The days of candidates mailing their resumes to recruiters are long gone, so are the use of Rolodexes on recruiters desks. Almost every recruiter now utilises LinkedIn as a tool when cross checking experience and skills of candidates, as well as headhunting talent for open positions.
It is for this reason job seekers need to take advantage of technology also.
I have been a job seeker before; I know the frustrations of applying for countless jobs and sitting around waiting for replies. Because of this I am going to share 5 quick changes I made to my LinkedIn profile to help improve my job search.
1. Customised URL
LinkedIn allows individuals to customise a unique URL for their page. This may sound minor, but this will alter the results recruiters get when they punch your name into a search engine. Your LinkedIn profile showcasing all your skills and experiences will drive straight to the top of search engine results, confirming just how great of an applicant you are.
2. Do I need a profile Picture?
The answer is “YES”. If you have ever searched for some one else on LinkedIn I’m sure you know just how bad it looks when a user has no profile picture. It is proven that your profile is 7x more likely to be viewed if you have a profile picture. Sadly I’m not talking about the beloved peace and pout selfie, just a professional photo.
3. Network, network and network some more
It’s that simple! The more connections you have the greater opportunities that exist on LinkedIn. This places you a second connection away from potential hiring managers. Hey at the end of the day what better way of introducing yourself than utilising a mutual connection.
4. Keywords and Skills
Has the potential to drive you to the very top of recruiters search pages, especially if you are smart and only include skills of relevance to the positions you hope to obtain.
5. Job Search Function
LinkedIn offers a simple to use job search engine for its users and is definitely a great place to stop in and check for the newest job posts.
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