One of the best resources to help you look for a job is the social media platform, LinkedIn. LinkedIn specializes in networking and connecting professionals to help build their matrix and some instances, help you find a new job. For those that have never used LinkedIn before, it can seem intimidating, so here are best practices for job hunting on LinkedIn.
Turn on recruiting
One of the best ways you can increase your chances of getting a job through LinkedIn is to allow recruiters and hiring managers to reach out to you about available positions. You can do this by going to your Settings & Privacy on your LinkedIn account, click on the Privacy tab, and under the Job Seeking preferences, select “Let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities”.
Adjusting this setting is a quick and easy way to show recruiters on LinkedIn that you are looking for a new job, and you would be open to them messaging out about new positions.
Professional picture
On LinkedIn, your picture goes a long way. LinkedIn is a professional social media platform so it is vital to stay professional. It can be tempting to use the same picture you have on Facebook or Instagram, but an unprofessional picture could deter you from getting a job.
Ask your parent, roommate, friend, etc. to take a picture of you standing against a white wall. Wear clothing you would feel confident wearing during an interview, and smile. Making the time to take a LinkedIn profile picture will go a long way and will make you seem more professional to recruiters and other connections you have on LinkedIn.
Make your headline count
Your headline, along with your profile picture should be professional and say a lot in only a few words. This piece of text follows you around LinkedIn everywhere, so it’s important to perfect it.
If you are currently working and have a job title that you are proud to share, this would be a great place to put it. A well-curated headline allows other connections on LinkedIn and recruiters to know your place in your industry and understand your role and the amount of experience you have.
For those that don’t want to share their job title, this is a great way to be creative and say a lot without having to say a lot. Think outside of the box and brainstorm how your headline can stand out from other peers and other professionals. The key is to stand out.
Build those connections
Unlike other job platforms, LinkedIn shows the number of connections you have that are below 500. If you have more than 500 connections on LinkedIn, it will read as “500+”.
When recruiters and other users on LinkedIn are going to be more likely to connect with as users that have above 500 connections because it shows they are well-liked in their industry, and they are skilled in networking. It’s critical to take time and build your network on LinkedIn and even more important to get to know your connections.
Overall, you should tweak and adjust your LinkedIn account every few months for any new areas of experience or make your profile more attainable. LinkedIn is an excellent resource to form and grow the connections within your industry and find a new job. Take advantage of this platform and use it often and plenty.
Clutch is a creative staffing partner. We connect digital, creative, and marketing professionals with companies looking for freelance, temp-to-hire or direct hire resources.
