How to use LinkedIn to find a job

How to get recruiters to notice you?

What to say on LinkedIn job search?

How does a beginner start with LinkedIn?

Do your questions look like these? This is Your 10-min guide to all things LinkedIn. While we’ve all heard of LinkedIn at some point or other, we all need a crash course in its intricacies. Let’s go and check some tips to get INTO LinkedIn and not just ON it.

First things first; you want to be seen, not just exist. It might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s a tip worth mentioning. Your profile should be COMPLETE. It needs to include a Headshot, background picture, headline, a crisp experience section, education, your strongest skills, and a summary. If You need more details, we got you.

Learn to write an Attention Seeking Headline. And no, don’t write “seeking a job” or “looking for opportunities”. Make sure it is Role-specific, add your industry and your experience, and Voila!  

*Bonus tip: Add the title to the job you are looking for. Your headline is something people see even before they learn about you, don’t mess it up.! 

Take advantage of the Easy Apply feature of LinkedIn, and search using keywords, titles, locations, or companies. Around 45% of jobs have this feature and you can submit your resume in minutes. This way you save time and effort. There are so many filters you could use for a better outcome. Still confused? Here’s how LinkedIn explains.

Use Metrics and Numbers whenever you provide essential data. Even with your accomplishments, using descriptions that include numbers, it gives an exact expression to your one-liners. Look for 1000+ customers, we didn’t need to put that in bold for you to read now, did we?.

Use your Skills, each recruiter looks up a set of skills when looking for an employee, LinkedIn allows you to fill up to 50 skills, make sure you make the most out of it. 

If you need Ideas regarding what to put into your skills, look for resume(s) for similar job profiles. But make sure you use the right set of skills to describe you and to get the correct attention.

One thing people often take casually (and is not) is their Profile Picture, you don’t need a picture in a suit and tie, but no one is looking for beach pictures either. A few important things to take care of while choosing your picture are High-resolution, the right expression, a decent background, and most importantly! it shall only have you. It’s  called Headshot for a reason.

Don’t miss an opportunity with LinkedIn’s Job Alerts. Job alerts are sent to you based on the positions of your interest even when you are offline. The perks of this feature are you don’t have to check frequently and you also hear about new firms. You have to turn on Job alerts once you’ve finished updating your profile. Need a visual understanding of what you just read, LinkedIn to rescue!

The key to being seen is to Engage, try commenting, or even post a trendy take. Most times when you are active, you make more connections. Build a network this way, keep connecting and an opportunity can come your way from any direction. A comment on an influencer’s post might just land you an interview. You can use LinkedIn to make connections and strengthen your network, apart from just applying for jobs.

Do not Copy Paste, each recruiter looks for creativity with the skill set or summary, copy and pasting might ruin your chances of jumping up to a list. Authenticity is Key!!

And lastly, remember, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, you need to be patient yet observant. Keep engaging with people. Connect with former employers and colleagues, they are the ones who know you and your working style. Look up people in the same industry, some of them may know just the right opportunity for your brilliant future career.