If you’re in the market for a job, it’s essential to have a LinkedIn account in today’s marketplace. LinkedIn is the social media channel that’s all about jobs. An estimated 450 million people use LinkedIn – and 95% of recruiters do. The math is simple: you have 0 chances of recruiters and employers seeing you on LinkedIn if you don’t have an account – and many chances if you do.
Here are three specific ways LinkedIn can help you find a job.
You can make your skills and qualifications visible to recruiters and employers.
You open a LinkedIn account by creating a profile. For job-seekers, the profile should map to their resumes very closely. You want both prospective recruiters and prospective employers to see your qualifications, just as they do when you send them a resume. Set up a list of past employers, your primary duties and skills, and the whole years who worked there, just as you do in a resume.
You can also lead with a paragraph that describes what type of job you are searching for and where you are located.
Many recruiters scan LinkedIn as they try to fill job openings. If you are looking for a job, use appropriate keywords and job titles so they can find you if they are searching.
You can apply for jobs.
While many people think of the profiles when they think of LinkedIn, it is equally helpful as a source of job postings. Click on the “jobs” tab to see them. You can search by job title, keyword, or location.
You can apply for jobs directly on the LinkedIn site when you see a job that fits your qualifications and experience.
You can grow your professional network.
One of the features of LinkedIn that is of great use to job seekers is the ability to ask people to connect on LinkedIn. The number of people you are connected with constitutes your LinkedIn network. Many people connect with people they know or have worked within the past.
Getting a job is often dependent on your network in real life. If a former coworker or your cousin knows of job openings, for example, and you hear about them before they are advertised, it can increase your chances of getting the job. Similarly, if they can put in the right word for you, you may have more chances of getting hired.
LinkedIn increases the number of people who are likely to know you are looking for a job. You can also have connections with companies who are looking for workers.
What type of career are you interested in finding?
No matter what type of work experience you have, exciting opportunities are waiting for you in a wide range of fields. To find out more about jobs in your area, contact us today.