Investing In LinkedIn Brings A Good Return In Job Search

Of course, there is a lot of buzz about the value of this technology stock and whether or not it’s a good investment. While I can’t offer my opinion about this investment, I can tell you that you’d be wise to invest time in using LinkedIn for your job search. 

According to an April 2011 survey of more than 500 HR professionals published by The Society of Human Resource Management, 56% of respondents said they currently use social networking websites to recruit candidates. Interestingly, just three years ago, only 34% of surveyed HR professionals used social networking to recruit. That’s quite an increase. 

Which social networking sites are favored by HR professionals for recruiting? Of those surveyed, 95% use LinkedIn. Facebook came in second place with 58% of respondents using it. 

It seems pretty clear that using LinkedIn for your job search should be a priority. Assuming you have a 100% complete LinkedIn profile, chock-full of key words and accomplishments, you can follow these points to increase the likelihood that you’ll be found and remembered by a recruiter. 

Add Connections Strategically. You have to have the right people in your network to achieve your goals. What are your career objectives? Do you have a list of target companies? Invite hiring managers and HR managers from those companies into your network. As you network, add recruiters into your network. Getting connected to thought leaders in your field also makes your network valuable. 

Add Connections Frequently. Your LinkedIn network should be vibrant and growing in order to be useful in achieving your career goals and to help others achieve theirs. Having at least 70 strategic connections should be sufficient to network your way to meeting the people you need to meet. Connect with people with large networks when possible because these connections will dramatically increase your ability to meet others. 

Post Updates. Several times a month, add new information to the Update section on your profile page. When you update your profile, the changes will be highlighted on your connections’ home pages and also emailed to them. What a great way to keep your growing, strategically-developed network informed about your projects and what you are learning.

Try the New Skills & Expertise Beta Application. LinkedIn is testing a new application that should be helpful in proactively marketing your specialized skills and expertise. LinkedIn presents it as a way for people to discover world class professionals and related skills in tens of thousands of fields. By adding this section to your profile, it will make it easier for recruiters to find you. 

Be a Groupie. Identify 10-20 professional groups that align with your background and career objectives and join them. Recruiters join groups to find people with specialized skills. You’ll also find job postings in these groups. If you join job search groups and you’re employed, don’t display those groups on your profile.

Recommend Good Reads. Are you a bibliophile? LinkedIn has an application called Reading List that you can use to recommend business books to your network. This is a simple way to let people know what you’re learning and stay on people’s radars.

I hope these ideas help you use LinkedIn even more effectively to help you find people who can help you find jobs. 

Christy Suerth

Your Neighbor and Career Coach

www.linkedin.com/in/christysuerth