Secret Steps to Finding a Job on LinkedIn
According to a recent study that was conducted by ROI Research on behalf of Performics marketing agency, 59% of active social networkers say LinkedIn is their most important social media site when compared with Facebook and Twitter. I would tend to agree.
With over 100 million members in countries throughout the world, LinkedIn has become a great resource for job seekers and employers alike. While not many know, the social media site has a great add-on called LinkedIn Companion. It is available for free and can be downloaded for use with Internet Explorer (PC Only) or Firefox (Mac and PC).
- The toolbar provides quick and easy access to your LinkedIn information. It allows you to view profiles for those sending you web email, search your network from any website, share articles to multiple groups, bookmark profiles, and last, but not least, improve your job prospects by identifying people within your current network who may be able to connect you with hiring managers at companies currently posting ads to major job boards. Pretty neat stuff, huh?
- This feature is called the Jobs insider, and it is really amazing. I downloaded the tool to test it myself and put in the term “Director of Operations” just to see how it would work. I have a fairly large network within LinkedIn; and as expected, there were numerous connections of mine who were directly connected to multiple hiring managers and recruiters throughout the US who are currently advertising for director level operations opportunities.
- The Jobs insider tool also let me know exactly who my connection is connected to, so I was able to see the name of the actual hiring manager or recruiter who posted a job ad. I can see where this free ad-on could be extremely helpful to job seekers and recommend you give it a try based on my preliminary review.
The Jobs insider seems quite helpful because so many people complain that ads are blind posted and they never know who the actual hiring manager is. Using this tool could make you much more effective when conducting your online job searches. Having the name of a person is BIG. Getting an introduction from someone who knows you well can be a HUGE plus as well.
Don’t forget to take advantage of the general networking capabilities that LinkedIn offers. Join groups and actively participate. Build your personal brand by offering value when commenting on blog posts. Consider contributing within the Answers section. Post valuable articles that you think would be of interest to your network. Use the power of LinkedIn as one of the best social media resources to grow your career.
This blog's author, Debra Wheatman of Careers Done Write, provides executive career services including resume and cover letter preparation, job search / interviewing strategies and professional branding including how to effectively use LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media in your career.
Visit CareersDoneWrite.com to learn more about how we can put your career in gear with interview catching resumes and professionally written career documents.