LinkedIn has become the 11th most visited website in the entire world. One of the best ways to improve your chances of finding a job in today’s market is to increase your presence on LinkedIn. To learn more, I spoke with Dan Barrett, Senior Recruiter at Publicis Healthcare Communications Group. Barrett began his career in Telecommunications before he started working in recruitment. I talked with Dan about how LinkedIn has influenced the world of recruitment. With his assistance, I have complied a list of things you can do to help improve your presence on LinkedIn.
1. Create a Profile
This goes without saying. Barrett began by saying, LinkedIn is “a phenomenal tool for not only connecting with industry professionals, but also for staying abreast on industry trends and news.”
2. Complete Your Profile
Make sure no stone goes unturned (or however that saying goes). The point is, make sure you fill it out to its fullest extent. This includes a professional looking photo, a personal summary, and all your experience. Barrett also suggests adding your relevant skills under the ‘Skills and Endorsements’ section. When you’re writing these sections, make sure to include what industry professionals like to call ‘buzzwords’. These are words relevant to the field you hope to work in. According to Barrett, recruiters use LinkedIn nearly every day. Recruiters appreciate all the information you provide because it can really help when they are looking for someone with a specific background.
3. Make Connections
LinkedIn makes it really easy to find people that you may know. Start by connecting with friends, family, and colleagues. You’ll be amazed at how many people will start showing up under the ‘people you may know’ section. Connections are key when it comes to LinkedIn, so add away! Connections, according to Barrett, can mean the difference between landing your next job or sales call, or simply remaining where you are. I asked Barrett about his opinion on adding or accepting a request from someone that you do not know. He recommends that you accept it. “There’s not much harm in connecting with everyone that requests you. As mentioned above, this helps you out in many ways.”
4. Ask for Recommendations
This one can seem a bit intimidating. Fear not, my friend. Recommendations are a great way to add depth not only to your LinkedIn profile, but also to your entire career. Barrett said, recommendations “can help show that you’re an easy person to work with and are the right person to get the job done!” It’s best to have a variety of different recommendations. My suggestion would be to ask someone who is above you, like a manager or boss, equal to you, and, if possible, someone that you may have managed. This provides a well-rounded viewpoint of your work.
5. Follow People and Companies
Particularly, follow people or companies who inspire you and who you would love to work for some day. Following companies enables you to stay abreast of the latest news relating to their company and, in addition, shows you any open jobs that they may have.
6. Join Groups
Groups can be an excellent way for you to meet others who share your interests, whether it is work related or not. In addition, you can participate in group discussions and share relevant articles. This is an amazing way to build industry knowledge all while connecting with others.
7. Keep Your Profile Updated
I am on LinkedIn at least once a week, if not more. This is important because not only am I able to see the latest news and job openings, but I am always able to ensure that my profile is up to date. If the idea of being on LinkedIn all the time sounds overwhelming, then I recommend that you minimally make sure that your profile is always up to date to reflect your current job status. However, I would rather you take Barrett’s advice: “try to keep [your profile] up to date as much as you can. People are always surfing LinkedIn and you never know when it could land you a dream job!”
Do you have any other suggestions for how to improve your
presence on LinkedIn? I would love to hear about them!
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