Navigating Today's Job Market: The Importance of Professional Recommendations and LinkedIn for Job Seekers 2023

Navigating Today's Job Market: The Importance of Professional Recommendations and LinkedIn for Job Seekers 2023

Let’s Be Real For A Moment. Being Laid Off Sucks.?

And, not to long ago I wrote about my experience with being laid off. Yeah, it came at a tough time and though I am still seeking work, I took a more optimistic approach versus the typical blame game. I also decided to do some personal reflection, sorting through all the good and bad.

If you are reading this, it is highly probably that you are currently experiencing a lay off. But don't let it discourage you.

Yeah, looking for a job can feel like an uphill battle. And as the world continues to do its best to recover from COVID-19, finding and securing employment is still challenging. However, there's a secret weapon that can give you an edge in today's job market: LinkedIn and Professional Recommendations.

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LinkedIn in particular has become an essential platform for businesses and recruiters to find new talent or employees, thanks in part to a vast network of professionals and a variety of search filters to narrow down candidates.?

Having a complete profile with Professional Recommendations is crucial to stand out to potential employers and recruiters. Additionally, optimizing your profile for SEO (search engine optimization) can make it more discoverable to recruiters and increase your chances of landing a job.?

Professional Recommendations are a powerful tool for job seekers. They provide employers with a third-party perspective on your abilities and can help to differentiate you from other candidates. In fact, according to a survey by LinkedIn, 94% of recruiters say that a strong recommendation can be a decisive factor when choosing between two similar candidates.

And one of the best ways to showcase your recommendations is by keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date. LinkedIn is a valuable resource for job seekers, and having a strong profile can help you stand out to recruiters and employers. Make sure your profile is complete, including your work experience, education, and any relevant skills. You should also ask for recommendations from former colleagues and supervisors to add credibility to your profile.

It's also important to understand how SEO works on your LinkedIn page. By using relevant keywords in your profile and recommendations, you can improve your visibility on LinkedIn and increase your chances of being found by recruiters and employers through the built in search engine. Make sure your recommendations include specific examples of your skills and achievements, and use keywords that are relevant to your industry.

"If you can't fly, run. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl. But by all means, keep moving." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Here Are Some Tips to Make Your Linkedin Profile More Engaging and Attractive To Potential Employers:

1. Create a Strong Personal Brand: Customize your headshot, banner, and other images to reflect your personality and professional style. Your brand is unique to you and a gut feeling that others have about the services you offer as an individual.?
2. Craft a Compelling Summary: Use specific and descriptive language that highlights your unique skills and experience. Consider including metrics and specific achievements to make your profile more impressive and memorable.
3. Make Your Profile Complete: A complete profile demonstrates your commitment to presenting yourself professionally and allows recruiters to get a complete picture of your experience and skills.?
4. Get Recommendations: Recommendations provide social proof of your abilities and can help you stand out from other candidates. Quality over quantity. However, any recommendation that highlights your desired skills and experiences should always be made visible on your profile.?
5. Optimize Your Profile for SEO: Use relevant keywords throughout your profile, including in your headline, summary, and job descriptions. Use clear and concise language and avoid jargon to make your profile more discoverable for recruiters.?

Need help with any of these? Contact me directly and learn more about how I can help you develop a strong personal brand, craft a compelling summary, complete your profile, write a professional recommendation and optimize your profile for SEO.?

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Tips for Job Seekers in the Wake of Major Layoffs

As of March 2023, the unemployment rate in the United States is currently at 3.5%. This is a significant improvement when being compared to a peak of 14.7% in April 2020, but there is still a lot of competition for available jobs in several industries.?

Sure, some industries have recovered or made adaptable changes, but other businesses are still being forced to lay off employees in order to stay afloat. Some industries, such as hospitality, retail and tech, have been hit particularly hard, making headlines everywhere.?

In fact, just in the past few months, several major brands have made big announcements and moves that have impacted thousands. 希尔顿全球酒店集团 , PayPal , Macy's ’s, Netflix , Indeed , 亚马逊 , 微软 , Meta and more have all made staggering statements for layoffs. Several of their former employees have been trending on various social media platforms seeking help and work in response.?

