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LinkedIn is a very popular online platform. It connects potential employees to companies looking to hire. The networking site has a lot of advantages and can prove to be beneficial career-wise. Almost every working person uses it. Hence, you can connect to leading people in your industry. The site is a very effective tool for marketing oneself.
What does marketing oneself mean? Simply put, it is a way to promote yourself. This is done by highlighting education and achievements and generally showing employers what you can do. This means that people become aware of who you are and the kind of work you do. Marketing yourself also helps people realise whether you are a good fit for their company.
So if you don't have a LinkedIn profile yet, create one today! If you do, here's how you can effectively use it to promote yourself to prospective employers.
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First, you need to appear on search lists of employers and hiring agents. The key to using LinkedIn in the best way possible is to ensure you're 'discoverable' to agencies and employers. Updating your location helps recruiters know where you are based. It also allows you to narrow down places of work.
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Once a hiring manager or a recruiter checks out your profile, what will they see? Remember, your LinkedIn profile is their first impression of you. HRs don't only check if you are interested in being hired. They look at your profile picture. They check your posts and interactions. They even check posts and images that you are tagged on. This helps give them an idea of the person you are. Ensure that your profile picture is clear and professional. It needs to be appealing to see and not taken in an inappropriate setting or a dimly lit room with a messy background. Not only your profile picture but even your cover photo also needs to be aesthetic. It could be anything, even a simple background.
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Update your bio! Keep it short and sweet. Mention what you do and what you are looking for. Think of it as marketing yourself using three sentences.
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Ensure your education, accomplishments and work history is up-to-date. Write only important points, so it isn't too cluttered. The HR needs only to see the key points. Too much information can make it looks messy and unorganised.
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It is essential that you use all your connections to your advantage. Connect with people from the same industry. Connect with coworkers and friends. It will help you come across as well-connected and with a friendly personality.
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Mention your previous jobs. Add the company you worked at and the work you did for them. This also increases your discoverability. Plus, it helps recruiters see what you are experienced at.
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You can also share posts about your accomplishments in the company. Show that you value your company by sharing company posts, blogs and articles.
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Share a few posts that talk about you in particular. It could be about your aim in life. It could be related to the work you do or your ideologies. This helps employees understand you.
Additionally, you can always endorse your peers and friends. They will likely endorse you as well. Recruiters check reviews and recommendations that you have left for companies and coworkers. The way you write these reviews is very important. Avoid leaving negative reviews for previous workplaces on LinkedIn.
Now that you know how to use LinkedIn effectively, go get that job! Create your free resume at Glow & Lovely Careers (formerly known as Fair & Lovely Career Foundation). All the best!