We all know LinkedIn is great for networking and following those in our industry. Yes, we are looking at you! Don’t worry we all do it! But did you know that you can use it to find a new job? One of the best ways to use LinkedIn is to show that you are open to job opportunities. This allows you to connect with potential employers and recruiters. Update your profile A simple but key step to enhancing your profile on LinkedIn is ensuring your profile picture is current. Make sure it’s high quality, professional and shows your smiley face! Also make sure your relevant skills, contact details and the summary page are all up to date. This must clearly show all the amazing things that make you ‘you’, as well as all your key skills. Check out our video showing the top 3 things you can do to improve your LinkedIn profile. Open To Work feature So, what is the Open To Work feature? This feature is an option which advertises to the recruiter that you are looking for work. It will add a green semicircle ‘opentowork’ photo frame around your profile picture if you select a public option. How do you set it up? By going to your LinkedIn profile and clicking ‘Open to’ and then the first option of ‘Finding a new job’. This will take you to a page of settings where you can set it up on your profile. This next page will help to advertise to the right people about what sort of role you are looking for. With boxes to fill in about job titles, locations, start dates and employment types (full-time, part-time etc.). The visibility section allows you to choose who sees that you are open to work. Still at a job? Could be a bit awks otherwise! Choosing ‘All LinkedIn Members’ means that everyone, even non-connections, will be able to see that you are looking for that next new exciting role. This absolutely has its advantages and can be a great way to get yourself out there especially if you are currently unemployed.. The other option is ‘Recruiters only’; this is a great way to still look for work without anyone willy-nilly taking a look, as it won’t be obvious you are looking. It will only be visible to those who use LinkedIn Recruiter which is a backend system. This means you can keep your search confidential and only receive contact from those in the recruitment sector – phew! Need a visual guide – check out our recent video! What is ‘LinkedIn Recruiter’? LinkedIn Recruiter is a specialised subscription-based platform, designed to help find and connect with potential job candidates. LinkedIn Recruiter offers a range of tools and features that make it easier to identify talent in the job market such as advanced search, InMail messaging and talent pipeline. Those who may use LinkedIn Recruiter are recruitment consultants, recruitment agencies, internal recruiters, talent acquisition people and hiring managers. I’m open to work, now what? Once your status is set to Open to Work, you will start to get contacted. The best thing you can do is reply to those reaching out and start a conversation about what you are looking for. As the details are limited, recruiters can still find it difficult to find your exact match, such as understanding what salary you might be after. So it is important to bear in mind that these roles might not be 100% first time. It is best to open the communication line and new opportunities will come your way. Remember that consistency is key. Regularly update your LinkedIn profile, engage with your network, and be proactive in your job search. By effectively utilising LinkedIn, you can increase your visibility to potential employers and improve your chances of finding the right job opportunity. If you need more information on how to use LinkedIn to find a new job, check out our blog. If you are looking for a new job or need some guidance, why not contact one of our consultants today at [email protected] or call 01603 338313.
