Both Jobvite’s 2014 Social Recruiting Survey and the Society for Human Resource Management’s 2013 Social Networking Websites and Recruiting/Selection Survey discovered that 94 percent of companies surveyed use LinkedIn® for recruitment. Jobvite’s survey further revealed that 79 percent of recruiters have hired a candidate through LinkedIn®.
Organizations use LinkedIn® to search for candidates, contact candidates, and vet candidates before and after interviews, which makes the site an important self-marketing tool for job seekers. My question for you, then, is “Are you Linked IN or OUT?”
LinkedIn® is a valuable resource to optimize your job search. Use the site to its full potential to market yourself and to standout from other job seekers.
First, you’ll need to establish an account. LinkedIn® has a free basic account as well as various premium accounts with associated fees. Review the benefits to determine which account is right for you.
Great news for service members and Veterans: LinkedIn® offers a FREE, one-year premium job seeker account to United States service members and veterans (https://veterans.linkedin.com/)!
Take advantage of this perk because a premium account provides exclusive access to features, such as a “salary search filter” and “featured applicant,” that can benefit you in your job search and when applying for jobs.
Next, you’ll want to create an impressive profile. Several sections make up the profile; ensure your profile is 100% complete. The first item a recruiter normally views is the headline section: your name, photograph, and title. This content appears under LinkedIn® searches and if you start discussions.
According to Nicole Williams, LinkedIn’s Career Expert, "Profiles that contain a photograph are 11 times more likely to be viewed than those that don't." With this in mind, you absolutely need a professional photograph of yourself in business attire! No cropped family photos or photos in t-shirts and jeans. Remember: include a picture that shows you dressed for the job you want.
Social Media
Nora Beth Barter
Sign Hazel Partners LLC, Hangs for Veterans.
Are You LinkedIn® or Out:
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You’ve probably heard of LinkedIn®, the professional networking site. Perhaps you have created a partial profile, but haven’t been active since. You may wonder what LinkedIn® can really do for you or how recruiters and companies are using it.