8 Secrets for Using LinkedIn to Land Your Next Job

by Michael S. Seaver

Career advancement in the 21st century looks drastically different than it did even a decade ago. Climbing the proverbial corporate ladder isn’t as much of an option as organizations outsource, offshore and flatten their hierarchies. Instead, you have to continually develop your personal suite of skills by taking lateral moves, and sometimes steps backwards, that help you move towards the fulfillment of your larger personal mission. There are thousands of online portals that allow you to look for meaningful work, but the most important piece of professional online real estate you can have is a LinkedIn profile. Here are eight (8) insider tips to ensure your profile is robust and noticed daily.

1. 85% of Job Opportunities Come Out of 2nd Level Connections – A LinkedIn employee shared the research at an event I attended recently. I encourage you to review your connections’ profiles, learn about who they’re connected to and ask for appropriate introductions. There is a high probability that your connection’s connection will help you land your next job.

2. Success Patterns of Other People – If you review the profiles of five people that currently hold your ideal job, look back at the progression in their careers to help you craft your story and resume. Attempt to use their keywords or phrases in the development of your resume and LinkedIn profile. The steps in their careers will open your eyes to paths that you may not have considered before. 

5. Your Top 5 Endorsed Skills = Your Personal Brand – There is significant power in how people perceive you. If you are struggling to identify your personal brand message, review your profile to see the top three to five skills that others have endorsed you for. If others perceive you as already having specific strengths, be sure to leverage those ideas in your cover letters, 30-second commercials and when interviewing.

See all 8 secrets and the complete article 

10 Tips For Effectively Using Your LinkedIn Status Update

by Andy Robinson

One of the features of LinkedIn that tends to be underutilized is the “LinkedIn Status Update” (also called your “Network Update”) in your LinkedIn Profile. Your status update “block” is a white box located just below your picture on your “View My Profile” page. If you don’t see such a block, then you’ve not posted a status update.

From your LinkedIn home page or your “Edit My Profile” page, you can change your status update as frequently as you desire. EVERY time you update your status, the home page of ALL of your network connections is “pinged” with your status update. Status updates are also distributed to your network via email when LinkedIn sends you your weekly “Network Update.” Your latest status update is always displayed on your LinkedIn profile.

Your status updated is limited to 140 characters – just like Twitter – so keep that in mind, particularly when cutting and pasting information into your status update “window.”

Updating your LinkedIn status is a great way to communicate to your network on a frequent and ongoing basis. I update my status at least once each day with different types of information. 10 tips for effectively using your status update to distribute useful information are presented below:

1. Insert the title and a “shortened” URL link to one of your recent blog articles. Bit.ly is a great resource for shortening URL’s.

2. Insert the title and a “shortened” URL to a blog article you read and really liked. Particularly one that is timely, informative and relates to your “brand” or area of specialty in some way.

3. A link to a newsworthy web posting or news item. Include the title and a shortened URL. Alignment with you brand “voice” or area of specialty makes it more powerful. I like to focus on POSITIVE news as opposed to negative news.

Tips 4-10 and the complete Careerealism article

How To Use LinkedIn To Get Discovered By Recruiters - Webinar

In resumes, job applications, and cover letters, keywords (when used properly) will differentiate you from every other candidate. Keywords are used to categorize you based on your skills, expertise, experiences, and talents. LinkedIn Skills are these Keywords in your LinkedIn Profile.

LinkedIn Skills are a vital part of your LinkedIn profile. It’s important to pick Skills that exist in LinkedIn that represent who you are and what you do. During this webinar, we will show you how to pick the best Skills for your career and business goals as well as how to remove Skills that are irrelevant to your career goals and why.

Proper use of LinkedIn Skills will help your LinkedIn Profile to be discovered and reviewed by recruiters, hiring managers, HR professionals and even business owners searching for new team members.

You don’t just put LinkedIn Skills in the LinkedIn Skills area. This will minimize their power.

There are at least nine different areas of your LinkedIn Profile where your top LinkedIn Skills should show up. We will show you where to put them and why.

In this webinar we will show you how recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates and why properly used LinkedIn Skills can position you above other candidates in the search results. Having a great LinkedIn Profile and using your Skills properly gets you numerous advantages over every other candidate.

Is being found before other candidates important to you? If you don’t put extra efforts into being found over other candidates, you’ll be just like every other candidate, average and at the mercy of the merciless Applicant Tracking Systems.
Attend this webinar and learn:

• Where LinkedIn Search actually searches
• What key areas of LinkedIn Profile to add your Skill words/phrases
• How to get your LinkedIn Profile found first

Watch This Webinar!

Attend this webinar and create advantages that other candidates don’t have. Join us for this special webinar on Wednesday, July 30 from 1-2pm EDT to find out how to use LinkedIn to get discovered by recruiters!

