▶️ 10 keys to using LinkedIn efficiently
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With more than 12 million users in Spain and more than 730 million worldwide, it is the social network par excellence for finding work; but not in any way, with these 10 keys to using LinkedIn efficiently, your profile will attract more attention from recruiters and, perhaps, you will be a little closer the job of your dreams.
Looking for a job is a hassle, and maintaining the network of contacts of the jobs you've had in your life, complicated. That is why LinkedIn is a super useful tool in both cases. This social network was born with the aim of connecting people in the world of work, but since its creation, in 2002, it has evolved a lot.The possibilities of making your profile more attractive are numerous, and today we are going to explain some of them. Before you start looking for a job, take a look at these 10 keys to using LinkedIn efficiently.
10 keys to using LinkedIn efficiently
It is not enough to have a profile created. Among all users, if you are not able to stand out, yours will go unnoticed. That is why these 10 keys to using LinkedIn efficiently can be of great help. Let's start!
- Contacts
LinkedIn is a network of employment, but also of contacts. That you update your employment situation or that you say that you are looking for a job is very good for recruiters to see, but it is also interesting that your contacts, former colleagues, people in your same sector..., stay tuned You never know where a job opportunity might come from!
So start sending friend requests now. Search among your former colleagues, classmates in training of all kinds, people with interesting profiles that are similar to yours... Creating a good network of contacts on the social network can help you.And yes, you've read “good”, because it's not worth starting sending/accepting requests left and right. In this case, quantity and quality must go hand in hand.
- Profile picture
Remember that we are not on Instagram and, much less, on Tinder, you have to select a good profile photo, that is professional and also close.Think that it is the first thing that will appear on your profile and, sometimes, the first impression does count. In addition to the profile photo, add a cover photo, the more complete your profile is, the better.
Did you know that you can personalize the photo with a frame depending on your work situation? Well yes, at a glance, Contacts and potential interested companies will know if you are looking for a job, open to listening to offers, or if you are not actively looking for a job. LinkedIn itself, if you click to edit your photo, will give you the option to customize said frame with the three variables. Seize it!
- Ask for recommendations
What we ourselves say about our aptitudes or virtues is fine, but if others also say it, all the better. Ask for recommendations from former bosses, coworkers, and even people who have worked under you. Thus, potential companies interested in your profile will have a recommendation and opinion of third parties in all ranks of the business hierarchy.It is very good to have been a boss or boss, but were you one of the good ones? What did your classmates think of you? Etc.
To ask for recommendations follow these steps:
- Enter the profile of the person you want to ask for a recommendation.
- Next to where it says “Send Message,” give the three dots that appear.
- A drop-down menu will open, and among the options you will see “Request a recommendation”. Done!
What if you don't like the recommendation? No problem, only you can make it public or not. To do this, go to your profile, scroll down to the recommendations section and click the pencil that appears on the right. There you can see the recommendations received and sent and also the pending ones. There are the recommendations that are not yet public, read them and decide whether to publish them or not.
- Complete your profile as much as possible
At the top of your profile there is a bar where you can see the level you have and so you can guide yourself when it comes to improving. A hint: the more information the better. Complete each section with great detail, so that your experience, training, interests are clear, even if you have volunteered, as well as the languages you speak and what is your level.
You have to dedicate a lot of time to it, it's true, but as we said at the beginning, It's not enough to have a profile, it has to stand out from the rest.Don't forget to complete your interests (at the end of everything), as it gives an idea, not only of what you are looking for professionally, but it is also a hint of your human value.
- Extract and presentation
The upper part of your profile is the first one that is seen and, as in everything, if it doesn't interest us… we move on to something else and we do not go down to the end. Therefore, it is essential that you create this area with full intention. We have already talked about the first point of the profile photo, but it is not the only thing that counts.
Highlight your employment situation from above. And make it clear what you do. For example, just below your name, if you don't want to highlight your current job or you don't have one, put your profession: “Journalist”, so that it is known at first glance.
It is also recommended that you write an extract. It is a small text that will appear under your profile photo, in which you can explain in a general way what you will develop in depth below. If you have not created it, click on "Add sections" and then on "Excerpt".A screen will open where you can write your text directly:
- Updated Contact Information
It is true that through LinkedIn you can connect and talk in the chat. But, even if it is a social network, in which we are sometimes more jealous of our privacy, here it may not be very useful... Many times this network is a "showcase" and other people prefer traditional methods of communication: an email, a phone call, does it ring a bell? Well then, verify that your information in this section is completed and updated.
To do this, at the top of your profile (you'll have to go down a bit more if you're doing it from the app), click on “Contact information”.A window will open with the data you have entered and there you can add the missing ones or modify the ones that have become obsolete.You will see that the URL also appears. Well, stay there, because we are going to explain how this can also help you optimize your account.
- Custom URL
When you create your profile, LinkedIn will assign you a URL so you can share it. But, this will come by default formed by a sequence of numbers that do not make much sense. Well, you can edit this URL to show your first and last name. What does this do? On the one hand, a better image, on the other, it shows interest and knowledge of how this social network works. Doubly positive!
To edit the URL enter your contact information (point 6), and click on the URL; then a new screen will open. Look at the top right, where it says "Edit URL". There you can change it, by your name and surname, or by the name of your company if it is a company profile, for example.And ready!
- Participates
Don't forget that LinkedIn is a social network, and by definition you have to socialize. If you want to make the most of your profile, it's not enough Just as long as this one is perfect, let the rest of the world see it! As? Join groups, for example, and participate in them. Share publications, either about your professional achievements or about topics that are interesting for your sector, etc.
Without forgetting, of course, that you are not on Facebook: always keep the limits of what is professional in the content you publish. Also You can comment on posts from other users, whether it's from contacts you're interested in, former colleagues, or companies you follow. In short, keep up the activity on the social network so that they see you. And, in this sense, goes the next point.
- Post Stories
Yes, stories have also reached LinkedIn,few social networks will be left without them… These are ephemeral publications, which They remain on our profile for 24 hours. The ones from Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter will sound familiar to you... Also use them on LinkedIn if you feel like it! It is the ideal place to show your day-to-day at work, the conference you have given/attended, the training you are doing, and a etcetera as infinite as the day-to-day life in the different professions that exist.
- Use the app
And to finish these 10 keys to using LinkedIn efficiently, we recommend that you download the application. So you'll always be up to date with what's new of your contacts, you will see the messages right away, you can publish your stories from your mobile, comment on content, or send an application for a job.
Today we live with our mobile phones in our hands, and the best way to stay connected, especially if you're looking for a job, is by being present.Of course, try to disconnect from time to time, for example, on weekends? Deactivate notifications to rest too, that not everything is work in this life…
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