There used to be a time when a simple resume, a warm smile and a firm handshake were all you needed to land that new job. But we live in a new age, one dripping in technology and social media personas. Relying on just a resume while ignoring professional platforms, like LinkedIn, just may cost you that job.
According to an article from U.S.News, employers are looking at potential employee’s social media sites, like Linkedin, to get to know them prior to hiring. The article advises:
It’s important to show that you’re willing to adapt to this new business landscape and that you are up to date with all of the available social media technologies. Hopefully you’ve already done away with that outdated AOL email domain and removed your pager and/or fax number from your resume. But how about that Linkedin profile page? Is it working for or against your future employment opportunities?
Here are five LinkedIn profile tips that can help complement your resume and land you that job:
Don’t advertise that you are desperately seeking employment. Even if it’s the truth, your profile is not the place to advertise your desperation so remove any wording that includes things like “I need a job NOW so I can pay my bills!”. Instead, you’ll want to list your professional accomplishments showing potential employers how desirable your skills are in the work place.
Follow the companies you would like to work for and make connections with their employees. Growing your network, especially with others in your desired field, shows that you are engaging, your ideas are worth listening to and that you have critical networking resources which are very attractive to employers.
Show your personality. Your resume is pretty cut and dry. It’s probably been edited several times to ensure it’s no more than one page and that your qualifiers are clear, concise and to the point. But it does nothing to show who you are as a person or an employee. Use your LinkedIn profile as a means to express your personality.
Expand on experience. Your LinkedIn profile is the perfect place to link to blog posts or articles you’ve written, videos you’ve created and projects or volunteering opportunities you’ve participated in. You’ll have more space than your resume to expand on both your professional and personal accomplishments.
Manage your recommendations. Most employers read recommendations even if they aren’t a ‘make it or break it’ feature. However, a few well-written recommendations from a diverse group of people who really know you can make an impression. When comparing two equally qualified candidates for one position, recommendations can provide a gentle nudge in your favor. Ask trusted colleagues to write recommendations for you and write recommendations for them in return.
LinkedIn is currently the dominant professional social networking site out there. Keeping your profile updated, engaging in relevant groups and/or posting interesting articles on your home feed will help solidify your professional image.
For more tips on increasing your desirability as a potential employee, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.