LinkedIn is a useful tool to develop your personal brand and connect with potential employers. It allows you to research your industry and connect with companies to build your professional network. Recently LinkedIn has updated it's job searching tool to make it even easier to connect with jobs!
View the updates here! https://au.linkedin.com/jobs/
Business trainer Danielle Di-Masi, estimates that 95% of Australian LinkedIn members are not using the networking site effectively, “It’s not a personal assistant for you, you need to work it, for it to work for you.”
So how you get the most out of LinkedIn? We’ve broken it down into three simple steps:
1.Create an account.
It is important for you to take the time to consider what your professional brand is when you sign up for LinkedIn. By taking the time to consider how you wish to be viewed in your professional arena, you are starting to take control and focus on how to develop your career.
2.Consider the employability skills you have.
Unlike a resume there is no limit to the amount of information that you can add to your profile. Similar to a resume it is important for you to advertise your achievements and skills rather than duties and tasks. Remember, just like a resume you must also be able to validate any claims you make.
3.Start to network.
This step can be the most complex as LinkedIn provides a numbers of ways for you to network with potential employers. However, if you have taken the time to develop your personal brand, you will have a more targeted approach to using LinkedIn. Most commentators do not recommend reaching out cold to strangers but to use existing connections, LinkedIn can help you reach your former sport groups, or Alumni.