LinkedIn is one of the many tools used by both job seekers and recruiters to fill positions at companies. This social networking site tends to draw a more professional crowd, making it a great place to network with others in your industry, connect with potential employers and hiring managers or other professionals who could help get your foot in the door at a company.
If you don’t have one already, your first step is to create a LinkedIn account. Even if you’re a new grad without much experience, polishing up your LinkedIn profile will help you build your professional online presence.
Important parts of your LinkedIn profile:
Picture – Add a picture of yourself that shows you looking professional. Do not include inappropriate photos, photos of you with others, or an image not of yourself.
Headline – In a brief phrase, describe what you do or the opportunity that you are looking for. This is the first thing a recruiter may see, as it is on the top of your profile, so make yourself stand out!
Summary – This is a great way to give others a sense of your background and to highlight important experience from your work history.
Specialties – Here, you can specifically call out skills, interests and particular experience factors you have gained, which shows recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn your strongest suits.
Experience – This portion of your profile is basically your resume. Include not only places of work and dates, but go into detail of what you accomplished or were responsible for in that role.
Education – Include your alma maters and an focuses, along with awards, interests and activities.
Recommendations – After connecting with your friends, family, colleagues and others in your network, ask them to recommend your work at past employers. Instead of listing references when applying to a new job, you could refer them to your profile to see all the great things your co-workers said of you!
Additional Information – Finally, this section allows you to enter any information not included in your profile above, such as websites, interests, LinkedIn group membership, honors and contact settings. If you are interested in learning about job opportunities, be sure to highlight it here!
If you’re in the midst of a job search, LinkedIn is a great way to connect with others, build your online brand, and land a great job!
What do you think of LinkedIn? Have you found a job on this networking site? Leave a comment below!
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