindy Stamer, a recruiter for Bloomberg Media Group, recruiters use LinkedIn to screen potential candidates for positions. She says that most business professionals hired by Bloomberg have a LinkedIn account.
LinkedIn is a key part of the modern recruitment process for professionals. According to Michelle Kedem from search firm On-Ramps, having a LinkedIn account allows recruiters to know who you are. Having a strong presence on LinkedIn could lead to recruiters contacting you about roles for which you are suitable, rather than you having to seek them out. Job seekers who do not use LinkedIn have to work a lot harder to find the roles they want, which can be difficult for busy professionals who have full-time jobs.
Having a LinkedIn account is not enough to guarantee success in your job search. You need to fill out as many sections of your LinkedIn profile as possible to give recruiters the information they need. In addition, you need to keep this information up to date.
Once you have a detailed LinkedIn profile, which includes a professional headshot as your profile picture, then it is time to start building your network. Connect with your colleagues, both past and present, and join groups that are relevant to your industry. These connections help you keep up to date with industry trends and give you a strong network to draw on when you need an introduction.
You can also improve your own reputation on LinkedIn by using your LinkedIn account to share articles that are interesting and relevant to your field of work. In addition, you should reply promptly to messages from your connections and invitations to connect, as this shows your connections that they are important to you. Endorse your connections for skills that you know they have, and request that they do the same for you.
A LinkedIn account is a useful tool for job seekers. You can sign up for email alerts to let you know when a particular company is hiring or find out about roles that meet your professional skills and interests. If you don't want your current employer to know that you are looking for work, you can turn off your activity broadcasts or exclude employees in your current company from viewing your activity feed.
Many recruiters regard a well-presented and up-to-date LinkedIn account as essential. A LinkedIn account can help you to search for jobs, build relationships with useful contacts and make yourself known to recruiters.
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