5 Ways LinkedIn Works for Your Career

Any job seeker can reach their goal much faster with the use of job search engines and career platforms. You shouldn’t miss any opportunity that comes your way.

What works best is to find the best linkedin resume service and up not just your resume but also your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is the new Indeed now, so having a profile is no longer optional. For those who’re still unsure, here’s how LinkedIn can help any professional advance their career.

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/auITmXWF3Qw 

#1 LinkedIn Is the First Place Where Recruiters and Hiring Managers Look for Candidates 

In the past, most recruiters and hiring managers would rely on their networks and job search engines akin to Indeed or Glassdoor. They still do, but it’s no longer the place where they go first. The first platform where professionals from recruiting firms are looking for job seekers is LinkedIn now.

That’s why it’s so important to make your profile not only professional-looking and memorable but also easy to find. Sure, all the standard information an employee typically includes in their resume still matters, meaning one’s qualification, key skills, and work experience. Don’t neglect any of these, and get professional help from a career advice expert if you feel like you need it.

But a candidate who wants to get more interviews and eventually land a job should also care about the keywords. LinkedIn SEO helps one’s resume appear in search results and rank high. This way, the chances that a recruiter or even a couple of potential employers see it go up. So, include relevant role titles and words pointing to your preferred industry.

#2 Job Seekers Can Communicate With Recruiters

One of the main benefits of LinkedIn for both an applicant and a recruiter is that it allows direct contact between people looking for a job and companies in search of employees. Some candidates still feel awkward writing first. They are concerned that a recruiter (or a potential employer, if the company is a small one) won’t appreciate their enthusiasm.

This isn’t the case, though. Employer and recruiter surveys reveal that they actually value proactive job seekers, especially when the candidate writing to them seems great for a job listing it has. Instead of appearing desperate (which job seekers should indeed avoid), you’ll come off as goal-oriented and willing to take the initiative.

Experts recommend writing to the hiring manager of the company you are interested in via InMail, preferably on Sunday or Monday. But first, make sure that your profile is flawless and matches the position you’re aiming for. 

If in doubt, consider hiring a professional from one of the best recommended resume writing services in 2022 (or at least reading resume-writing advice and other career resources). It will help you boost your confidence and chances of landing an interview.

#3 LinkedIn Profile Can Include Proof of Training and Skills

One of the things that made it difficult for job seekers to craft a winning resume in the past was that they could not attach any proof of training and accomplishments. They could send any certificates and other documents via email only after a hiring manager or recruiter had contacted them.

Thanks to LinkedIn, this is no longer the case. You can add any certificates to your profile. The most popular online education platforms (for example, Coursera) even offer LinkedIn-oriented proof of training. Most importantly, consider asking your connections to endorse your skills. This way, recruiters will see that your profile isn’t just empty words.

#4 LinkedIn Is Great for Building Your Network

Basically, everyone is on LinkedIn now. So, it’s easy to build and maintain your network. It’ll serve your career again and again. While this depends on who you want your network to consist of, here are some of the people you should consider adding to your contacts:

• high school contacts (as long as they’re in the same or similar industry as you);
• other alumni of your university;
• members of the faculty and other academic contacts;
• past work colleagues;
• current colleagues;
• everyone you’ve met at academic and work-related events.

And don’t just add them to your contacts—engage. After all, one of the main advantages of LinkedIn compared to older job search engines is that it’s basically social media. It’s possible that one day, one of these people will help you land an interview for your dream job.

#5 LinkedIn Groups

Finally, don’t underestimate how helpful LinkedIn groups can be. You may think that writing there is a waste of time and won’t do anything for your career. But that’s a big mistake. First, if you stick to the groups related to your industry and line of work, you’ll learn a lot from other professionals. Never miss out on new knowledge, especially when it’s free.

Also, if you are active enough, you can eventually become a noticeable member and attract hiring managers’ or potential employers’ attention. Surveys reveal that a lot of them do check such groups. They are assessing writers’ expertise and personality and can totally message those who look like a good match for one of the job openings at their company.

So, How Can You Maximize the Potential of Your LinkedIn Profile?

The best thing you can do to make LinkedIn serve your career goals is to find a resume writing business or a LinkedIn consulting expert to polish your profile. But at least tailor your headline, include keywords, and constantly update your profile to match your current career interests. And spend a couple of hours a week in LinkedIn groups.