Article by: Zanele Gumede (HR Practitioner) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most job seekers know it\u2019s important to add a recent, professional-looking photo to their LinkedIn profile. But did you know that not posting a photo may prevent recruiters from finding your LinkedIn Profile in a job search? LinkedIn is unquestionably the social network for job-seeking professionals or even if you\u2019re not looking right now. Most recruiters use social media in their work today, and LinkedIn is the social network they use most. And yet, many job seekers don\u2019t maximize LinkedIn to help them find jobs. Instead, they copy and paste their resume and hope the right employer finds them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are 5 LinkedIn strategies, tools and tips you might not have known about, each of which can put you one step closer to a new job\u2014or new career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Make yourself memorable with great stories. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Recruiters and hiring managers are like anyone else\u2014they respond to story-telling rather than mind-numbing lists of facts. Plus, stories can aid memory. So telling a good story or two in your LinkedIn profile could make you more memorable to recruiters. Example: For each job you post on your profile, don\u2019t simply state your responsibilities. Weave an interesting tale about your successes in the job. Most important, explain the problems and how you solved them, especially if you came up with creative solutions to important challenges. Keep your narrative succinct; a lengthy one could be a turnoff to busy recruiters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Focus on where you\u2019re going versus where you\u2019ve been. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Professionals at mid-career are often looking to reinvent themselves after years of working in a specific type of job or industry. But too often, their LinkedIn profiles only reflect where they\u2019ve been. Instead, focus your profile on where you want to go. Find your ideal jobs, then build your profile around those. For example, while it\u2019s tempting to list tons of skills from all your years of experience, keep your focus on what\u2019s relevant to the job you\u2019re seeking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Keep it fresh<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A LinkedIn profile should be a \u201cliving, breathing document\u201d that clearly represents what makes you \u201cunique and worth hiring,\u201d not a static set-and-forget online resume. One way to keep your profile alive: regularly share updates on topics related to your field, just as you share updates on Facebook. Posting long-form content, such as LinkedIn blog posts, is \u201canother great way to catch a recruiter\u2019s eye,\u201d says. You can \u201cshare thought leadership advice, insights on the day\u2019s top stories or industry trends to reinforce your experience,\u201d which helps position you as an expert in your chosen field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Get visual<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Instagram age, many people respond well to visual content, so whenever possible, make your LinkedIn profile more visual. Have you won awards, or do you have impressive degrees or certifications? Great\u2014post photos of them on your profile, rather than simply listing them in text. If you\u2019ve given a well-received presentation, post it on SlideShare (which LinkedIn owns) and add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you\u2019ve appeared in or produced an interesting video, post that to your LinkedIn profile, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Make yourself accessible<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One common mistake on LinkedIn is not making it clear how others can reach you via email or phone. LinkedIn limits the number of InMails its paid users can send, and doesn\u2019t allow members of its free service to send InMails at all. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to list your email address and phone number prominently in your profile, such as in your summary. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Article by: Zanele Gumede (HR Practitioner) Most job seekers know it\u2019s important to add a recent, professional-looking photo to their LinkedIn profile. But did you know that not posting a photo may prevent recruiters from finding your LinkedIn Profile in a job search? LinkedIn is unquestionably the social network for job-seeking professionals or even if […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n