Simply having a LinkedIn profile is better than not having one at all. However, you’re missing out on great opportunities if you don’t take advantage of everything the platform has to offer. Whether you’re unemployed and searching for a job or if you’re ready to move on from your current employer, prioritizing LinkedIn profile development can be a great first step in getting into the position you want. Here are a few effective ways to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile during an executive job search.
Find Networking Opportunities
Any good professional LinkedIn profile writer will suggest using the platform as a way to reach out to people and discover networking opportunities. One of the worst things you can do is find people who work at the company you’re interested in and messaging them to let them know you’re searching for a job. The better approach would be to do your research and find mutual connections so you have a way to connect with the person. Invite them to a networking event you will be attending in the near future, or maybe even invite them to coffee or lunch just to discuss career opportunities.
Complete Your Profile With Relevant Keywords
Your LinkedIn executive profile won’t help your job search if you don’t have the right amount of relevant keywords. Employers have a specific set of search terms they likely use to find qualified candidates, so working with a professional LinkedIn profile writer to ensure they are incorporated properly is very valuable. The keywords themselves are important, but the location of the keywords is also an overlooked factor. SEO is a big part of LinkedIn, so focusing on it as part of your LinkedIn profile development is critical.
Inform Your Connections of Your Job Search
There’s usually no harm in letting your connections know you’re actively looking for a job. Of course, the only problem this could cause is if you’re still employed and your current employer somehow finds out about your messages. But if you’re unemployed, a professional LinkedIn profile writer may suggest putting a message in your contact section indicating you’re open to opportunities. Sometimes recruiters will only reach out to people if they know for sure they are looking for a new job.
Professional Resume Services is here to help you utilize the most important aspects of LinkedIn to boost your job search efforts. While the platform is an important one to be on and be active with during your job search, there are plenty of wrong ways to use it as well. If you haven’t had to go through a job search in a while, it’s understandably difficult to know exactly what you need to do. When you find yourself in this situation, feel free to reach out to us at any time and we will guide you along the way.