I have often been asked: “How important is my LinkedIn profile?” or “Do I really need to be on LinkedIn?”
YES you do! Here are the 5 reasons why you MUST have a LinkedIn profile, and should be using LinkedIn in your job search.
- What is the first thing that a recruiter, a hiring manager or someone you are trying to network with going to do? Look you up on LinkedIn. Here, they start creating their first impression of you. What impression do you want them to have of you? What story are you telling about yourself, your experience? On your LinkedIn profile, you can provide more information about yourself than in your resume, use it to your benefit, show samples of your work, create a more wholesome image of who you are. Look at your photo. What is it saying about you? Is it going to scare them away? Believe me I have been scared away…
- LinkedIn is commonly used by recruiters to find candidates. If you are not there, you are not on the list of possible candidates. When searching for candidates, recruiters enter certain criteria including: job titles, skills, and specific keywords. You need to make sure that your LinkedIn profile contains all the information to match the position you are looking for. This way LinkedIn’s search engine will find you when identifying candidates to fit those positions.
- Many companies today post their job openings on LinkedIn. If you are not searching LinkedIn, you will not find those opportunities. When you apply, you often apply directly through LinkedIn, providing your LinkedIn profile.
- LinkedIn is the place for you to network. With over 450 million members worldwide your reach is endless. You have access to meet friends of friends, learn about new companies, jobs that people are doing, new career paths and industries. Remember that more than 80% of jobs are found through your network. Make expanding your network a priority.
- Build your credibility and show off your knowledge. Showcase recommendations about your work, write articles to establish yourself as an expert, and engage in conversations with others.
Not only does LinkedIn provide you with a wealth of information, it can provide potential employers with the right information about you, to make you their next hire.
Watch IamBackatWork’s webinar with Michele Brand, to learn 10 ways to Optimize your LinkedIn profile.
Miki Feldman Simon, Founder & CEO IamBackatWork