How to use LinkedIn to get the job you want - AOL Money UK

Jens B??ttner/PA

LinkedIn has transformed the face of professional networking, with virtual 'likes' and 'connects' replacing real life handshakes and business card swaps.

So how do you utilise this business tool to make valuable contacts and maximize employment opportunities?

Identify your goals
Of all the social networks, LinkedIn is arguably the most useful to enhance your career or grow your business brand because it allows you to connect directly to the people that matter. "The aim of LinkedIn is to identify new business contacts, opportunities and collaborations in an easy-to-find process, as well as showcasing your own specialities and getting others to know what you do," explains Lauren Alexander, media director at Maltin PR, who runs LinkedIn training courses.

"From an employee perspective it is also a key method to identify new potential job roles and to communicate with peers in your sector via LinkedIn Groups." So, start by identifying what you would like to accomplish ? whether it is to build contacts, find a new job or identify business leads ? and devise a strategy to achieve it.

Keep it professional
Your personal profile on LinkedIn should neither be treated as a CV nor an informal life summary as on Facebook. "It is a business networking tool and you should be using it to make yourself look great ? whether this is to your existing contacts, future employers or people you will do business with in the future," advises Tim Prizeman, a director with public relations consultants Kelso Consulting, which advises many businesses on using LinkedIn.

"Without being excessively trumpet-blowing, you need to concentrate on making yourself easy to find and, when people see your profile, it should make a great first impact that then continues throughout."

In addition to your job title, Alexander advises using relevant keywords to highlight your specialialities to ensure that you can be found in searches. She adds: "I also advise to include a photograph, for ease of identification following conferences or networking events."

Follow networking etiquette
There are no strict guidelines to using LinkedIn but bearing a certain etiquette in mind will help to get the most out of this valuable networking tool. "The first rule of LinkedIn is that you get as much as you give. Helping people on LinkedIn will ultimately help you," explains Shaun Cunningham, founder of LinkedIn consultancy, Online Attach?. So for example, if someone is advertising a job or is making an announcement, 'like' their status to share it with your contact list too.

"When it comes to accepting or not accepting people you don't know, think of it as being at a business conference," advises Cunningham. "Imagine someone who you've never met walks up to you. Their hand is outstretched to shake yours ? do you turn around and ignore them, or do you shake their hand, exchange a few words and take their business card? I know which one I would choose."

When reaching out to a contact, always personalise your connection request message by outlining why you want to connect and how you might be able to help each other.

Make yourself popular
There are many ways to raise your LinkedIn profile and make yourself more visible to the important people in your profession. "Creating or joining conversations within relevant LinkedIn groups is a great way to provide advice, showcase your expertise and meet potential new clients," explains Alexander.

Regularly posting updates and engaging with your connections will help increase your exposure, as will explaining in your profile who you are interested in connecting with and how you can help them.

Cunningham advises connecting with everyone you meet. "You will be amazed at how quickly your network grows. Make sure people can find you by customising your LinkedIn URL - you could even buy yourname.com and have it forward directly to your LinkedIn profile, such as shauncunningham.co.uk."

Discover opportunities
Whether or not you are actively looking for a new job, it is important to keep your profile up to date. "If you are job hunting, say so with 'seeking work' in your headline, and include at least six recommendations and some endorsements from your connections," advises Cunningham.

Use the advanced search on the jobs tab on the site to discover opportunities by sector, role and location. Search and follow the companies you are interested in working for. "If they are advertising jobs, look at the HR person advertising the job and click on their profile to learn about their interests," adds Cunningham. "If they are interested in Rugby for example, you might want to remember that for the interview. Or, if you have mutual connections with them, get an introduction."

Be actively engaged
Active engagement with LinkedIn is required to make the most of the service, explains Prizeman. "LinkedIn is not just a jobs website so if you only use it when you want a job you are missing all the benefits of building and keeping a network of contacts. It is easy for people in large firms to think that external networks are not important, but as soon as they get into sales and influencing roles, or get made redundant, they suddenly find they have a lot of ground to make up."

Alexander advises to update your profile with something new each week and set aside half an hour a week to identify and add new contacts. "This will ensure that you regularly pop-up on the home page of your contacts, which is useful for repeat business," she adds.

Source: http://money.aol.co.uk/2012/12/04/how-to-use-linkedin-to-get-the-job-you-want/

eric holder carole king crystal renn matilda cab calloway melissa gilbert deadliest catch