How to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job A Great Profile is Not Enough

How to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job A Great Profile is Not EnoughHow to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job A Great Profile is Not EnoughTheres an old saying that goes something like, A great website that is not promoted is like a billboard stored in your basement. This sentiment reminds me of LinkedIn members who have strong profiles but are invisible. For those figuring out how to use LinkedIn to find a job, they must consider what a successful LinkedIn campaign consists of.A successful LinkedIn campaign consists not only of a strong profile, it also includes building a targeted network and engaging with your connections. Anything less will not garner the results you desire, will not help in your job search. Lets look in greater detail at these three components.Create a Strong LinkedIn ProfileIt goes without saying that a strong profile is essential to your LinkedIncampaign. It is, after all, what expresses the value you will deliver to employers. There are a few basic tenets to follow when c onstructing a profileIt must be complete. This means having a hintergrund image, head shot photo, headline, summary, detailed experience section, education, your strongest skills, and other sections LinkedIn allows.It must show employers the value youll bring to them through accomplishments relevant to your industry and occupation similar to your resume.Its not your resume. This is a mistake many job seekers make. They simply copy and paste their resume to their profile and leave at that.It must be optimized to attract visitors, such as recruiters, through LinkedIn Search.It must show your personality. Look at your profile as a networking online document. Write your profile in first-person point of view perhaps 3rd person only if you feel it fits your personality.Try Jobscans LinkedIn Optimization tool for personalized tips for your profile.Build a Targeted LinkedIn NetworkI recall a client of mine who had a strong profile but was only connected to 80 people. When I told her she nee ded to connect with more people, she told me she only wanted to connect with people she knows.Herein lies the problem people need to connect with others they dont know in order to get to know them. If you are someone who doesnt embrace the concept of connecting with targeted people, your LinkedIn campaign will be a bust.Who do you connect with on LinkedIn? Lets look at some of the people with whom you should connect by viehConnect with Former ColleaguesYour first tier will consist of those you previously worked with, as they know your performance and probably will have an invested interest in your success. Many job seekers rely on their former colleagues as referrals to land their next job.Connect with Industry PeersYour second tier of connections should be people who share the same occupation and industry. Youll have more in common with them than the other tiers. Lets say youre an accountant in the manufacturing industry. It makes common sense to connect with others like you. They may know of opportunities and provide great leads, especially if theyre currently working.Connect with Decision Makers and Influencers at Target CompaniesYour third tier can be perhaps the most valuable one if youre willing to do your research on companies for which youd like to work. You will connect with people within those companies before jobs are advertised. This will give you allies in those companies.Engaging with Your Connections on LinkedInWere all familiar with the saying, Out of sight, out of mind. When it comes to engaging with your connections, your goal is to keep your network thriving in order to be top of mind.This takes some work that many LinkedIn users are unwilling to do. I ask my clients to dedicate at least 20 minutes a day, four days a week to LinkedIn. If theyre good, every day is what I suggest. (Eye rolls.) But Im quick to say its not difficult. For example, one can sharean article that adds value to your networkan update offering advice or asking a questio n that elicits great responsesa photo with a witty captiona shout-out to your connectionsMark Anthony Dyson, career consultant and creator of the popular job search podcast The Voice of Job Seekers, sees engagement as something that cant be taken lightly. As we consider how important engagement is, he says, I think the tone of a users messaging (including responses to group posts) matters. People want to be valued and feel safe. Share and offer advice, opinion, or message without making anyone feel undervalued.One final point Id like to make refrain from sharing facebook inc content with your connections. Most them wont appreciate it.Go Beyond LinkedInHaving a great profile, connecting on LinkedIn, and engaging with your network is not enough. While you can reach out to many people online, your connections wont be bona fide until you reach out and touch them in a personal way- perhaps make a phone call, Skype with them, or meet them in person.Donna Serdula, an authority on LinkedIn profiles and author of LinkedIn Profile Optimization for Dummies, sums up your LinkedIn campaign nicely Its true that success on LinkedIn hinges upon an optimized, strategic profile, but thats not all In order to be found on LinkedIn, you need a strong, robust network. In order to be seen, you need to have an engaging feed of posts, comments, shares, and articles. In order to be sought after, you need to add value, inspire others, and have fun.Additional Resources How to Use LinkedIn to Find a JobOptimize your profile with LinkedIn Optimization10 Impactful LinkedIn Headline Examples from Real PeopleHow to Write a LinkedIn SummaryBob McIntosh, CPRW, is a career trainer who leads more than 15 job search workshops at an urban career center. Job seekers and staff look to him for advice on the job search. In addition, Bob has gained a reputation as a LinkedIn authority in the community. He has reviewed and written hundreds of LinkedIn profiles. Bobs greatest pleasure is helping people fi nd rewarding careers in a competitive job market.