Define Your Target Job

Before you get started, you need to be sure about what type of job you are hoping to find using LinkedIn. Knowing the exact job you want will help you figure out how to use LinkedIn strategically to get connected to the right people who can offer you the job or gain connections to people who can connect you to the right people.

Perfect Your Profile

Once you know exactly the type of job you are looking for, it’s time to create your profile with that job in mind. The LinkedIn profile is much like a resume and a portfolio all in one. What you put on your profile should relate to the job that you want to get. Optimizing your LinkedIn profile with your job search in mind should keep your objectives, keywords and other information focused. You can highlight each area on how you want to be seen. Ensure that there are no typos, no spelling errors, and no grammatical errors. Your head shot should be appropriate for the job you seek.

Make Meaningful Connections

Once you have finished creating your profile, it’s time to make connections. You may be tempted to automatically connect with everyone in your email address book. But, the best course is to only connect with individuals who you’ve worked with in the past, who you want to work with in the future, who can connect you with movers and shakers, and who align with your objectives. If you don’t have a good reason to connect with the person, don’t initiate the connection.

Ask for Recommendations

If you’ve connected with people you have worked with in the past, it’s important to ask them for recommendations and endorsements. Send them a personalized note through the LinkedIn system reminding them about what you did together and the results of the work together. Ask them to please write you a recommendation and / or endorse you on the skills you’ve stated that you have. Remember to shoot for quality recommendations that speak to how well you can perform the job you’re currently seeking from those you know over quantity.

Join Appropriate Groups

Join and participate in groups that consist of your target audience. There are groups devoted to job seekers, and there are groups devoted to a specific industry. Join a mixture of both that you feel are relevant. Joining bigger, more active groups is going to be more effective than joining smaller groups, but if a small group interests you, don’t skip it, especially if there are members in the group you’d like to be connected with.

If your LinkedIn profile does a good job of identifying your purpose, demonstrating your capabilities, and backing that up with appropriate recommendations, you’re off to a good start using LinkedIn to find a new job.

Need a professionally developed LinkedIn profile that positions you as the expert in your field that you are who also happens to be as fascinating on social media as in real life? Well then, we should talk. Contact me by phone: 1-866-562-0850 or email: info@topresumewriting.com.