Not-so-obvious but useful tips for your job search
We all understand the value of Linked In as a professional social networking tool. A complete profile, connections, recommendations and participation in group discussions are essential during your search. I’ve selected a few more advanced components this month – for those of you who have mastered the standard activities here are some deeper considerations:
Increase the Relevancy of Your Job Search
You can utilize the advanced search in LinkedIn to find people with educational and work experience that is similar to yours. You then see where they have worked and these companies can become targets for your search.
Learn About the Turnover of Your Prospective Employer
If you perform an advanced search for a company and uncheck the current companies only box, you can scrutinize the rate of turnover. It will indicate whether key executives have left during a certain timeframe. Former employees usually give more candid opinions about a company than a current employee.
Insight into Startups
You can see individuals in your network who are initiating new startups by conducting an advance search for a range of keywords like “new startup.” Apply the “sort by” filter to “degrees away from you” in order to see the people closest to you first.
Increase Your Visibility
Each time you add connections to your site, you increase the likelihood that prospective employers will see your profile first when they’re searching for someone to hire. When you appear at the top of search results, there is a good chance this employer could know someone who knows you. This helps expedite trust and confidence in your abilities.
Improve your Google PageRank
LinkedIn allows you to make your profile information available for search engines to index; LinkedIn profiles receive a fairly high PageRank in Google. This is an excellent way to influence what people see when they search for you. To accomplish this, create a public profile and select “Full View.” Instead of using the default URL, customize your public profile’s URL to be your actual name. To strengthen the visibility of this page in search engines, use this link in various locations on the web. If you comment on a BLOG, include a link to your profile in your signature.
Enhance Your Search Engine Results
In addition to your name, you can also promote your blog or website to search engines like Google and Yahoo. Your LinkedIn profile allows you to publicize websites. There are a few preselected categories like “my website” or “my company.” If you select “other” you can modify the name of the link. If you’re linking to your personal blog, include your name or descriptive terms in the link and instantly you have search-engine optimization for your site. To make this work, be sure your public profile setting is set to “full view.”
Minor adjustments can make a big difference in your visibility to companies and hiring managers. As corporate recruiters begin to embrace the power of Linked In you can elevate your search effort by being there – front and center.
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