When it comes to finding the right candidate for a job, employers face a number of challenges, especially with the large pool of candidates available in today's job market. In fact, the sheer number of applicants can make the selection process quite overwhelming and time-consuming for employers.

With so many people looking for work, employers need a way to quickly identify the best candidates, giving them a rare opportunity to be incredibly picky with who to move forward with.?

As a result, employers may spend a considerable amount of time reviewing resumes and cover letters, conducting multiple interviews, and checking references, all in an effort to identify the most qualified candidates. This can lead to longer selection and hiring processes, which can be frustrating for candidates who may feel like they are being kept waiting for a decision.

To stand out in the hiring process, candidates need to take steps to showcase their skills, experience, and qualifications in a way that is clear and compelling. This may involve tailoring their resume and cover letter to the specific job they are applying for, highlighting their relevant experience and achievements, and providing references who can speak to their qualifications.

In addition, candidates can also consider networking and building relationships within their industry, attending job fairs and networking events, and utilizing online job search tools and resources to help them connect with potential employers and job opportunities. It's important for candidates to be proactive in their job search and to approach the process with a positive attitude, even if it takes longer than they anticipated finding the right job.

When seeking work and trying to stand out among other candidates, it's important to understand yourself and your strengths.?

Here Are Some Questions You Can Ask Yourself To Gain Better Insight:

• Who am I? What are my core values, beliefs, and priorities?
• What are my strengths and weaknesses? How can I leverage my strengths to excel in this role?
• What are my goals and aspirations? How does this role align with them?
• What is my work style? Do I work well independently or in a team? How can I adapt to different work environments?
• What experiences and skills do I bring to the table? How can I highlight them in my resume and cover letter?
• What motivates me? How can I channel that motivation into achieving success in this role?

It's important to ask questions that are relevant to the specific job and company you're applying to. These questions will show your interest in the role and help you stand out as a thoughtful and prepared candidate.

Here are a few working examples in action.

Single Parent Working Two Jobs:

• Who am I? I see myself as a hardworking, caring, and resilient person who is doing the best I can for my family. My core values include providing for my children, being a good role model, and creating a stable and loving home environment.
• What are my strengths and weaknesses? My strengths include my work ethic, my ability to multitask and manage my time effectively, and my dedication to my family. My weaknesses include a lack of time for self-care, limited resources and support, and feelings of stressed and overwhelmed.
• What are my goals and aspirations? My primary goal is to provide for my family, but I also have aspirations related to personal growth and development, such as pursuing education or building a career.
• What is my work style? I have a strong work ethic and am willing to work long hours to provide for my family. I also value jobs that offer flexibility and the ability to work from home or have a flexible schedule.
• What experiences and skills do I bring to the table? I have experience in a variety of jobs and industries, which could include customer service, hospitality, retail, or healthcare. My skills include multitasking, time management, communication, and problem-solving.
• What motivates me? I am motivated by the desire to provide for my family, create a stable and loving home environment, and be a good role model for my children.

A Recently Laid Off Web Developer:

• Who am I? I see myself as a creative, detail-oriented, and tech-savvy person who is passionate about web development. My core values include innovation, creativity, and problem-solving.
• What are my strengths and weaknesses? My strengths include my technical skills, my ability to work independently or in a team, and my willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies. My weaknesses include a lack of experience in certain areas or a lack of confidence after being laid off.
• What are my goals and aspirations? My primary goal is to find a new job that allows me to use my skills and knowledge, provides opportunities for growth, and offers financial stability. I also have aspirations related to career advancement, entrepreneurship, or continuing education.
• What is my work style? I prefer to work independently or in a team, depending on the project and my role. I value jobs that offer opportunities for creativity and innovation, as well as a good work-life balance.
• What experiences and skills do I bring to the table? I have experience in web development, programming languages, and project management. My skills include coding, debugging, problem-solving, and collaboration.
• What motivates me? I am motivated by the desire to create innovative and user-friendly websites and applications, solve complex technical problems, and stay up-to-date with the latest technologies.