Register for the webinar

LinkedIn debuts new Job Search iPhone app for finding your dream career

LinkedIn has been busy over the past few months redirecting its mobile and feature initiatives after it launched then pulled its Intro service for iOS and replaced its own CardMunch app with integration with Evernote’s business card reading feature.

LinkedIn’s news continues today as it launches a standalone iPhone app for dedicated to job hunting. The iPhone app is called LinkedIn Job Search and it joins the primary LinkedIn app as well as LinkedIn Pulse, LinkedIn Contacts, and the social network’s other existing mobile applications. The app takes advantage of location data and push notifications to keep job hunters updated with relevant opportunities based on a set criteria. LinkedIn describes the app as follows:

LinkedIn Job Search puts the job-finding power of LinkedIn in the palm of your hand with:
· Quick and easy search based on title, location, or keywords
· Recommended jobs based on saved searches, jobs you’ve viewed, and your LinkedIn profile
· Notifications when new jobs match what you’re looking for
· A super-simple application process using your LinkedIn profile
· Total privacy – your network won’t hear a thing about your in-app activity

Read the rest of the original article

6 Recruiter-Recommended LinkedIn Tips

by Kyra Mancine

Many recruiters and staffing managers rely on LinkedIn extensively when sourcing candidates. Whether you're employed or looking for a job, keeping your profile up-to-date is important. Maximize your profile, target your activity and you WILL get noticed.

1) Make the most of stealth mode. If you're updating your profile and DON'T want people to see every change you make, go into settings and click on "Turn on/off your activity broadcasts." This is highly recommended if you're employed and looking for new opportunities. It can look suspicious to your current employer and colleagues if they start to see you making additions to your page.



5) Make your status updates count.  Don't be "me" focused. Even though your LinkedIn page is obviously about you, it's better to offer your connections information that's relevant to THEM. You don't have to create the content yourself. Search Google and Yahoo for industry articles, career related content, etc. Don't be controversial. Safe topics can include workplace satisfaction, how to be more productive during the day, interview advice, etc. Remember, any time one of your connections comments and likes your status update, all their connections see it as well.

See all six tips and the complete article

LinkedIn: 5 job search success stories

ByAmy Levin-Epstein

(MoneyWatch) Are you on LinkedIn? Whether or not you're looking for a job, if you're interested in career growth, it is probably part of your social media strategy. With more than 238 million members globally, it's the largest professional networking site in the world. This blog has covered various ways to maximize your LinkedIn presence, from building a great profile to using it more efficiently to avoid common mistakes people make when using it. But recently, I asked the folks at LinkedIn if people really get jobs from the site. Instead of just saying yes, they gave me these inspiring success stories. Have you gotten a job from LinkedIn?


Jacob Erlick/pricing analyst/Southwest Airlines/Dallas, Texas
Jacob had dreamed about working at Southwest Airlines for as long as he can remember. He applied and interviewed for internships and full-time jobs to no avail. But after each meeting, he connected with each Southwest employee and recruiter on LinkedIn. With a growing family to support, he eventually accepted a job at a B2B IT company. Then one day he noticed that Linkedin's "People You May Know" module suggested he connect with a Southwest recruiter he was linked to through another connection. He sent the recruiter a connection request and she responded asking if he had time to chat about a job opening. On Aug. 27, 2012, Jacob joined Southwest.


Rachel Abady/associate video programming manager/AOL/New York, N.Y.
Rachel used LinkedIn to get hired as an AOL associate video programming manager while she was a senior at Barnard College. The twist: She used her dad's profile -- not her own -- because she thought LinkedIn was only for "50-year-olds." Using her dad's profile, she visited his alma mater's (Colgate University) LinkedIn Group. There she noticed a posting by a recruiter who worked at AOL and was looking for a business development intern. She InMailed the recruiter, who found her to be quite resourceful, and the rest is history.

Read 3 more success stories and the complete MoneyWatch article

10 Tips for Mastering LinkedIn

Jason Fell

LinkedIn is the social network for the professional crowd. It can be a fantastic resource for networking, hiring or finding a job, gathering sales leads, staying up-to-date on industry news and participating in the conversation.

But for entrepreneurs who are just starting up, or perhaps less social-media savvy than others, making the most of LinkedIn can seem kind of daunting.

It doesn't have to be. Below are some proven tips to help you use LinkedIn to its fullest potential for your business. 

1. Fill out your page completely with all the important details of your business.
First off, an incomplete profile simply doesn't look good on LinkedIn. So make sure you fill out all the sections that apply to your business.


Be sure to put the most critical details about yourself or your business on top, so people won't miss them. Explain exactly what your company is, who your clients are and how you help them. Also showcase your products by filling out the "Products and Services" section of your company page. 

