LinkedIn can be a really useful tool for especially when you know how to use it to your advantage. Follow these tips to help you use this professional networking tool effectively. 

  1. Create a LinkedIn profile
    Make sure your profile isn’t an exact replica of your resume. Your profile is a summary of your relevant experience for the type of job you are looking for. Make sure you add a list of your skills and industry key words to your profile as employers/recruiters often search for them.  Include a work-appropriate photo of yourself, a short summary of your career goals and skills, and any training course, volunteer work or certificates you obtained along the way.

  2. Follow company pages
    A great place to start on LinkedIn is following the pages of relevant and exciting companies you may want to work at. This way, when they start advertising for staff, you will know about it and be aware of what projects they may be working on, their values and what skills they are searching for.

  3. Look at job vacancies
    It sounds obvious, but LinkedIn has a jobs page you can search for roles of interest. Use this tool more effectively by setting up email notifications when relevant jobs get posted. This is also a great way to find more smaller industry companies to follow and learn about. 

  4. Build on your network
    Start building your network by connecting with everyone you know you in a professional context such as colleagues from previous jobs, university, or volunteer programs. When you meet someone new, ask them if you can connect on LinkedIn to stay in touch and always send them a personalised message when touching base. Your contacts through LinkedIn can provide recommendations and potentially introduce you to others who may be hiring.

  5. Join LinkedIn groups for online networking
    There are many groups on LinkedIn where professionals can start and join discussions about skills, industry news and resources. Joining and participating in these groups are a great way to learn about issues affecting people in your industry, and to keep up-to-date with trends and information that might help you to connect with a potential employer.

  6. Read articles and follow business Influencers
    LinkedIn has some pretty interesting articles to read about job searching and industry news. Tap into this by following some of the key business influencers that are relevant to your career goals. These people will give you all kinds of inspiration and motivation.  Also start following, reading AND liking relevant industry news posts. The more active you are on LinkedIn, the more connections you are likely to make.

BONUS POINTS FOR:

Asking existing connections to write recommendations 

If you have worked with someone, ask them if they can provide a recommendation of your work. Including these short references on your LinkedIn profile can help to verify and support any details or skills you have listed.

Uploading files and share URLs 

One of LinkedIn’s features allow you to upload examples of your work or website URLs. This is a perfect place to share any online portfolios, reports, or presentations that you have worked on or completed. You could even share a photo of you receiving an award or participating in a team-building exercise.