Using LinkedIn for your job search is based on various criteria, job titles, and location. There are a number of ways to mine data inside LinkedIn but be forewarned, and it can be a bit of a black hole. How to use LinkedIn to find a job is part art and part science. Within Linkedin there is a job board function that is very powerful. However, using LinkedIn to search based on company, location, educational background, and other filters can be equally effective.
The search results are for jobs that have been posted, so your job search should be very thorough. Because of the pandemic, a lot of roles are viable search engine terms: remote, virtual, part-time, full-time, internships, board memberships.
As a job seeker, you want to make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date when you apply for a job through the platform. The recruiter that is managing the search is going to be presented your LinkedIn profile as part of your application process. If your LinkedIn profile isn’t professional, complete, and thorough, it may be a turnoff to them.
LinkedIn Is A Good Place To Find A Job
Research being done right now says that 65 to 75% of the companies with job listings are posting via LinkedIn. LinkedIn also consolidates jobs from other job boards. I encourage everyone to start with LinkedIn and use it thoroughly and extensively to find a job.
Using LinkedIn To Get A Job
There are two ways to find jobs on LinkedIn. The first is to apply via LinkedIn to job postings. The second is to network and connect with people and companies that share similar characteristics to what you are seeking. Potential employers and hiring managers know that the hidden job market is one of the biggest areas where jobs exist. For people in their 40s and 50s who are making a career pivot, referrals often know of positions yet to be posted. If you are contacting somebody that knows you very well, it’s likely that that person might say, “Hey, we don’t have a job posting, but we’re going to create one for you because we know what you can do.” Using LinkedIn to get a job is about using the platform to connect and mine information about companies and roles you’re interested in.
Connecting With People And Reviewing Job Listings on LinkedIn
It isn’t necessary to have a direct hand-off to a potential contact, but it can be helpful. When communicating one-on-one with a contact, you can be transparent about your situation. Signalling to the market you are open to new opportunities can be done within the profile. If you are concerned your current company might find out about your job search, just limit the conversation or the information you share. We are seeing more people being furloughed or laid off due to the pandemic. In this situation, you can be open in your profile about looking for a new opportunity. Be sure to use the keywords that the search engine optimization is going to pick up so you are found for the positions you are interested in.
Finding a job is in itself a full-time job. You need to devote the right amount of time to the process to keep focused about it. I suggest putting together what I call a “Who and Where Matrix.” Who do you want to connect with? At what companies do you want to work? Also add the reasons why. Keep this list, in Excel, some other database tool, on sticky notes, whatever works for you, to have a plan. When you connect with these people, you will be very clear about your objective.
Review job listings to find out what they are seeking. Look for their keywords. Use social media to evaluate that company’s website so you are connecting smartly with the people, companies, hiring managers, and jobs that make the most sense for you. The more focused you are, the clearer you can be with the people you need to connect with.
Career Experts Can Be Helpful With Social Media and Social Networking
A career expert can help you navigate through social media and social networking to find a job. They spend quite a bit of their time, if not more, reviewing social media and other job search techniques to help people find positions. You do not need to learn this all on your own. You want your job search process to be efficient and utilizing the people who know this information works better than trying to learn on the fly. Career experts know the ins and outs of all the different social media tools and what’s working and what’s not. They can help you best present yourself in those avenues. Using a career expert will make your time to get to a new position much shorter and your.
Can I Send A Cover Letter To LinkedIn Members?
No, you can’t directly send a cover letter to LinkedIn members from your LinkedIn profile, however, depending on what package you have, you can send an InMail. An InMail works much like a cover letter and can be crafted like one. You can also attach documents to InMails which could be in the form of a cover letter, but there is not a way to generate and send a traditional cover letter to a LinkedIn member via LinkedIn.