2. Highlight your expertise.
One great way to connect with people is by positioning yourself as an expert in your industry. Others may come to you seeking professional advice and insight. Real relationships can be born.

One way to do this is to post articles you've written about your business and industry. Also be sure to share work samples or white papers to the "Pages" section. On your profile, note any honors or awards you have received. Also get endorsements and recommendations.

Ways 3-10 and the complete Entrepreneur article

20 LinkedIn Mistakes to Avoid

by Jeff Bullas

We all make mistakes, it’s just that some are bigger than others.

When it comes to online mistakes on the social web, they are amplified.  This is because the “one to one” communication is now “one to many”.

One of those social media networks that multiplies mistakes as well as amplifying your connections and content is LinkedIn. With the recent opening up of its “publishing platform” to all of its members, the rising importance of Linkedin is now even more evident.

With Linkedin’s membership now passing 300 million professionals, not looking like a “dork” is important in front of that size crowd.

LinkedIn mistakes to avoid

Here are 20 LinkedIn mistakes to watch out for if you want to look professional and succeed on Linkedin.

1. Dont send spammy messages to your connections
2. Don’t over post – once a day is good
3. Don’t ask people you don’t know for Linkedin recommendations
4. Don’t criticize or comment negatively on posts in groups
5. Do not post self serving content in groups that holds no value to members

Mistakes 6-20 and the complete Jeff Bullas post

The LinkedIn Message That (Seriously) Annoys Your Contacts

The Muse

An friend of mine emailed me the other day, irritated by a message she’d just received in her LinkedIn inbox. Sent by a recent college grad she had briefly met at a networking event a few weeks prior, the message read:

I was wondering if you could introduce me to [name of very high-level contact]. I have just applied to a position at [company] and I see that she is the VP there. If you could introduce me to her ASAP that would be great.

I could see why my friend was irked. While the sender’s intentions may have been on the right track (“Ooh! I see that someone in my network knows the hiring manager at my dream job!”), she had broken one of the cardinal rules of LinkedIn: Being connected to someone on LinkedIn does not mean that you have a relationship with that person—or that the person would be willing to vouch for you, introduce you to his or her contacts, or otherwise help you unless there’s a pretty good reason.

In other words, there was no way that my friend—who had a closer relationship with her last checker at Trader Joe’s than she did with this woman—was going to go out on a limb to introduce her to one of her most important contacts just because they were connected on LinkedIn. She deleted the message without responding.

This story reminded me that this seemingly simple advice bears repeating: Before you ask for anything from someone in your network, you absolutely must build a relationship.


But what exactly does building a relationship look like, especially when you really need help, um, now? Here’s a LinkedIn message script you can use in similar situations for any of your not-so-close connections. While I can’t promise you’ll get a response, I guarantee your chances will be a whole lot better.

Read the script and the complete Forbes article

5 Strategies for Growing Your LinkedIn Influence when Job Searching

Carla Gadyt

Building LinkedIn influence is the key to becoming both the trusted authority and the likable expert in your industry and this can have a huge impact when you're job searching.

Many people that are job searching have a Linkedin presence, after all it is one the key business social media networks.

But few people are really seriously investing their time on Linkedin trough optimising their profile, making connections, interacting in groups, etc. And the key for a successful Linkedin presence is indeed being commited to dedicate a few hours per week to it. Just having a profile is not enough if the goal is to grow influence and reach key people that can help your job search.

Here are 5 essential strategies to build your Linkedin influence when you're job searching (that you can start doing just after reading this article!):

1. Join and interact in groups
Groups are a great Linkedin resource. There are many related to specific industries, themes and networking. Search and join them and then regularly use them to build your influence.
How? By sharing valuable content, posting great discussions and also by commenting to others discussions by posting really interesting and valuable information that catches the attention. If you happen to have written a blog post about a certain topic that is being discussed, post your post link in your reply too, as long as the post is really relevant and valuable.

If you consistently interact and engage on Linkedin groups and deliver real value, you'll get knowned and recognised, growing your influence.

2. Share great content
We already talked about this on the previous tip, but the reason I'm telling this again is because Linkedin groups are not the only place to post great content.
You have your own status updates and can even share your entire blog posts via the new Linkedin Publishing Platform! How cool is this?

Whether you're sharing your own blog posts or sharing other's content, make sure it is really interesting and valuable. Your goals are to help others solve certain issues, give them key information and be seen as an influencer.

