With a new member joining LinkedIn every second, I thought it would be beneficial to talk about how LinkedIn can help you in your job search.
Ask A Manager’s Alison Green, wrote the article, How LinkedIn Can Transform Your Job Search, highlighting the important things to know in how to make the most of LinkedIn when applying for a job or getting ready for an interview.
These tips will help you successfully use LinkedIn in your job search.
Make Connections
You can’t just have a profile on LinkedIn, you need to make connections with friends, family, colleagues, peers, former coworkers, etc. I remember hearing once that you should only connect with people who you feel comfortable calling up if you have a favor to ask. It’s not like Facebook where you friend everyone you meet. These connections will provide you with other connections.
Ask for Referrals
You found a job to apply to and now want to get to know the hiring manager, so what do you do? Search for the hiring manager and see if you can find any pathways to that person. (In the right hand column, there will be a box that says, “How are you connected to_______.”) You might be surprised and find out that one of your uncle or aunt knows the hiring manager. Then ask them to introduce you to the hiring manager.
Research the Company or Individual
LinkedIn is a great source of information when it comes to learning more about a company or interviewer. You will be able to learn basic information about what the company does and find out who works for the company. You might discover that you know someone who knows someone that works for the company.
If you know the person who is going to be interviewing you, look them up on LinkedIn too. Find out where they went to school, who their past employers were and of course see if you have any connections to that person.
As you can probably tell, connections are everything. Everything in a job search depends on who you know.
What are other useful ways people can use LinkedIn in their job search?
