Why job seekers and social media are the perfect match - The case for LinkedIn

Our social haunts are more than just a fleeting source of entertainment these days. We live, learn, search and connect via our channels and platforms in new ways every single day. Facebook is no longer just a place to spy and pry; it’s a brand’s engagement paradise. Twitter is more than a digital noticeboard of musings and happenings; it’s a hub of shared industry insight and honest, authentic conversations.  And LinkedIn still remains the professional jewel in the recruitment crown but it has added some new, more personal strings to its bow.

Yep, job hunters are evolving with the social means that support their search (click to tweet). As their social channels prioritise the personal touch or community sharing, so too do these responsive job ramblers, altering not just how they search but the quality and engagement of the search itself. LinkedIn is proof of this shift. So, if you’re a job hunter on the prowl, how can you use LinkedIn to tick more than the professional network box? How can you tempt employers to come to you? And how can flawless etiquette impact your search shenanigans? Let’s get cracking.

Look, Learn, LinkedIn - Your job search tip hit list.

It’s undeniable that LinkedIn is probably the most widely used platform for professional endeavours but it’s working its bum off to create even better, bigger opportunities for seekers to succeed. A network needs to be more than just a number (click to tweet). It’s not simply a collection of professionals you kinda know, these are your career’s lifeblood and they can make or break your search success. In these increasingly social times, numbers can mistakenly represent quality and value. They really don’t. How you use your LinkedIn network is the only thing that determines your value (click to tweet) and impact so become fluent in its features, ecosystem and etiquette.

• Create before you connect.

Have a bustling, lively LinkedIn profile established before you connect with your big players. Yes all profiles are in a state of flux but have the foundations set - have a full and updated summary, have a handful of valuable recommendations visible, ensure your skills list and related Endorsements represent your current skillset and get a recent photo uploaded. These are just some of the solid necessities that need to be in place before the serious searching starts.

• Think strategy.

All social endeavours need a strategy and if you’re job searching, it’s a must. Are there people on LinkedIn that are integral to your search? Are there tools there that can put you ahead of the game? Is LinkedIn the best place to connect with your dream companies? This is the professional landscape, everything you do on LinkedIn is like a mini career tester (click to tweet) that can showcase or damage your employment efforts. Don’t go charging in armed with nothing but enthusiasm and confidence, put a plan in place and stick to it.

• Play by the game.

There’s a few areas of LinkedIn etiquette that are familiar to regular users that can be missed by casual checkers. If you’re hoping to make talent waves and use LinkedIn right, you need to get to grips with these laws of the land. The likes of connecting with people you don’t know or blanket messaging contacts about interviews are a no no. Yes, you can make contact with ‘soon to be connections’ via mail if you have a specific goal and go about it in a personalised, respectful and creative manner but if you’re not prepared to put in the effort, ditch LinkedIn now. People remember lazy, cheeky requests and LinkedIn is not the place to be known for such. Make first impressions count.

• Become a Groupie.

LinkedIn Groups are a key area for job hunters to infiltrate. They can be the perfect place to get some interaction time with those hard to reach thought leaders. Take your time selecting the Groups you want to join, and only join if you intend to contribute and bring value to the table. Here’s your ideal place to win over with considered content and killer Qs that can set you apart from other candidates and could even be your opportunity to nab an intro.

• Be regular.

Keeping your profile updated and feed fed is essential. Employers are after on the ball, relevant talent that know the weight social currency holds. Post industry-relevant articles, comment on feed posts, congratulate new job winners, establish connections online as you meet them offline and use LinkedIn’s blog feature to become a thought leader / author. There’s loads of ways to keep yourself current and valuable. Consistency is key, if for no other reason than you don’t want to miss opps as they arise.

• Nab a custom URL.

Getting noticed by potential companies and employers is the holy grail of job searching. If they can find and contact you, you’re laughing. It’s no rocket science. Your first starting point is getting a custom URL (Linkedin.com / yourname). It makes it way easier to find you and you can share with ease. Keywords and snappy headlines play a pretty big part too. Grab attention and don’t be scared to be creative! Opt for playful, personality-filled labels, as long as they are balanced with relevant industry keyword elsewhere in the bio, and always talk in first person. Ditch buzzword heavy bios and opt for well written, number-related summaries. Add relevant stats and instant value markers to your content “I’ve helped 10,000 clients” or bullet relevant skills and accomplishments for a quick read tick.

• Use LinkedIn as your launchpad.

If you’re using LinkedIn to find that dream job, you need these connections to work for you. Utilising these connections is a whole other art form but be aware of real, authentic communications when you develop these relationships. Ideally, you want these interactions to turn into a phone call, a coffee meeting or even an office drop in. Get to grips with the big picture and gravitate towards connections most likely to transform into tangible leads for you (click to tweet).

Yes you can upgrade to a Premium account and of course you can intro-hunt until the cows come home but the key to using LinkedIn for job searching is strategic planning and authentic value. Just like every other social platform, LinkedIn becomes more impactful the more you use it. Don’t fall into the passive user category, becoming a casual checker that’s only interested in whether that little red flag has a new connection or profile view for you. Put in the time to become part of the LinkedIn community, it’s a powerful place where real connections and interactions are remembered.

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