3. Connect with your Linkedin connections  - Find out more about #3, 4&5, and the complete article

15 Expert Tips for Using LinkedIn in Your Job Search in 2014

By Jessica Holbrook Hernandez

It’s no wonder that LinkedIn has become such a critical tool in a successful job search—with job boards charging hundreds of dollars to post openings and hundreds of unqualified applicants flooding employers’ in-boxes, LinkedIn has exactly what HR is looking for—free or low-cost resources and a trusted network of connections right at its fingertips. So I tapped into my wonderful network of colleagues and asked them to provide their best LinkedIn job search tips to share with you. I just couldn’t tackle a topic so near and dear to my heart without some expert help. What does that mean for you? You’re going to get the best expert tips on leveraging the power of LinkedIn for your job search in 2014 — right now. Below I’m going to share with you their LinkedIn tips … and may your social networking on LinkedIn be forever changed—for the BETTER! You’re going to love this list!

BE CREATIVE
Job seekers should create a lively, intriguing visual portfolio using the newest “links or uploads” feature in your bio and work history. Employers love to scan profiles; show them something you’ve done that’s impressive, whether it’s a publication, article contribution, presentation, or fiscal predictions. Get creative! —Ritika Trikha, CareerBliss Writer

MONITOR WHAT OTHERS SEE
In the process of revamping your LinkedIn profile? Deselect “Let people know when you change your profile, make recommendations, or follow companies” under the Profile Privacy Controls section. Then you can make as many edits as needed without notifying your contacts each time that that you do. —Jennifer L. Lopez, Project Assistant: Social Media • Blogging • Marketing DiscoverCorrections.com

Check the success of your LinkedIn posts. A new section called “Who’s Viewed Your Updates,” located below the ticker that counts your profile views, tells you whether and how many times your posts and shares are read, clicked, and commented on. —Amy Adler, Five Strengths Career Transition Experts

KEYWORDS
What phrase would you search to find someone like you? Use long-tail keywords in your headline, body, and throughout your profile that uniquely describe your professional expertise. —Amy Adler, Five Strengths Career Transition Experts


Keep a keyword count. Choose 1-2 keywords most relevant to your job search goals, and make sure those keywords are incorporated within the sections of your profile that rank keywords highest: your headline, previous job titles, career summary, and work history descriptions. On LinkedIn, the people with the most instances of a particular keyword within these sections of their profiles rank highest in search results. The only way to be ranked higher than someone who has fewer occurrences of that particular keyword than you do is to have more recommendations from connections. —Jessica Hernandez, President of Great Resumes Fast

See all 15 expert tips and the complete article

LinkedIn Updates Keep Your Personal Brand Top-of-Mind

by Meg Guiseppi

One of the many benefits of using LinkedIn for job search is the ability to stay top-of-mind with your network – which should include employees at your target companies and recruiters, along with your various professional contacts.

Posting relevant updates to your “Activity Feed” is a relatively quick and easy way to do this.

Get into a routine of posting updates once a week, or at least a few times a month.

You’ll find the blank field displayed at the very top left-hand side of your LinkedIn home page, with the lightly printed phrase “Share an update” – ready for you to type over when you add an update.

Along with reminding your network about you, these updates reinforce your brand, subject matter expertise, and value to your target employers. And your updates represent another opportunity to brand your profile with relevant key words, so keep your brand and ROI in mind when you post an update.

First, select an option for your Activity Feed by going to “Settings,” then “Select who can see your activity feed.” You can choose from – Everyone, Your Network, Your Connections, or Only You.

To extend your message as far as possible, select either Your Network or Everyone. And include a link in the update that leads to further information, if applicable.

Ideas for LinkedIn Updates

• An online article, blog post, or white paper you’ve published
• An online article, blog post, or white paper that mentions or quotes you
• An online article, blog post, or white paper, written by anyone, that is relevant to your niche

Read more Ideas and the complete article

6 Tips for Expanding Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn

BY Susan Gilbert

If your personal brand is on LinkedIn this is just the first step to unlocking all of its potential. Having a complete, and professional profile is good practice, but to be effective there are several opportunities the network has to offer that many people miss.

So what are some ways you can make the best out of your brand’s LinkedIn profile? By knowing what areas to focus on, and take advantage of. You will be surprised by how many different opportunities are being offered here.

LinkedIn profiles are a virtual business card gold mine, and are commonly overlooked, as building a personal brand is all about showing the best that you have to offer. Gone are the days of the Rolodex files. It’s time to tap into a powerful networking tool.


Here are several ways you can take your personal brand to the next level and get noticed by top industry players and potential leads.

1. Take advantage of notifications – See what other LinkedIn users are doing in their careers and use this feature as an opportunity to congratulate them. This can lead to a new customer or high level connection. It is also a great way to perform research on brands in your niche.


2. Connect with related brands – LinkedIn provides a great way to see others’ connections, and to evaluate whether these people would be a good fit for your network. While there are many more users in various careers than just a couple of years ago, the network provides an easy way to map out who to contact based on your brand’s network. Take the time to research a person or company, and watch for new opportunities in the Invitations section next to your Inbox.

Tips 3-6 and the complete Entrepreneur.com article