Summary: One of the best resources out there today for job seekers is that of LinkedIn, but you need to know how to use it properly in order to succeed.
Social media has become a breeding ground for employers and job seekers. Employers will use the networks to post their job openings while job seekers will browse the networks for the latest postings. Another way job seekers can use social media, specifically LinkedIn, is to build their brand and become an expert within their industry. We have put together a list of the most effective methods for mastering LinkedIn.
Complete the Entire LinkedIn Page
One of the first things you must absolutely do is complete your entire LinkedIn page. Whether you are an individual, a small business or a large corporation, an incomplete page will not help you garner any views. The most important details about yourself or your company must be at the top of your profile because visitors do not want to spend a ton of time figuring out what it is you offer.
Have a Call to Action
Another excellent tip is to enlist the use of a call to action on the summary section of your profile page. Make it clear to those who visit your LinkedIn profile what it is you want them to do. It can tell them to call your office, visit your website, enter your email address for a newsletter mailing or anything else you can think of that gets their attention.
Showcase your Expertise in the Industry
You need to put yourself to the forefront of the industry by becoming an expert. Write and post articles about your job, your career and your industry. This helps build your brand and show others how much of an expert you are in the field.
Always Have a Photo
Your LinkedIn profile page must always have a photo associated with it. If you are an individual, it should be a business shot of yourself in business attire. If the profile is for a company, the photo should be your logo.
Post Often
Make it a point to post to LinkedIn as often as you can. The more often you post, the more viewers your profile will acquire. These posts can be articles or blogs you have written, news from within your industry or thoughts about your industry.
Optimize the Profile
Use keywords related to the industry in which you work throughout your profile. This will help people looking for companies such as yours to easily find your profile page. Do not stuff your profile with keywords though because this will be viewed as spamming.
Take Advantage of LinkedIn Groups
Whether you are joining multiple LinkedIn groups, or creating your own, this is also important when mastering the social network. Groups put you in contact with others from your profession and potential job leads.
Use Personal Messages
When you send messages to others about connecting via LinkedIn, make sure they are personal so the other person or company is more likely to accept your invitation.
Be Careful of your Connections
When deciding who to connect with, make sure you make smart decisions. This network is not for fun or friends, it is for business purposes. This means that you will need to be careful about whom you connect with on the site. You do not have to accept connections if you do not want to do so.
Use Content Tools
If you enjoy reading content posted to LinkedIn, but do not have time to sift through all of it, use the site’s content tools to find what is important to you and your industry.
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