A Student Graduating with a Bachelor's in Health and Wellness:

• Who am I? I see myself as a compassionate, caring, and knowledgeable person who is passionate about health and wellness. My core values include helping others, promoting healthy lifestyles, and making a positive impact on people's lives.
• What are my strengths and weaknesses? My strengths include my knowledge of health and wellness topics, my communication skills, and my ability to work well in a team. My weaknesses include a lack of experience in the field, limited knowledge of certain areas, and feelings of uncertainty about my future career.
• What are my goals and aspirations? My primary goal is to find a job in the health and wellness field that allows me to use my skills and knowledge, promotes healthy lifestyles, and helps others. I also have aspirations related to continuing education and professional development.
• What is my work style? I value jobs that allow me to work collaboratively with others and make a positive impact on people's lives. I prefer jobs that offer opportunities for learning and growth, as well as a good work-life balance.
• What experiences and skills do I bring to the table? I have experience in health and wellness education, research, and advocacy. My skills include communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and program development.
• What motivates me? I am motivated by the desire to promote healthy lifestyles and behaviors, help others achieve their wellness goals, and make a positive impact on communities and society as a whole.

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How to Get Strong Professional Recommendations on LinkedIn to Stand Out in Today's Job Market

LinkedIn Professional Recommendations provide valuable insight into an applicant's skills, work ethic, and character. They can help set you apart from other applicants and give you an edge in the job market. Something that would be incredibly beneficial to you on your job seeking journey.

"If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try." - Seth Godin

Here Are Some Tips To Help You Get Strong Professional Recommendations:

1. Choose The Right People: Select people who know you well and can speak to your skills and work ethic. They should be able to provide specific examples of your work and accomplishments. Think of current or former colleagues, managers, teachers, or friends.
2. Ask For Recommendations In Person: Reach out to your contacts and ask if they would be willing to write you a recommendation. Make sure to ask in person if possible and give them plenty of notice. LinkedIn has a unique feature to assist you with asking as well using the messenger as well.?
3. Provide Guidance: Give your contacts some guidance on what to include in the recommendation. Let them know what type of job you're applying for and what skills you want to highlight. The more information you can provide, the better. Otherwise they may not know just what to say about you or add into your recommendation.?
4. Say Thank You: Always follow up with a thank-you note or email. Let your contacts know how much you appreciate their help. Pay it forward, offer one in return or treat them to lunch. Show or express your appreciation, especially when you land your new role.

In today's job market, Professional Recommendations are more important than ever before. They can give you an edge over other applicants and help you land the job you want. By following these tips, you can get strong recommendations that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Maximize Your Job Hunt Success with Complimentary Professional Recommendations

If you need help writing a recommendation for yourself or someone else, think of me - I'm here to help. For a limited time, I am offering a finite number of complimentary professional recommendations for those that are seeking to improve their profiles and increase their chances of landing a job sooner over later.?

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By creating SEO-friendly recommendations that highlight your skills and experience, I can help you increase your job hunt success rate and stand out to employers.

All I ask is that you please keep in mind that I am human and only one person. What I am offering is complimentary and I expect a high volume of applicants (hence why I restricted the number or recommendations). I do, however, plan to do my absolute best to provide real recommendations based on the information shared through a brief survey.?

If, for some reason, this really takes off and I can find a way to better support the masses seeking help, I will adjust the settings of my survey and keep the complimentary service open for an extended period. Of course, I may need some help from some very willing unpaid volunteers.?

What’s the catch? Your Time and Consideration.?

Meaning, all I ask from you is to visit this link to fill out a brief survey, answering a few questions to help me better understand how to help you. Once I have everything I need to write a recommendation for you, I’ll submit it to your profile for review.?

Afterwards I ask that you please keep me in mind and recommend me to others in your network for future professional recommendations and creative services such as Graphic Design, Web Design, Social Media Management, Creative Writing and more when you see an opportunity that calls for those services.?

You can learn more about my Freelance Creative Services online or visit my LinkedIn Profile to learn more about me specifically. You can view my complete Freelance Creative Services Guide here as well.

Curious to see some of my completed work? Check out my growing Digital Portfolio on Behance!

To sum it all up, if you found this post helpful, please #like, #comment, and #share it with your network.

And if you're in need of a professional recommendation, don't hesitate to reach out - I'm happy to help!

Thanks for reading!

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