Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson
If you are job searching or building a career it is vital to have a profile and network to advance forward in today’s job market. A good place to start is to register and build your profile at LinkedIn. It is free and provides a guide for new users making it very simple to begin your professional connections.
Establish your profile by showcasing your talents and skills. Your profile should contain everything that your resume contains. Update your profile regularly with your latest job information and begin to build your network. Ask people you know to join your network while you join the linked groups.
Share your business knowledge by asking and answering questions about specific subjects on “LinkedIn Answers.“ You will earn recognition by demonstrating your expertise to others which will move you up the list and build your credibility. This will open doors for opportunity.
Continue networking and updating your profile in addition to job searching. Over time your connections will increase and you will be able to control your online identity. You then will be in a position to give job recruiters what they want. Job recruiters want expertise, recommendations and work samples.
Keep in mind during your job search that the more confident the recruiter feels about your accomplishments the more interested they will be in you. Employers are in a position to be selective and demanding and you must provide a way to showcase your value and accomplishments to them.
LinkedIn connects you with jobs and leads for businesses as well as contacts to exchange knowledge and ideas with. You will find opportunities to interact with experts through networking and using the LinkedIn tools. This will build a professional profile for job recruiters to view.
Now give the job recruiters what they want by marketing yourself and showcasing your accomplishments so that you stand out and get recognized at your next job interview. Let your connections speak for you and provide an online presence for job recruiters to find and view your professional profile.
