Equally important is the summary section. Include career achievements, relevant experiences, and industry “buzz words” to make your profile more searchable.
You can use LinkedIn® to expand your profile beyond the basic resume. Showcase videos, publications, or presentations that you developed. You can also add additional sections including volunteer experience, organizational memberships, and test scores. These are excellent ways to portray the “overall you” to entice recruiters!
Once you’ve set up your profile, start building your network. Connect with individuals you already know. Once connected, you can usually view their contacts and identify others with whom you share interests or experiences. Send a customized invitation to connect with a new contact and grow your network from there. You can connect with industry recruiters or professionals you’ve recently met. More importantly, you should interact with and inform your network that you are searching for employment. It may result in a job lead, referral, or suggestions to help with your search.
You can ask for recommendations and endorsements from contacts who can attest to your skills and abilities; they will complement your work experience.
Remaining “linked-in” is more than just developing a profile and making connections. Establish an active presence on LinkedIn® to market yourself. Join industry-related groups, follow trends, and initiate or contribute to discussions. LinkedIn® Veteran and military spouse groups, including CASY & MSCCN Applicant Connection and Veteran Mentor Network, offer support and advice during your job search. Use these groups to make yourself virtually visible, especially to hiring managers.
You can also search and apply for jobs. Look for job postings in your groups or on company pages. Conduct advanced searches on LinkedIn’s job page and look for: "jobs you may be interested in," suggested positions based on your profile, and "discover jobs in your network," which advertises jobs at your connections' companies.
LinkedIn® also offers flexibility to search and apply for jobs directly with your iOS or Android devices. Through the app for iOS devices, you can customize job searches and receive automatic notifications based on your searches. You can apply for positions with your profile in just a few minutes!
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SOCIAL MEDIA:
Networking and the Job Search on LinkedIn®