LinkedIn is a job seeker’s best friend and there’s a lot you can do to optimize use of LinkedIn in your job search. One important action item is to add recommendations to your profile. Some job seekers feel hesitant to ask for these recommendations. If done right, they can greatly enhance your LinkedIn profile and strengthening your impression with recruiters and hiring managers. Read More
Recognizing Unique Networking Opportunities
Are you taking advantage of networking opportunities in your everyday life? You encounter these opportunities often but may miss them because they are not strictly job related. Any community where you have built a reputation is an opportunity to network – don’t let your best networking opportunities get away from you because haven’t recognized them as such. Read More
Don’t Ignore Smaller Companies in Your Job Search
Job seekers often focus their efforts on large firms with name recognition and, in the process, ignore smaller younger companies. However, by doing so, they are eliminating some good options. While looking for a job, you want to broaden your horizons and target a wide range of employers in your field of interest, regardless of size. Read More
LinkedIn: Better Late Than Never
LinkedIn is one of the best resources a job seeker can access. Many reports have shown that recruiters are planning to scale back use of job boards and hunt for candidates on LinkedIn before posting a job opening. Beyond networking with recruiters and colleagues, being on LinkedIn can also give you early or even exclusive access to job postings. More importantly, not having a LinkedIn account may send a negative message to recruiters. Read More
The Math Behind the Networking Claim
“According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70 percent of all jobs are found through networking.”
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What Makes a Good LinkedIn Contact?
During the sign up process, LinkedIn will ask for a peek at your e-mail contact list. This is one of the easiest ways to see the public profiles of everyone you know on LinkedIn and if you feel comfortable with their privacy statement, you should do it. It the fastest way to populate your network. It also brings up an important area for caution with LinkedIn: who you network with.
Optimizing LinkedIn To Help With Your Job Search
If you are a job seeker, it is crucial you optimize your usage of LinkedIn so you can be found by recruiters and hiring managers. LinkedIn is also a vital way to communicate with everyone in your network about who you are and what you are looking for. Clear, consistent communication allows your network to work for you. Ten things every job seeker should do to make best use of LinkedIn:
Making Contact With Employers
The best ways to establish social connections as described in this video are still viable today.
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- Find someone you know in the company, so that you have a first point of entry.
Debunking The Myths Of Networking
Thanks to Sandy Jones-Kaminski the socially weary job-seeker has a new supporter. Here is a sample of her wisdom regarding the myths of networking:
Myth #1: Networking means you’re looking to use people to achieve selfish goals, or opportunistically ask people for help.
Got a Missing Ingredient? Check Your Assumptions at the Door: A Thought Experiment for Job Seekers
Imagine the following scenario: A hiring manager is conferring with his staff regarding two finalists for a position. He asks them which one would be the better fit for their department. One by one they give their opinions. Then the hiring manager says: “It’s clear that either one of them could do a good job. Both of them could do the job in their sleep, but we need someone who can represent the department in a favorable light, someone who is calm and diplomatic.”
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