How to Use LinkedIn When You Are Looking For a Job Part 2: Networking, Engagement, and Job Board
In Part 1, I discussed the important aspects of a LinkedIn profile that job seekers should be prioritizing. If you missed Part 1, you can find it here.
In Part 2, I have information about networking, engagement, and the Jobs area of LinkedIn. Many people focus on their profile and look at job openings, but otherwise forget about everything else that LinkedIn offers. For job seekers, that can be a big mistake. Often the power of LinkedIn comes from building your network and engaging with others on the platform.
Networking
The social part of being on a social media platform is interacting with others. Since LinkedIn is geared toward business, it is an excellent place to find people who can help with your job search or work in companies where you would like to find a position. Building a robust network can allow you to find job opportunities and build relationships with decision-makers.
Building Connections
Connections are people that you have asked to join your network and have accepted, or who have asked you to do the same. Some people are very picky about who they allow becoming a connection; others will approve any connection request. Everyone should have a goal for their network with a well-thought-out rationale for why someone should be added. You may want to add people who are colleagues now or in the past; you may only want to add connections in your field, or you may only want to add people currently working at your ideal employers. Whatever your rationale, be intentional about your network.
Proper etiquette is to always send a note along with your connection request. That tells the recipient why you are interested in having them as part of your network. Some people will not accept a connection invitation without a note. On the mobile app, instead of hitting the Connect button on the profile of the person you want to connect with, you need to go to More… and then Personalize invite to write a note. On the desktop version, you will get a prompt to write a note when you click on the Connect button on the person's profile.
Colleagues (Past and Present), Neighbors, Friends, and Anyone Else That You Know
Those that you already have a relationship with are good people to have in your LinkedIn network, especially when you are looking for a job. Some of these people may know of your job search. Others may be unaware. Once connected, you can send messages through the Messaging feature (or see if they have an email address on their profile). This is a great way to re-engage with people that you may have lost contact with over the years. Once connected, you will also be able to see (if the person has allowed it), that person's other connections. These 2nd-degree connections could also be valuable in your job search, and an introduction from a friend or colleague can help establish your credibility.
Recruiters
Whether the person works for a recruitment agency or a targeted company, being connected with those who work to find new employees for a company can help your job search. Many recruiters are active users of LinkedIn and are very willing to connect with people looking for work. Agency recruiters are relatively easy to find by searching "Recruiter" and the field (such as marketing, IT, finance, etc.). When looking for a recruiter that works for a specific company, there is a search filter that allows you to specify the current company. In the search field, you can add "Recruiter" or "Talent Acquisition" to run the search.
Experts in Your Profession or Industry
People who are experts in your profession or industry are excellent people to have in your network. They can be a source of information about what is currently happening in your field. They can help you stay current, especially if you have been out of work for a while. These people usually have vast networks, and if you can establish a relationship, they can also provide introductions to others and guidance on hiring companies. If you are embarking on a career pivot, learning about the industry or profession you want to go into and talking to people already in it is a must, especially to help you determine whether you possess the transferable skills needed.
Job Search Coaches
There is so much information on LinkedIn about how to go about successfully looking for a job. Add a few job search coaches to your network, so you can get free advice about approaching your job search. If you decide you want to work with one on a paid basis, you will already have an idea of what the person's knowledge is in the field, and whether you might work well together.
Here are more ideas of people to network with on LinkedIn.
Company pages
Not only can individuals be on LinkedIn. Companies can also provide information on their company page. A company page may have several sections, including an About section, Life, Jobs, and People. There may also be a Video, Products, and Ads section. Company pages are a source of information about a company. There is a link that takes you to the profiles of people that work for the company. You can filter by level of connection or location. You can also add a job title and search for who has that title in the organization. This is a great way to find people at a target company that you would like to connect with or even a hiring manager whom you would like to reach out to introduce yourself.
Engagement
An often overlooked part of LinkedIn is engaging with others on the platform. This is more than just having one-on-one conversations with people in your network or introducing yourself to others. Engagement means interactions that are visible to the community at large. Engagement usually takes the form of adding reactions and comments to others' posts or posting information yourself.
Reactions and comments
A great way to interact with others is to react to a post they wrote or comment on something that they wrote. LinkedIn allows you to react in six ways, with Support being a recent addition. Reacting does provide the writer of the post with feedback, but to help start a conversation, asking a question or offer an opposing point of view is more effective. Your name is next to your comment and it is much easier to see than with just a reaction. Often, the author of the post will respond to your comment or even members of the community. If you want to show others your expertise or even your values, commenting is a great way. This helps others understand your personal brand, what you stand for, and what you bring to a job. The more active you are with your reactions and comments, the likelihood increases that you will get people to want to connect with you. That can include recruiters and influential people in your field.
You will see posts from your connections or anyone that you follow in your newsfeed. You can also search hashtags to find content of interest. This is an excellent way to find interesting
information where you might want to provide your take on the subject.
Authoring posts
After commenting on the posts of others, the next step in engagement on the platform is to write your own. You can pick an area of expertise or interest and write up to 1,300 character nuggets of information. In addition to written posts, you can also add images or video. Pick a medium that works best for you and add your take on a subject. As others read your posts, you can build social credibility as well as your personal brand.
Job Board
The LinkedIn job board is one of the first places that many job seekers go to look for a job. It is one of the top job boards in the US and has positions throughout the US, including remote work. You can use the search feature to look for jobs and set up alerts based on saved searches. You can apply through LinkedIn, which allows the company also to have quick access to your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn also allows you to track the jobs you have applied to, get job recommendations as well as salary information. They have made it a one-stop-shop for quickly applying to jobs.
Conclusion
If you are a job seeker and are not on LinkedIn, you are making your job search harder by not having access to all the extremely helpful information. If you are on LinkedIn and are not fully using the platform, make it a point to take advantage of all that LinkedIn offers. Since it is free, why not? It can only benefit you by helping you find the job that is right for you with people you want to work with, faster.
Shelley Piedmont is a job search coach. She wants to help job seekers put their best foot forward by providing the tools for a successful job search. If you need career coaching, resume preparation, interview skills assessment, or LinkedIn profile assistance, she can help. Schedule a 15-minute no-obligation consultation.