FindÂing a job is no longer simÂply about using job search engines, listÂings, indusÂtry pubÂliÂcaÂtions and your immeÂdiÂate friends and relaÂtions, it is about using modÂern social and proÂfesÂsionÂal netÂworks to help build up proÂfesÂsionÂal conÂtacts to get ahead, and the best and most popÂuÂlar netÂwork for the job is LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is a social netÂworkÂing site with a proÂfesÂsionÂal edge that helps you build a netÂwork of indusÂtry-speÂcifÂic conÂtacts and build a perÂsonÂal proÂfile to help get yourÂself noticed. With over 150 milÂlion memÂbers there is no othÂer serÂvice which offers you so much potenÂtial, but how exactÂly should you use LinkedIn and make the most of it to find a job? Let’s find out.
Use the Resume Builder
LinkedIn’s resume builder helps you bring togethÂer all the inforÂmaÂtion on your proÂfile into a true resume with the availÂable site resume temÂplates. You can edit your resume whenÂevÂer you like, and your resume is givÂen a cusÂtom URL so you can easÂiÂly delivÂer it to proÂfesÂsionÂal contacts.
Search for Contacts
There are two ways to find conÂtacts on LinkedIn; either by meetÂing with peoÂple someÂwhere else and then searchÂing for them on LinkedIn, or by searchÂing for peoÂple you do not know by search for comÂpaÂnies and posiÂtions instead of names. For examÂple, you can search for a comÂpaÂny name and job title, and you will be givÂen a list of peoÂple who match the criÂteÂria. In most casÂes you will not be able to mesÂsage the peoÂple that crop up. At best you will have a secÂond degree conÂnecÂtion with them through a conÂtact you already have, and if so then you can get your conÂtact to send your mesÂsage onwards to them. OthÂerÂwise you will have to do a litÂtle social detecÂtive work to find the person’s conÂtact details.
Make Your SitÂuÂaÂtion Clear
If you lose your job or get laid off and you find yourÂself back on the marÂket, the first place to let peoÂple know is on LinkedIn. It is highÂly imporÂtant to choose the right words howÂevÂer, with the terms ‘laid off’ or ‘fired’ very inapÂproÂpriÂate to use in your headÂline, though you can be more frank with your sitÂuÂaÂtion in your staÂtus update. Being unemÂployed is often an advanÂtage on LinkedIn because it shows your availÂabilÂiÂty with recruiters, so let them know you are availÂable and lookÂing for new opportunities.
LinkedIn JobInÂsidÂer Toolbar
It is well known that knowÂing someÂone withÂin a comÂpaÂny increase your chances of landÂing a job in said comÂpaÂny, and the JobInÂsidÂer toolÂbar helps you do this. This toolÂbar can be installed onto your choÂsen web browsÂer, and when you search through job listÂings the toolÂbar will let you know if you have any proÂfesÂsionÂal conÂtacts withÂin that company.
FolÂlow ComÂpaÂny Updates
Make a list of all the comÂpaÂnies you would like to work in, and conÂnect with them on LinkedIn so that you keep updatÂed with any busiÂness updates postÂed by these comÂpaÂnies. ComÂpaÂnies will also post new job listÂings and othÂer opportunities.