Tag Archives: LinkedIn Tips for Job Seekers

Why Networking is Still Important

It doesn’t take an expert to realize that over the last decade, human communication and interaction has become less personal and more digital. We don’t call our friends, we text. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are the mediums by which we keep in touch with our friends and family – even if they live just a few miles away. The digitization of communication has also affected professional interactions, which has led many people to reduce the time they spend networking. However, networking is still critical to career development, whether you are new to the workforce or you are 20 years into your career.

To get the most from networking in the digital age, it helps to know how to turn online interactions into professional connections.

Spend More Time on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the most effective professional social media platform for networking with people in your industry. It’s not enough to have a profile on LinkedIn, however. You’ve got to create an optimized profile that is not only robust, but also searchable. You also have to know how to work the platform to grow your network and make real and meaningful connections.

Joining and participating in groups is an ideal strategy for maximizing your time on LinkedIn. Not only will you connect with like-minded professionals, but you also have the opportunity to showcase your unique knowledge and skills in discussions. Many hiring managers and recruiters join LinkedIn groups to spot new talent, and groups can be an ideal platform for showing off your expertise.

It is important to stay in touch with LinkedIn connections. Be sure to take the time to personally email or InMail your contacts so that you are cultivating real relationships. Whenever possible, take the conversation offline and invite contacts to coffee or lunch for some analog, face-to-face networking time.

Join Local Meetup Groups

Meetup.com is a digital platform that takes online networking into the real world. Users can sign up and join local groups that meet in their area.

By seeking out meetups based on your professional expertise and interests, you can connect with local professionals in your industry. Join several groups, as you won’t always be able to attend scheduled meetups, and some gatherings simply won’t be of interest to you. Joining several groups allows you to pick and choose the events that are the most relevant to you, and exposes you to the widest variety of people possible.

Commit to Making a New Connection Every Week

In order to ensure that you’re constantly growing your network, set a goal of making a minimum of one new connection every week. Whether it’s on LinkedIn, through Meetup.com, or through some other channel, adding one new, relevant connection to your network can help you stay plugged in to what’s happening in your industry.

Always remember that networking is a two-way street. You have to give if you hope to receive. Be sure that you aren’t approaching networking with a “me first” attitude, and do whatever you can to be of assistance to your professional contacts.

If you are a professional in sales, marketing, engineering, IT or operations looking for new opportunities, contact The Prevalent Group today. Our team of executive recruiters can help match you with a position that aligns with your long-term career goals, and we can work with you to help perfect your networking skills to ensure you cultivate a strong set of professional connections.

How To Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

Most professionals know that a LinkedIn profile is an absolute necessity. If you’re new to the job market, or you’re just starting to think about looking for new opportunities, it’s probably time to login and take some steps to improve your profile so that it’s searchable for hiring managers and paints a clear picture of your skills and qualifications. If you are looking to improve your LinkedIn profile this year, follow these steps:

One: Update Your Photo

If you don’t have a photo on your profile, if your current photo is outdated, or if it is not a professional headshot, it’s time to make a change. According to LinkedIn’s own data, profiles that include a professional photo get 14 times more views than those without a photo. Getting a professional headshot taken is relatively inexpensive, and the cost of a professional photo can pay for itself tenfold if it helps you land the job of your dreams.

Two: Complete Your Summary

Many people on LinkedIn skip over the summary section, or they fill it out with just one or two sentences. It will be important to take some time and write out a complete summary that paints a picture of who you are as a professional, and the benefits you bring to employers. Your summary is your first introduction to hiring managers and recruiters, and you want them to read it and say, “I want to learn more about this person.”

Three: Craft a Strategic, Searchable Headline

When you’re working on your LinkedIn profile, remember that hiring managers and recruiters will find you through LinkedIn’s search function. If you don’t include keywords in your headline, summary, and profile, you won’t show up in search results. LinkedIn will pre-fill your headline for you if you choose, but it is much more effective to write your own. Include your name, your current job title, any known variations of that job title, and the industry in which you work. For example, data scientists should also include analytics keywords, and business intelligence keywords, since they are all related.

Participate in Groups

LinkedIn Groups are an excellent way to make new connections, expand your network, and establish yourself as an expert in your field. Join relevant industry groups and participate in discussions whenever possible. Always make sure your answers are well thought out and relevant. Groups are not the place to ask about open job positions. Keep your conversations on topic, make valuable and insightful contributions, and always be respectful of the other me members of the group.  Hiring managers and recruiters join these groups to monitor discussions and identify talent, so always present yourself professionally.

Work With a Professional Recruiter

Crafting an effective LinkedIn profile is an art form, and it can be extremely useful to get some outside help. Professional recruiters know the value of a strong online presence, and they can help you craft a profile that will make you more attractive to potential employers.

If you are a professional in sales, marketing, engineering, IT or operations looking for new opportunities, contact The Prevalent Group today. Our team of executive recruiters can help match you with a position that aligns with your long-term career goals, and we can work with you to help perfect your LinkedIn profile to help you make a strong first impression on hiring managers.