As the newest class of college graduates enter the “real world” and begin their search for the perfect job opportunity, many are starting from square one, perplexed on how to begin looking for their big break.
Whether you’re a fresh-faced college graduate or a seasoned expert,
the most valuable resource to leverage during a job search is without a doubt, LinkedIn.
Creating a LinkedIn profile is the first step to staying in touch with your professional network, but maintaining a thorough, up-to-date profile will help you develop a much broader reach – one that could attract recruiters searching for potential job candidates.
Here are a few tips for optimizing your LinkedIn profile during a job search:
•
Keep your Summary, Specialties and Experience sections up-to-date with fresh content. Did you win a notable industry award or complete a successful project for a high-profile client? Highlight these achievements to keep your profile accurate and compelling.
•
Add special features to your profile – integrate your page with your Twitter account and sync it with your professional (or personal) blog. These elements showcase your personality and can add unique touches to your profile that a standard professional summary can’t quite match.
•
Never stop building your network. After industry events, association happy hours and conferences, make it a habit to go through the business cards you collected and add them to your network on LinkedIn. You’ll be immediately visible and accessible if a new connection is looking to fill a position that matches your skill set.
•
Stay abreast of job postings in your industry. LinkedIn allows employers to post job opportunities to the site, so keep an eye out for positions that interest you. If a company is utilizing LinkedIn to advertise a new opening, chances are they’re also using the site as their first step for vetting potential candidates – another reason to keep your profile updated.
Maintaining a robust, effective profile on LinkedIn is no easy feat – much like updating a resume, it can be daunting and easy to put off. Think of your LinkedIn profile as a living, breathing document – one that is never truly finished. As a critical tool that can either make or break your job search, your LinkedIn page can be your ticket to new, exciting opportunities – maybe even when you’re least expecting it.
What are your favorite LinkedIn features? Feel free to share any recommendations you have for LinkedIn rookies in the comment section below.