LinkedIn is the most used professional networking site on the web. If you are not using it to network with recruiters, you could be missing out on potential opportunities. 87% of recruiters regularly use LinkedIn to search for talent, making it essential to have a profile, especially if you actively job searching.
If you have exhausted the job boards looking for vacancies, start building your LinkedIn network. However, there are over 500 million members on LinkedIn, so it helps to know how to get noticed. Check out our tips to help your profile stand out from the crowd.
Tip #1: Perfect Your Profile
It all starts with your LinkedIn profile. A well-put-together profile is your chance to make a great impression. If you want to stand out from the competition, start optimizing your profile. The following tips will have your profile getting noticed in no time:
- Select a profile picture: Your photo gets your profile noticed. Select an image that shows your face and has a simple background. You may even want to consider hiring a photographer to take a few professional headshots.
- Create a headline: Write one to two lines about what you do, your years of experience, industry, and goals.
- Write a summary: Your LinkedIn summary is an excellent way to highlight your career milestones and add personality to your profile. Consider the summary section a detailed version of your headline.
- Experience: Build up the sections for work experience and educational background by adding relevant certifications, volunteer experience, skills, and accomplishments. If possible, add links and supporting documents.
- Let people know you are "Open to Work": To enable the Open to Work feature, go to Me > View Profile > Open to > Finding a New Job to set preferences.
- Be active: Use your experience to create valuable posts. Post tips about things that have helped you or best practices. Posting engages your network and can even help you build it.
- Stay current: Keep your profile up to date with any new skills or projects.
Tip #2: Build Your Network
There are two ways of connecting on LinkedIn. If you have a premium LinkedIn account, you can send an InMail to the recruiter. Sending an InMail is the most direct option. The second option is to connect with the recruiter by clicking on the "Connect" button on the recruiter's profile page.
When connecting, send a message with your connection request. Briefly introduce yourself and let them know why you are reaching out. You can also mention anything you have in common such as affiliations with groups, universities, or charities. Recruiters are busy people and receive a lot of messages. Make the most of their time by letting them know how your connection can be an asset to them or what you can do for them or their company.
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Tip #3: Follow Up and Stay in Touch
Once a recruiter accepts your connection request, don't just call it a day; follow up. Your next step is to send a post-acceptance message. Thank them for connecting, and if there is a particular job you are interested in, you can mention that you are interested. And if you have applied for a position, tell them what value you feel you can bring to this position.
It would be best if you didn’t flood your recruiter with daily messages, but it is essential to follow up. A follow-up message gives the impression that you are interested and professional. Even if the position gets filled, keep in contact with your recruiter because they may fill that type of position frequently, and you never know when a similar role will pop up. A good rule of thumb is to check in monthly to ask if they are hiring for positions you are interested in. This is a great way to stay top of mind.
Tip #4: Keep Your LinkedIn Profile Up to Date
Your LinkedIn profile can give you a significant advantage, so put time and effort into it. If your LinkedIn profile is strong, it’s even likely that you won’t have to network on LinkedIn because the recruiters will be reaching out to you.
Connecting with recruiters on LinkedIn might seem a little scary at first. But if you reach out politely, most recruiters would be happy to establish a relationship. Use our tips to help you create a complete, strong, and well-optimized LinkedIn profile. A strong LinkedIn profile will make recruiters more inclined to accept your connection request. In addition, an up-to-date profile helps recruiters find you easily via search and shows them that you have the skills and experience they are looking for.
Want to learn more about working with recruiters? Head over to our LinkedIn page!
