Will discuss how much organizations use social media to recruit and the use of LinkedIn in this mix.
For new graduates, it’s about being found. Key words are essential. A complete and professional profile is a must. Next, networking is crucial in the job search. This is one one tool in your arsenal. Start with people you know and expand. You can research companies, people and topics. The amount of information you can get from this tool is outstanding.
You headline is critical and necessary. Having a picture, a descriptive headline and picking the right industry are a must in this area. LinkedIn Open Networker or LinkedIn Open Source Networker (LION) is one way to expand your network in search criteria. Stay away from unprofessional pictures. You can use your current job title or one that describes what you do or want to to.
This is a summary statement about you and your brand. It should be littered with keywords (use Indeed) to find a job you’d like and see what key words are imbedded in the description. This should tell me as an employer, “why you”.
If you’ve had an internship or related job, obviously use it. Use keywords, show the tools you know how to use, the processes you’ve applied. Show what you accomplished and learned. If you were an officer in a club or something similar list it here. You can use it later to show some training in courses.
Again, keywords. This should be areas you are skilled in, have applied knowledge of and attributes that describe you. Will talk about endorsements and endorsements verses recommendations and which hold more weight.
By hovering over your selected skills you can gather further information on that particular skill.
This allows you to look at other related or more descriptive skills. Other people who have used this skill in their profile and companies that use this skill.
List your education and activities you were involved in. Anything that can add to your brand and profile is recommended. On a resume, you leave off your high school, but here I suggest listing it. You high school friends are also now in the work force or will be shortly. Remember part of this tool is about connections and you never know who is employed where.
Add relevant courses, not all of them. You can also add any training from jobs or student leadership positions held while in college. And if you’ve gone above and beyond, add those courses too (independent study).
If you can show relevance or a connection to what your are trying to do. Some employers like seeing that you are engaged and involved. This is also an are you’ve developed skills.
Recommendations hold more water than endorsements. You want people who know your work, former supervisors, faculty or people you’ve done business with.
This is an area where you can expand your keyword relevance. In the area of Skills and Expertise you have to have some knowledge, applied knowledge or skill in the attributes you’ve selected. With this area, these are interest. You may or may not have experience in these area, but it’s still an interest and comes up in a keyword search.
Just other areas to add. The projects is an excellent one because you can take academic projects and make them look like a job. Don’t misrepresent yourself, but you are still gaining skills in the process and knowledge of these projects.
List and link if you have any.
This is an area that shows others value your contribution, skills and attributes. You can employee of the month, dean’s list, scholarships, etc. etc.
This is for (fee) type memberships. Mae sure they are relevant.
It may be confusing, because you’re looking at your profile and saying, “Hey! Courses is not on my profile where do I add it?” You add it in the edit mode of your profile. It gives you the option to add several sections.
You can add your email, phone, website, blog or any other social media information. This is a good way for a recruiter to contact you.
By completing your profile, you will start seeing a section on your account that says, “People You May Know”. This is gather information from you employment history, education and your connections. Click on See more and it allows you to target certain sections of your life.
You can also add connections by joining and engaging in groups. You can also see who your connections are connected to (if they have this option on).
On the menu bar you can use the pull down menu to search for groups, companies and even jobs. We will focus on groups and jobs.
Join groups relevant to your job search. Once you join, watch and participate in discussions and connect with influencers.
This is what shows up on your profile if I am looking at it. It behooves you to have relevant groups.
You can research and follow companies. You get on their radar. You can see who works there, who’s worked there, who has a new position, etc. If they are active on LinkedIn, they will also have some great information for you.
This also shows up on your profile I am looking at. You can also follow news sources that give you great articles on topics important to you.
Because of your profile’s information, LinkedIn will provide you with groups you may like, companies to follow, who’s viewed your profile and even jobs.
