For your LinkedIn job search a resume might be important, but that’s only if you’ve found the job.
Wouldn’t it be easier if the job found you?
A resume alone works well only as far as the traditional job market ‘used’ to work. That is search out jobs and find one that you’re interested in, then send in your resume and wait. Not any more. Yes, do keep that resume up to date. But more importantly you need to be sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and kept up to date. Here’s why…
Today your LinkedIn job search is all about getting found.
You might be wondering what that heck I’m talking about. Ok, think about this another way. Ever apply to a company only to find the job is already filled? And then there are those plum jobs that you never hear about until they’re filled? You know, where everyone tells you the job got filled before was even made public?
In many cases there is in fact an open requisition but it’s created after an ideal candidate is already identified. Ever wonder how or why that happens?
One of the primary tools used by seasoned recruiters is called passive candidate sourcing. Today’s hiring managers have projects and deadlines to meet that are non-negotiable. They can’t afford to wait around for the post-and-pray method of launching a career ad praying that the person they’re after is going to spot their job posting or, for that matter, even be active during that same window of time.
That’s when and why they call a recruiter.
Savvy employers go out to their favorite recruiter or headhunter, and retain them to find the talent they need. Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Any recruiter worth their salt should will have a few thousand contacts. Last I looked I had crossed over the 10,000 mark, giving me access to as many first, second and third level connections and I could ever possibly dream of.
What’s key is that I can employ my advanced search feature (you have to be at least a Premium subscriber to get the full advanced search features), to find literally anyone in any market, as long as they have a reasonably complete profile on LinkedIn. And as long as the keywords I’m searching on are found in their profiles.
What does your LinkedIn profile mean to your job search?
It’s quite simple really. If your profile doesn’t have the key words that I’m searching on and you haven’t taken the time to write a summary, and fill in your employment history, the odds are slim to none that I will be able to find you, nor will anyone else for that matter.
Let’s take for example that you’re an Electronics Technologist with ten plus years work experience. You’ve decided to get your LinkedIn profile dusted off and are feeling ready for a potential career change. It of course makes sense that you would be filling in your employers, employment dates, title and at least a brief bit about what you were doing in each job.Now the fun part.
What keywords do you WANT to be found under?
If getting found is an integral part of your LinkedIn job search, then so are keywords integral to your LinkedIn profile. What are the jobs or technical areas that you are most interested in? As an Electronics Technologist some key words might be industrial automation, high voltage power supply, PLCs, etc. If you’re a Project Manager you might be thinking along the lines of electrical or construction, commercial, industrial or residential… you see where this is going.
List out your keywords on a notepad, and then go back and place these keywords in a few strategic places throughout your summary and work experience.
And don’t forget about Linkedin Projects.
LinkedIn lets you include as many projects as you like. This opens up a whole new realm of keyword possibilities where you can boast about your achievements with all the juicy details (read keywords). Use these and the other profile features on LinkedIn wisely, and it won’t be long before a headhunter calls or drops you an InMail inviting you to have that meaningful conversation about a possible new career.
This could be the call that takes you,as my favorite leadership coach Lorraine Richmond, would say … onwards and upwards!
Oh, and here are some Canadian Salary survey resources you may find useful in navigating your way to your next job or pay increase:
Payscale.com
Wow Jobs Salary Survey
Monster’s Salary.com Survey
Canada Visa Salary Survey
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This post has been approved for public release by Barbara Ashton. All certified posts carry this Google Authorship link to Google.
Barbara Ashton is the President and Founder of Ashton & Associates Recruiting.
Ashton & Associates Recruiting … Helping you hire right. Every time.
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