Don't be shy:
This is your time to shine, so leverage your achievements!
- In addition to your specific job responsibilities, add extraneous things that you've done that have solidified your skills and showcased your versatility.
- If you've earned six awards internally for hitting annual sales goals for six consecutive years, mention it in your profile as well as on your resume. Both are there to build you as a brand.
Go offline:
Make it a goal to collect at least three meaningful business cards at an event.
- Then follow up on LinkedIn—that is, if they don’t beat you to it.
- Send them a request to join your network and include a note that says: “It was great meeting you tonight at the [event you attended]. I enjoyed talking to you about [topic of conversation]. Looking forward to staying in touch via LinkedIn.”
- Follow up with a contact after a phone informational interview. By sending a thank-you via LinkedIn, you’ll tap into their network and express your gratitude.
LinkedIn Savvy
June 2011
You’ve already discovered and made connections through LinkedIn, the professional networking site that works a lot like an online resume. You’ve filled out your profile with your educational background, honors, groups, associations and work experience, and added a nice professional-looking headshot of yourself. Good! Now read through the following tips to build momentum for your next career move.
Write and Receive Recommendations. Ask your boss, mentor, or professors to post recommendations on your profile; you’ll have the opportunity to review them before they are published. This is similar to having your boss provide feedback on your performance for the world to see, except it’s in a professional context. It’s nice to return the favor and write a positive recommendation as well.
Connect with Recruiters. Look up recruiters on LinkedIn after you speak with them. Whether they are the internal human resources department or a third-party agency, they are in the business to connect with people. Their network will likely be big, making it a good place to tap into. You may also hear about new job openings as they come up.
Include Keywords. Recruiters use LinkedIn to search by keywords that aren't limited to the job title, such as certifications or unusual credentials. If you've had a few years of experience as an accountant, include technical terms such as U.S. GAAP.
Leverage Groups on LinkedIn. Do searches for groups within your current industry or within the industry you want to explore. Recruiters often join these groups to get familiar with other professionals who are members. For example, if a recruiter has a few tax managerial roles to fill, they may search by keywords within specific groups for candidates.
Generate Relevant Content. Create blogs or distribute articles that relate to your industry. If you are currently employed, you may not want to publicize that you are in search of a new job, but you can and should brand yourself as an expert. Start a discussion within a professional group you belong to. The more you show that you are knowledgeable, the more you'll get noticed and make valuable connections.
Own Your Profile. Don’t identify your title with the company you work for. For example, if you work in the sales department of a Fortune 500 company, simply list yourself as Sales Executive. Then, in the actual profile you can indicate the company and job responsibilities. By taking out company-specific jargon, you’ll make your profile more generic so recruiters and potential bosses can easily recognize your accomplishments. Go even further and create a simple business card that excludes any mention of your current employer—list your name, title, cell phone and e-mail address.
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