LinkedIn, the business to business (B2B) social media platform, has more than 34 million users in the UK; 55% of users are 25-34 years old. In fact, it is the number one social networking site, generating 80% of social media leads for businesses. But how does it compare when it comes to searching for a job?
Why LinkedIn for your job search?
Since LinkedIn launched its dedicated job search page in 2016, it has gone from strength to strength. Let’s look at some interesting LinkedIn recruitment stats:
- 57% of jobseekers use LinkedIn to find a new job.
- 95 people submit a job application via LinkedIn every second.
- 6 people are hired via LinkedIn every minute.
- To date, job hires via LinkedIn have increased 88% in 2022.
- 67% of recruiters consider professionals hired via LinkedIn are higher quality.
- 72% of recruiters use LinkedIn to hire new talent.
Now, these stats are great and explain why you should be using LinkedIn for your job search but how do you use this popular B2B social platform to find your perfect job?
Using LinkedIn effectively
One of the main reasons why people use LinkedIn is to expand their professional network. It could be networking with colleagues or former colleagues, thought leaders you want to listen to and searching for a new job.
Creating an account and setting up a profile on LinkedIn is a simple process. However, developing a great profile that attracts fellow users to grow your network, as well as businesses looking to hire great talent is another matter entirely.
What makes a great LinkedIn profile?
When a recruiter is searching for talent on LinkedIn or you apply for a role advertised on the platform, what do they see first? Your headshot, your name and your headline; within those three things, you’ve got the opportunity to make a good impression. Here are our tips for creating a profile that is professional and stands out from the crowd.
- Choose your profile image wisely – because it’s visual, it draws the eye so it’s important to make it count. It must be a clear, professional headshot that’s friendly and open; so, remember to smile! If you don’t already have a headshot you can use, get a professional photographer to take one for you.
- Ditch the monikers – by this we mean avoid using nicknames. Your profile name should be just that, your actual name; the one you would use in a professional situation. Remember, LinkedIn is a B2B platform.
- Headline your skills – this is the line that appears under your name and it should tell the viewer what your current job is, what your skills are, your experience and what you can bring to a role in just a few words. It’s also a good idea to incorporate a relevant keyword. Let’s give you an example: “Award-Winning Creative Digital Marketing Strategist | 8 years’ agency experience”.
- Maximise your skills – did you know that your LinkedIn profile allows you to list as many as 50 skills? Each skill is effectively a keyword or phrase so, the more you complete (aim for all 50 slots!), the easier it will be for recruiters to find you.
- Avoid long work experience descriptions – it’s tempting to write everything you did in a previous role – don’t! In most cases, recruiters will scan your work experience to assess whether it matches their role. So, stick to bullet points for easier readability and just one or two sentences for each position. Highlight your results and/or accomplishments – recruiters love numbers – in that role. Remember, you’ve already listed all your skills so you don’t need to repeat them here.
- Seek recommendations from colleagues – we all know that recommendations carry a lot of weight; it boosts your credibility and trustworthiness. A recommendation from a colleague – it doesn’t matter whether it’s from your current place of work or a colleague from a previous job – is a valuable endorsement of your skills and capabilities.
- Add any volunteer/community work – one of the soft skills employers are looking for is someone that is prepared to ‘go the extra mile’ or ‘go above and beyond what is required’ in their role. If you have any volunteer work or have been involved in a community project, add this to your LinkedIn profile. Although it won’t matter to some employers, it does demonstrate your willingness to get involved and give back to others.
Now you’ve created a killer profile, the next step is to get networking. Get active; comment, post and engage with others through LinkedIn posts and forums to build your network. Leverage the power of LinkedIn groups to expand your professional network and get useful tips and ideas. This shows a prospective employer that you are proactive and communicative.
Recruiters and HR managers are more likely to stop and look at your profile, whether you’ve applied for a role or they’ve found you in a search, if you can demonstrate an interesting network of connections. Indeed, you may find one of your connections recommends you for a role!
Auxato is a leading UK executive search and recruitment consultancy specialising in sourcing the best PR, communications and marketing professionals.?
