Start with LinkedIn

By Soozy G. Miller, CPRW, CDCC, CDP

If you want to know where to start your job search, start on LinkedIn.

I’m shocked at how many executives have empty profiles and don’t know how use LinkedIn.

Think how much easier and faster your job search would be if you were already actively connected to hundreds (or thousands!) of people who could connect you to your next opportunity. Even if you have hundreds of personal connections in the business world, you want to be connected on LinkedIn to extend your reach even further.

For those of you out there who have not used LinkedIn yet, or only a little bit, networking on LinkedIn is a great starting point.

FIRST:

Make sure that your LinkedIn profile is optimal. You want to make sure that your headline, About, and Experience sections are filled to the max with statements about your expertise, value-add, and leadership impact. Please do not put only skills in these sections, because all your colleagues and competition have those same skills. Your impact and value-add are what make you attractive. I’ve had a few clients who landed interviews and offers right after we made their LinkedIn profile more impactful and engaging.

THEN:

• You can find and talk to recruiters in any field that you’re interested in pursuing.

• You can connect with and communicate with executive leaders of the companies that you’re interested in.

• You can research companies that you’re interested in.

• You can connect with people who will then provide a connection and introduction to a specific person who you’d like to talk to.

• You can engage in conversation about topics in your field and show that you’re an expert.

If you subscribe to LinkedIn Premium, you can see who has been visiting your profile and then choose who you want to reach out to and start a conversation.

Then, after you have connected with people, and you’ve gotten the attention of some appropriate people, you can adjust your resume to any opportunities they have available or know of.

While your resume should be focused to each position that you apply to, your LinkedIn profile is always public and always global, so it is meant to be your self-promotion to the world. LinkedIn has more than 830 million members in 200 countries. And while a portion of those profiles may not be very active, you still have numbers on your side.

There are a bunch of features like searches, text, and suggested connections that can help you network.

I’m always surprised at how many of my executive clients don’t have a profile or an active profile and have never used it. Once I show them how to, though, they understand its usefulness and potential.

So, executives, start your job search on LinkedIn. Once you harness its power, you will start to control your career.

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Better job. More pay. More control.

For a free resume review, please contact us at Control Your Career!