7 Strategies to Land a Job Using Linkedin

Welcome to this week’s Personal Brand Brief! You’re joining a community of 15,006 readers! Looking for Linkedin tips to land your next job? Today’s article is full of gems. Are you a student looking to master LinkedIn? Check out this 30 min LinkedIn 101 course I put together. I’m giving readers 50% off this week to thank them for subscribing. Grab your copy here! ??

This week’s set up:

?? Problem: We’re told to apply to jobs online and we give up (or burn out) when that process doesn’t work

?? Solution: Build relationships, ask good questions, and create your own opportunities on LinkedIn

?? Next play: Implement one of these strategies, and let me know how it goes 3 months from now

1. Be the biggest champion of someone's ideas ??

When you show up regularly, people notice. Building new relationships on LinkedIn is no different. Take time to follow your favourite industry leader and you’ll be amazed what can happen. When you like, comment and share their work in a genuine way and you’ll be surprised what doors can open. Make them see your face as you interact each week of the year.

Be a positive force, follow up, ask questions, and help other people get noticed. In the process, people will notice you and start to ask what you’re up to or looking to do in the future.

Or better yet, send them something of value that aligns with their brand:

Example: A reader of this newsletter from Brazil (Robson Severo) actually sent me a professionally branded PDF I could share to future readers that have questions. You can guarantee I'll keep him in mind when I need design help and tell my friends the story: 

2. Start an interview series to ask questions to top leaders in your niche ??

For example, if you want to land a job in marketing, start a podcast about marketing. Interview different directors of marketing across North America. It’s free, fun and builds your portfolio.

Build out a series. Create a website. Facilitate great ideas. When you set up those chats, edit the recordings and share the result with your audience-- a buzz will build.

That buzz is contagious and will draw recruiters and CEOs in. When a listener intrigues you, strike up a conversation.

Hint: people are likely to respond to messages when something’s of help to them (ie. giving them a chance to share their knowledge, honouring them in their career, or helping them gain social credibility in front of an audience). 

?? Podcast I’ve been loving lately: Creator Lab by Bilal Zadi. 

3. Start curating great ideas you’re learning on a particular topic ??

Develop a newsletter or a content page that recycles thoughts you're learning from. Turn your hard work learning and researching into a centre of information that others can access. 

If it’s helpful to them, they’ll remember you (see Strategy 5).

When you become a thought leader or reference page in someone’s mind, they’re 200% more likely to remember you and keep a tab on projects you’re working on. When an aligned idea comes to mind, they’ll send you a message to get your take.

?? That’s when you can say:

“I’d love to help you with this. Are you hiring?” 

4. Use events as an opportunity to meet company leaders & recruiters ??

It could be an online webinar or a future in-person event. Whatever it is, be someone who’s ready, shows up engaged, asks thoughtful questions, and helps as needed. People will remember you if you do.

If you’re not sure how to find online events in your target industry, use the LinkedIn search bar!

?? Low hanging fruit: message and reach out to the event planners / speakers!

They 1) love to chat; 2) are open to idea sharing since they’re public facing; 3) likely know of people hiring in your niche!

5. Develop your own trustable personal brand online ??

The very fact that you’re on LinkedIn means that you already have a head-start. Make an effort to post regularly around your niche and add value to your community. Comment on other posts. Encourage people (see Strategy 1). 

And most importantly, be yourself. Because people will like learning about you. (Check out this sweet cover photo example and message the creator, Nolan, if you like it!) ??

The more eye catching your profile is, the easier it is for a CEO or recruiter to remember you at their staff meetings ;)

6. Send 3 messages/day to people in the recruiter/HR space that you’re looking to connect with ??

Arrange coffee interviews or find other ways to ask good questions about a specific role/company. Research career coaches on LinkedIn like Madeline Mann for interview hacks, application tips, and much more. ??

Keep a google sheet to track those relationships, what you’ve asked, and the tips you’ve been given. ?? 

And make sure you do some research on what not to do and what to do.

Anastasia Ecin does an incredible job at sharing these job application insights:

7. Create your own job description ??

After you’ve created relationships on LinkedIn, reach out to see if you can create your own internship role or assist through part-time consulting. 

Last time I checked, there’s no crime against being creative. And even if it DOESN’T work, I can’t name a better way to show initiative ??

The key is learning where your connections have needs. If people see the social proof of what you’ve done, they’ll be likely to take you up on your offer. 

?? For example, try asking:

“Can I help you with graphic design or copyediting or SEO or _________? I’m looking to build my portfolio, and I’ve noticed that you might want help with ________.” 

Bonus tip: ??

Chat with others to see what they’ve done successfully and reverse engineer it for your own wins. People are finding creative ways like this and this to get other people’s attention. Harness that kind of energy and apply it to your own situation. 

If you use these 7 strategies, I’m sure you’ll see a difference in your job search.

 Got another tip to add in that I missed? Drop it in the comments below! ????

?? Deal of the Day ??

After getting quite a few messages from students that are interested in learning how to land a job using LinkedIn, I developed a special video series just for you:

As a special promotion, the readers of this newsletter can pre-order my NEW LinkedIn 101 Course for Students for 50% OFF this week! Just use the discount code "NEWSLETTERVIP" or click here to get the code pre-loaded! ??

The course is a 30 minute deep dive into all things LinkedIn and how to position yourself in front of brands to notice you. It includes 4 additional downloads, formulas for outreach scripts, and easy screen shares on how to chat with recruiters. Click here to learn more.

Thanks for sticking with me until the end. If you have any ideas or questions that sparked, drop me a note here!

 Stay outta’ trouble and catch you next week.

??? Joel