PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
‘LinkedIn is a stepping stone. It’s a way to make a first connection with someone, a first impression, but then you have to follow through’
JULIE BARRON recruiter, Davies Park
short enough that it takes less than 30 seconds to read. Speak in the first person, and don’t just list your work history, says Ms. Barron. Explain who you are as a professional, and what you have to offer. “Your opening statement probably takes the most time to write,” she says. “Share what you’ve accomplished in a way that’s easy to read. It’s an opportunity to connect on a human level.” You may even want to write it last, after filling out your work history. Adds Ms. Miller: “The first 100 characters of your summary section are the most important. When a recruiter views a snapshot of your profile, this is what they initially see.” 4. WORK EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION Next up, add in your work experience, skills, and education. In- clude details from your resume or CV, but keep it short and to the point, says Ms. Barron. “You can list all your jobs, and the top things you accomplished in those jobs. If possible, give reasons for your progression and any gaps or short employment,” she says. You can also add in pictures, videos, documents, or presenta- tions to create an online portfolio showcasing your achievements. “Design the content of your profile to highlight exactly what you feel is most important — special projects, challenging situations, or operational advancements,” adds Ms. Miller. You can also share more details about your accomplishments, such as volunteer experience, honours and awards, courses or certifications, patents, projects and publications, and languages you speak. To fill out these special sections, click on View More right above the experience section. 5. START CONNECTING Now that your profile is looking good, it’s time to start building your network. Start connecting with people you know, such as friends, family, colleagues (current and former) and alumni. LinkedIn will also make suggestions on who to connect with, based on your profile information and the connections you make. You can also ask your existing connections for a virtual introduction to people in their networks. Make sure you take the time to personalize your invitations beyond the generic Please Join My Professional Network. This is
especially important if you don’t already have a relationship with the person you’re trying to connect with. “Why not say, ‘Hi, I’m really interested in such-and-such an opportunity, and would love for you to keep me in mind,’” says Ms. Barron. Keep it brief, and mention if you have any mutual connections, she says. Be targeted about who you connect with. You should never randomly send out job applications, says Ms. Barron, and you shouldn’t randomly make LinkedIn connections either. It’s about quality, not quantity.
5 TIPS FOR REACHING RECRUITERS
Here are five tips to help job recruiters find you on LinkedIn, courtesy Jennifer Miller of Professional Edge Resumes.
1. Repeat your top keywords throughout the content of your summary and work experience. The more often you list keywords and skills, the higher your rank in a recruiter’s search results. 2. List your email address in your summary to make it as easy for recruiters to contact you. 3. When filling in the company name in your work experience, use the most common and recognizable division name, or the largest part of a conglomerate. 4. When filling in the job title in your work experience, use the most common name for your job function. Don’t use acronyms. 5. Ask current and former coworkers and supervisors for recommendations, not just endorsements. Written recommendations hold much more value than skill endorsements.
42 | PEG SUMMER 2015
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker