1/4/2011 3:52:35 PM
The ARM guide on how to find and secure a job using LinkedIn
In this article I am going to introduce how job seekers can
utilise the popular professional networking website LinkedIn in
their quest to find new career opportunities. To begin, all that
you will need is a registered LinkedIn account which can be
acquired by heading over to LinkedIn.com and registering.
Back to basics: setting up your profile & best
practice
Setting up your profile correctly is one of the most important
aspects of the process. Your LinkedIn profile can be publically
viewed and will represent you as a professional. There are even
suggestions that LinkedIn profiles may be considered an acceptable
form of résumé in the future. More importantly, your future
recruiter will be researching your profile prior to interview to
gauge your experience and fit within the company. If you wish to
promote a professional image of yourself you must ensure your
profile has a professional look and feel.
When editing your profile you must aim to achieve 100%
completion, ensuring every section has relevant information
relating to your current situation, and that you have secured at
least 3 recommendations from current or former colleagues or
clients. Your profile completeness can be found on the right hand
column of your LinkedIn profile when in edit mode. LinkedIn will
suggest what else needs to be completed to reach 100%
completion.
Content is key: an inside scoop on what a recruiter is looking
for!
- Ensure you have a professional profile
picture
You only get one chance to make a first impression. You wouldn’t
turn up to an interview in your casual wear, with a drink in your
hand, would you? Your profile picture, rightly or wrongly, will be
one of the first things that any other human being will look at!
Therefore, it goes without saying that a smart photo will pay great
dividends in promoting you as a professional.
- Detail your current and previous work
experience
An employer will want to know your experience, if you have
worked a company X Y and Z and gained vital skills in A B and C
then make sure you state it here. This is your opportunity to boast
about your previous experience if you have any.
- Sum yourself up in the summary!
Your summary allows you to round up who you are, what you’re
doing, where you want to go, and any other bits of information as
you see relevant. Consider this a section to sum you up in a few
quick and engaging paragraphs to sell yourself to a recruiter.
- State that you are looking for job enquiries in your
contact settings
Our consultants will regularly check whether you have stated
that you want to be contacted by recruiters for job enquiries. If
you have this section ticked then that is a great indicator for us
to contact you with job opportunities that match your profile.
- Make sure you input your current contact details in the
contact settings
If a recruiter thinks you’re perfect for a role they will want
to contact you pretty quickly. Make sure your contact details are
clearly displayed or you may miss out on an opportunity. And though
it will sound obvious, don’t forget to update your details, as soon
as you can, if they change.
- Finally, join the ARM Network for jobs, advice,
discussions and more!
Now that you have a profile completed and ready for use you can
join and be part of ARM’s
LinkedIn network. Why? To network with thousands of like-minded
professionals in your industry, share news and information relevant
to your sector, and, above all else, browse some fantastic contract
and perm job opportunities.
If you are looking for job hunting advice or would like one of
our sector recruitment specialists to help you to consider your
future career options, please feel free to leave questions on the
groups and one of our recruiters will be in contact with you.
Join the discussion, click me to learn more
If you have any further questions or feedback relating to our
LinkedIn network please comment on the blog below and I will
respond as soon as possible, alternatively you can contact me
directly on twitter, @ARM_SamHill.
Sam Hill
eMarketing Executive
Follow me on Twitter
Connect with me on LinkedIn
ARM