Why are you job searching and not on LinkedIn?

When job seekers tell me they’re not on LinkedIn—or “I have an account but don’t really use it,” I say, “Why not?” I’ve heard all the reasons. And honestly, they just don’t cut it today. If you’re in a job search but feel that social media is not for you, get past it. If you’re worried about being seen, get past it. As you’ve guessed, this post is for those who have dragged their feet on having a LinkedIn presence. It’s not just a good idea. It’s really essential. If you’re being courted by hiring folks and the resume is a formality, good for you! But if not, take stock. For many who hire, if you’re not on LinkedIn, you don’t exist. The good news is, it’s easy to get started.

The LinkedIn connection with those who hire

According to Jobvite, a leading recruiting platform for the social web cited in its July 2011 Social Recruiting Survey that 89% of U.S. companies planned to recruit through social media in remaining 2011 and into 2012, up from 83% in 2010. Polled in June of 2011, more than 800 U.S.-based human resources and recruitment professionals increasingly use a mix of LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, with LinkedIn still the dominant source.

Just start

If you haven’t done anything with LinkedIn, here are some basics that should be timeless regardless of LinkedIn changes down the road.

  • Sign up. Google LinkedIn. When you get to the site, you just submit your personal email and a password. Avoid cutesy emails. Sign up for a free account. There are upgrades for a monthly charge – you can check these out later. For now, just get on.
  • Your profile. Your profile needs to sell your value. Whether you’re a newbie salesperson or a CEO, your profile is the first place where people make judgments about your value to their network. And where recruiters and HR folks make snap decisions on whether to check you out further or pass you over. Underneath your name, describe what you do. Note that it defaults to your most current job title, so check this. Include your industry information to improve your chances of being found.

Try to get 100% completeness on your profile. It revs up your chances of being found and creates the best image. A complete profile includes your current position, two past positions, your education, a summary, your specialties (important keywords), a photo and at least three recommendations. The summary is key. It shows your brand, tells your story and creates your positioning statement.

  • Your connections. Shoot for 100 or more connections if you are in a job search. Try to connect with those in your space—your profession, industry or geographical area. For example, a project manager should connect with other project managers. Someone in medical devices should connect with others in that sector. This will help you seek out – and be found by – others who are a good fit.
  • Participate in Answers. Click on the Answers link and browse through the topics (right side of page) to see what questions are being asked in your area of expertise. Respond! You may just put yourself in front of others who make hiring decisions. You also can establish yourself as a subject matter expert. Best answers get ranked! You’ll also meet new people who are influencers and shakers.
  • Join groups. Click on Groups and search for those you could belong to: school alumni, professional associations, previous employers, etc. Two important things to do: 1) browse through the Group membership and reach out to individuals, and 2) participate in Group discussions, which will come right to your email.

That’s the basics of getting started. There’s more of course. I’ll dive into more advanced strategies in the near future. For now as Nike says, “Just do it!”.

Photo: mariosundar

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