Using LinkedIn to demonstrate how tech-savvy you are
Karen Tisdell
● LinkedIn Profile Writer ● Independent LinkedIn Trainer ● LinkedIn Profile Workshops ● 170 recommendations ?? Australia based and don't work or connect globally as family complains my voice travels through walls ??
How many of us give enough thought to the way we appear online? I don’t mean the consideration we give to uploading media in LinkedIn, or our personal choices in using Facebook – I’m talking about the email addresses and URLs you use on your job applications.
Getting this wrong could actually cost you the job you want. Here I talk about why this is, and how to look tech savvy enough to impress potential employers. Especially if, like me, you are a long way from being a 'digital native'.
Don’t use a Hotmail address
Most of us have Hotmail addresses but they are not the right choice when you’re applying for a job. Ruslan Kogan, founder and CEO of Australia’s largest online retailer Kogan.com, caused a stir a couple of years ago when he revealed that he won’t hire Hotmail users. Anyone who applies for a job with Kogan using a Hotmail address or includes one on their resume, won’t even be considered. No matter how skilled or experienced they are, their resume goes straight in the shredder.
Kogan was the first to say this outright, but many other employers are now following his lead. Why? Because Hotmail users are broadly speaking, unlikely to be very tech savvy. Or at least this is the market perception...
Hotmail was created in 1996, and its final version was released in 2011. In tech terms, that’s ancient history. If you’re still using this old email platform, it suggests that you’re just not interested in moving with the times, or exploring the much larger potential of more up-to-date platforms like Gmail - which enables you to use all the Google plugins that can save you a huge amount of time and effort in your work.
Employers want to see that you have embraced the latest technology and integrated it into your lifestyle.
Using an outdated email platform isn’t going to convince anyone of that.
Customise your LinkedIn URL
If you want to make more of an impact online, you will need to be memorable and easy to find. Nobody is going to remember a LinkedIn address that ends in a string of meaningless numbers. A custom URL will instantly make you stand out from the crowd as you’ll look as if you take care of the online image you’re presenting.
If it seems like too much effort for the rewards you’re expecting, don’t be fooled – the more memorable you are, the more clients, opportunities and job offers you can expect to get!
Remember, it is now an increasingly competitive marketplace, flooded with a constant stream of new blood. Everyone under 30 has grown up digitally literate. Millennials don’t even have to think about presenting themselves as tech savvy – they do it automatically. No matter what age or level you are, this is your competition and you need to keep up.
On the new user interface, it is incredibly easy to customise your LinkedIn URL:
- Scroll down to “Contact and Personal Info”
- Click on the pencil
- Scroll to “Edit Public Profile URL”
- Click on the pencil
You can then change your LinkedIn URL to something that prospective employers will remember.
Don’t worry if someone else on LinkedIn has the same name as you – you can use your url as an opportunity to stand out even further in your field.
A great way to do this is by adding a job title or industry sector after your name, for example “Joe-Bloggs-Accountant” or “Joe-Bloggs-Supply-Chain”. This looks especially great on your resume!
If you are in a profession that still uses business cards [check out mine below], don't forget to ensure you have your url printed underneath your phone and email address, [where we once had our fax numbers], because we all need to remember that LinkedIn is where your customers will increasingly hunt for the services and technical expertise they need.
Why your tech image matters
Companies these days don’t want to spend time and money training staff in areas that another candidate – perhaps a younger candidate – knows inside out already.
Technology makes our work life quicker, easier and cheaper. By appearing tech savvy on your job application, resume and business card you will be a much more attractive prospect for any potential employer.
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Project and Program Manager - Government and Utilities Sector
7 年Interesting read, Karen Tisdell ? Résumé Writer. I never thought something as seemingly insignificant as an email address would be a reason to disregard a potential candidate. Intrigued, I did some research and some of it is true. I came across an article from Jaime Petkanics (https://www.prepary.com/) where she admits that an email address can be an indicator of how tech-savvy you are. She also comments that "but unless you have a very personal sounding email, like your dog’s name or your favorite TV show, I don’t think you need to go through the trouble of creating a new email for the job search.” Instead, she says your time is better spent improving your resume and networking. I agree with the latter. The former probably is more realistic for a person who is looking for jobs in technology sector or is already into it. What about all the non-technical fraternity? This is debatable.
Migration Lawyer | Migration Consultant | Business Migration | Skilled Migration | Partner Visas | Employer Sponsored Visas | Brisbane | Sydney
7 年Valuable insights. Thanks.
Approvals Coordinator at ParkLife JV (A Joint Venture of WeBuild SPA, Siemens and Plenary Group)
7 年Good advice, thanks Karen.