Welcome To the Employees Only Blog

Looking for a job in 2012 is much different than it was in 1992, or even 2002. It’s different because of one thing, and that’s social media. Social networking hasn’t just changed how people look for jobs, though; it’s also changed how employers look for candidates. Companies are no longer just examining prospects’ resumes, interviewing skills and experience, they’re Googling them and checking their Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. And it’s your LinkedIn account that is the most important to your job search. LinkedIn is often considered “the professional social network” because your profile is essentially an online resume that allows you to connect with other professionals in your field. But it takes more than just filling out your LinkedIn profile to be successful in your hunt for more gainful employment; there are certain steps you need to take to really take advantage of LinkedIn

Keywords and skills

Setting up your LinkedIn profile is a good start, but it’s important to make sure your profile is able to be found by those who might be looking. You can optimize your profile by adding keywords and skills to it, but make sure the ones you add are relevant to the job you’re looking for. It’s always a good idea to do a few test searches of skills and keywords so that you know what’s most pertinent to your end goal.

Don’t be too shy to share

LinkedIn is like any other social network—it was designed to communicate with other people. Many LinkedIn users forget to utilize this function of the site because while it’s a “social” network, you’re not really communicating with friends. And because you’re not communicating with friends on LinkedIn, remember to only share things you’d want your current or prospective employer to see. Links to content you’ve created or articles pertaining to your desired industry are always a good place to start.

Be yourself

Job interviews are a lot like first dates—they’re a little awkward and there’s a lot of feeling out on both sides, which why you want to represent yourself accurately on LinkedIn. It may be a professional network, but that doesn’t mean you can’t show your personality. If you’re a bit of a video game nerd or a lover of history, don’t hesitate to add that to your profile. Employers don’t want robots, they want dynamic professionals. Now, these aren’t the only ways to improve your LinkedIn presence, but they are a great place to start. Feel free to leave us a comment and tell us how you use LinkedIn when looking for a job!