Utilising Linkedin Correctly

Jayne was recently approached by Danny of TIRO (Travel Industry Recruitment Opportunities) to offer some advice on the dos and don’ts of using Linkedin. If you missed the podcast here are some highlights of what Jayne said:

If you’re only using LinkedIn as an online CV, you’re missing out!

A lot of people make the mistake of thinking Linkedin is a place to show their CV and it’s so much more than that.

LinkedIn is a professional networking site that can actually help you get hired faster (even if you’re not looking for a new job right now!). LinkedIn can help you grow your network, connect with employees working for companies you aspire to work for and host your job applications in one place.

There isn’t much guidance available about how to actually use LinkedIn once you’ve created a profile, so here are a few handy tips to get you started.

Do

1. Complete your profile, this builds credibility including adding your own URL. Linkedin offers you the chance to add more than your job title, use it. You will be less likely to appear in LinkedIn search results if you settle for the default LinkedIn Headline. Use buzz words. For example if you are in sales and are an expert in selling Latin America, say so. Don’t put “actively seeking positions” – that tells employers nothing about what you do or why they should care. Make your headline about your skills and how you can help them.
2. Use a professional profile picture or one of you in action at work, now is not the time to include your loved ones and cats. Also add your background photo, use a picture of you at work or something that makes you stand out but keep it professional.
3. Turn off your update notifications, this will ensure your connections and in particular your employers will not be prompted to look at your profile.
4. Connect to other industry professionals or company employees working for businesses you aspire to work for. You could also follow individuals and companies but don’t just connect to have lots of connections. It’s important that any connection you know of/know or there’s a purpose to you connection. I get lots and it baffles me.
5. Engage and like comments, don’t be a LinkedIn Crawler, someone that just scrolls through. Show your connections you appreciate them and celebrate their successes. These are subtle ways of increasing your profile and building your personal brand. It’s also an excellent way to build your rapport.

Don’t

1. Don’t falsify your profile or leave off some of your former employers. It’s important your profile is in sync with your CV as many employers and recruiters will review your CV alongside your LinkedIn profile. Don’t sell yourself short and equally don’t lie. It’s easier to explain once you have an interview than to not get one based on discrepancies. By not completing your profile it can raise question marks.
2. Do nothing on Linkedin, you’ve set yourself up, now start to engage.
3. Don’t confuse Linkedin with Facebook. Linkedin is a professional business forum, keep what you did at the weekend with the family to other channels. But of course anything that shows personal achievement is totally acceptable.
4. Don’t ignore emails. You may not be actively seeking a new role, but just be polite and thank you but not now.
5. Don’t make your profile invisible – In fact, most hiring managers and recruiters will move on to a more accessible LinkedIn profiles if you have set strict privacy settings.

Finally – Copy What Works for Other People

This is one of my favourite LinkedIn tricks, and one of the easiest, too…