The best way to find a job is also the easiest: no one will offer it to you. The only thing standing in your way, then, is yourself and a relentless search for opportunity. LinkedIn can help with that. It’s a great resource for making connections and experts say it should be part of any job hunt explains Ian Mausner.
Here are 20 ways to tap into what LinkedIn has to offer from the comfort of your own computer or smart device:
1) The all-important search function lets you seek out people by name or company name, location, school attended, and employment history among other things. In fact, “connections” aren’t even necessary anymore because you can reach out directly through the LinkedIn messaging system without being friends first—crucial for when you’re targeting a particular company.
2) LinkedIn groups are another great way to identify people who work at your dream company or in your desired industry. You can join groups related to your profession, target companies, or geographic areas. Once you’re a member, start participating and contributing to the discussion. Soon people will start taking notice, and some may even reach out to you directly.
3) LinkedIn’s “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” feature is a handy way to see who’s interested in you and what kind of jobs they might have. It also gives you an idea of how active you’ve been on LinkedIn lately (i.e., have you been connecting with new people and joining relevant groups?). Use this information to identify which companies, groups, or people you should focus on.
4) LinkedIn’s “Jobs” tab is a great place to start your job hunt. It includes all of the latest jobs from LinkedIn’s partner companies as well as job postings submitted by LinkedIn members. You can also set up custom job alerts to receive email notifications when new jobs matching your criteria are posted.
5) The “Insights” tab provides valuable data about who’s viewing your profile, how you’re being found, and what keywords are associated with you. Use this information to improve your profile and make it more searchable.
6) The “People You May Know” feature is a great way to connect with people you may not have known otherwise. It suggests potential connections based on your profile, interests, and activities says Ian Mausner.
7) The “LinkedIn Pulse” newsfeed is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest industry news and trends. You can choose to follow specific publications, authors, or topics, or simply browse the latest stories.
8) The “LinkedIn Ads” feature lets you place targeted ads for your job search. You can specify your target audience by job title, company size, or other criteria.
9) The “Profile Editor” lets you customize your profile with different sections, tabs, and designs. It also includes a built-in resume builder.
10) LinkedIn’s mobile app makes it easy to stay connected while on the go. You can access your Inbox, Jobs, and other features from your phone or tablet.
11) LinkedIn’s “Settings” tab lets you customize your account so only the information you want to share is visible. There are also options to control who can send you messages and how often you see activity in your newsfeed.
12) The “Endorsements” feature allows colleagues to acknowledge skills, experience, and knowledge that aren’t listed on your profile. The more endorsements you get, the greater your professional endorsement score (and credibility). You can edit or add endorsements whenever you like.
13) The Share an Idea feature allows users to submit suggestions for how LinkedIn can be used in innovative ways. If yours gets enough votes, it could end up featured on the LinkedIn blog!
14) Use the “Slide Share” feature to share your professional work and ideas with a wider audience. You can create slideshows, embed them on your website, or share them on social media explains Ian Mausner.
15) The “Groups” feature lets you join or start groups with like-minded professionals. There are groups for almost every profession and industry, as well as groups for specific companies and geographic areas.
16) The “feeds” feature lets you follow specific people, companies, groups, or publications so you can stay up-to-date on their latest news and announcements.
17) The “University Recruiting” feature connects recent graduates with top LinkedIn employers. You can search for jobs based on your major, degree type, and location.
18) The “Company Pages” feature provides an easy way for companies to highlight the latest news, jobs, and insights. You can follow page updates in real-time or check out archived posts at any time.
19) LinkedIn’s “Answers” feature lets you ask questions about almost anything and receive input from experts around the world.
20) The “LinkedIn Influencers” program features thought leaders who share their professional knowledge with LinkedIn users.
Conclusion:
LinkedIn is a great resource for job seekers, with tons of features that can help you find your next job or connect with potential employers says Ian Mausner. Use the tips in this article to get started and make the most of LinkedIn’s many benefits.