Avoid the 7 Deadly Sins of LinkedIn Job Searches

I have to say I have found LinkedIn to be the single most powerful tool for job searches--on both sides of the aisle. I have personally landed several senior roles via LinkedIn over the years; and my current company Fine Hygienic Holding uses the platform to fill 100% of our hiring needs. And we have built an impressive team of top talents through exclusive use of the tool. Yes, I would have to say LinkedIn has been a blessing when it comes to job search.

Whilst it's one man's view, I do see a huge number of people who don't use the site optimally and in their bumbling around they kill their chances to land a role. I often see people posting their frustration that LinkedIn has done "nothing" to help them find a role. In these cases, it's not LinkedIn's problem--it's a problem with the individual and how they are using the platform.

Based upon my own experiences on both sides of the job search on LinkedIn, here are the "7 Deadly Sins" of LinkedIn use that I would recommend you avoid---if you are looking for that next opportunity.

1. Build a profile and then wait for the offers to roll in.

Unless you are Obama or Bono, don't be too impressed with your profile to the point you think the world will flock to your profile all by themselves! LinkedIn has recently crossed over 575 MILLION users worldwide. That would make LinkedIn, if it were a nation, the world #3 after China and India. It's a whopping 77% bigger than the entire US population! We are all just a blip on the screen. You must work the site! You must stand out. Be active. Chase things. You gotta work for an opportunity! Just having a profile and hoping it will work like a magnet is more than likely going to leave you frustrated. It's not a passive platform. LinkedIn rewards those who work the site!

2. By-Pass everybody and write directly to the CEO

This approach I get everyday and it shows both a lack of understanding of how companies recruit, and it shows a glaring lack of EQ. First of all, unless it is for a role reporting directly to me, I AM NOT GOING TO MAKE THE HIRING DECISION. Like nearly all CEOs, I believe my people should own their team and make their own hiring decisions. Forcing a hire on someone does nobody any favors. And it risks starting off a new job with a new boss with some "bad blood". I mean, who likes a person who "goes over your head" and plays games? By all means, go after roles and go after companies which interest you with passion. But take the time to do your homework and write to the hiring manager. Impress them. They are not only the person making the decision, but the person who will "own" the hire. This is who you want to win over. Stop equating "I am going to write to the top" with an assumption of success. It's more than likely going to backfire.

3. Do a "copy and paste" introductory letter

You have to be joking. You want a job. You expect me to listen to you and believe you "really want to work for me" and the letter starts off with a generic "Dear Sir or Madame"? Really? They get tossed in the virtual garbage can. All this shows me is someone with poor EQ who won't even exert enough of an effort to customize the letter to start with "Dear James". Unimpressive to say the least.

I hired a while back one of my marketing heads. She reviewed the job posting and wrote me a customized, 4 page explanation for why she felt she was a good fit for the role. That got my attention and got her the interview. She got the job. And she is kicking ass and doing extremely well. Showing diligence and follow through and attention to detail is all-important. For both getting the job, and succeeding in the job!

4. Put in a comment below a job posting, "Hey I am interested, go check my profile".

I can't drop these people fast enough. So let me get this straight. You are interested. But all you can do is muster the energy up to type a phrase and tell ME TO DO ALL THE WORK? This tells me all I need to know right now. This behaviour equates to a questionable work ethic and poor attention to detail. You want the job, WRITE TO THE COMPANY and explain why you are the right fit. Show some initiative and effort! Just writing "Go check me out and call me" means very likely you are going to hear nothing but crickets chirping.

5. Ask for an endorsement for a job you have applied for, from a person you don't know

I am like most people. I take the recommendation process seriously as they reflect on my reputation and my equity with others. I only recommend people I can put my hand on heart and truly recommend, based on knowledge and experience. This only makes common sense. I mean, who can recommend a person for a role they don't know a single thing about? How is this responsible or credible? So again, I toss into the trash bin people who write me out of the blue to endorse them for a job, people who I have never met, never worked with, and I wouldn't recognize them if they were standing in front of me! Forget it. If you want an endorsement, get one from someone who can truly vouch for you and your performance!

6. Give up quickly.

The one thing I can't teach in life is desire...this has to come from within a person. So I admit it, I like to see some tenacity!

I get people who connect with me, and they suddenly start "Liking" all my posts, and after a few days they write me and ask for a job. I always give the same answer: "We at FHH post all our roles on LinkedIn. I invite you to keep your eye on the postings and then apply for roles you judge you are a good match". Some people thank me, they stick with it, and eventually a role pops up and they get the job. Others show no sense of perseverance or true desire. They invest a week "liking" my posts, and then when I don't immediately reward them with employment they disappear! Stick with it! It takes perseverance and desire to land the dream job. It certainly takes more efforts than liking 5 posts on LinkedIn and expecting this to land you a job!

7. Finally, NEVER get nasty.

Always be dignified and graceful. Show your class and maturity. Things won't always go your way and you won't get every role you want. Take rejection with dignity. Never let your emotions get the best of you. When you tell someone, "you made a mistake, I was the best choice and you will regret it...", you instantly let the hiring party know THEY ACTUALLY MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE. This is classless and petty and shows a small person. Be big. Thank them for the chance. Wish them luck. It's a small world out there, and you just never know when your paths may cross again.

I hope this is helpful, and as said, this is just one person's view. If you are in the midst of a job search, hang in there. I have been there many times! Stick with it. Work it every day. It's a numbers game and the more efforts and options you go for, the more odds you have of it working out well for you. Good luck!