What Is LinkedIn?

Launched from Reid Hoffman’s living room in 2003, LinkedIn is a global professional networking site. Instead of “friends,” LinkedIn users have “connections” to network with, share industry knowledge, and find new jobs or opportunities. It’s free to join and can be a critical tool in your career success. 

LinkedIn has several messaging features that are powerful ways to network with other professionals, recruiters, and even companies. Below we’ll go over the benefits of LinkedIn messaging, different messaging features, and what you need to know about sending messages on the platform. 

The Benefits of LinkedIn Messaging

You can’t assume that just because you created a LinkedIn profile, you’ll somehow land a new job or opportunity. You need to connect with other users on the platform. And one of the best ways to do that is through LinkedIn messaging. LinkedIn messaging can be beneficial for numerous reasons, including:

• Finding a new job
• Connecting with professionals in the same industry
• Sharing industry knowledge
• Connecting with recruiters
• Finding freelance clients
• Changing careers or industries

Before You Send a Message

Before you even send a message, make sure you fill out your LinkedIn profile completely to achieve “All-Star” status. Include a professional photo of yourself, write a brief “About” section and a strong headline, and include some key skills. Give the person you’re messaging a sense of who you are professionally.

Think about it if the situation was reversed. If you got a message from someone with no photo or “About,” would you feel confident that the message was from a legitimate professional connection? Or, would you be wary of a scam or bot? Fill out your profile completely to let people know there’s a real person behind it. 

LinkedIn InMail

LinkedIn InMail is a feature unique to LinkedIn Premium (paid) accounts. LinkedIn InMail allows you to message people you’re not connected with on the platform. For example, you might receive an InMail from a recruiter about an open position at their company. Or, you may InMail a recruiter to follow up on a job application. A university may send you an InMail about their online MBA program. 

When sending an InMail, LinkedIn recommends following a few best practices:

• Keep your message concise.
• Share any mutual experiences or connections (Did you both go to NYU? Do you love the Yankees?).
• Keep it conversational.

LinkedIn Direct Messaging 

Direct messaging allows you to send a message to people you’re connected with on LinkedIn. You can send a direct message (or DM) to one person or multiple people. With direct messaging, be professional, keep your message concise, and include a call to action.

With that in mind, here are a few things to never do in LinkedIn direct messages:

• Don’t immediately ask for a job.
• Don’t immediately make a sales pitch.
• Never use LinkedIn messaging as a dating service or romantic connection!
• Avoid sending a lengthy message that spans multiple paragraphs.

Sending a Note With a Connection Invite

Rather than simply clicking “Connect,” you can personalize invitations to connect. To do this, search for the person’s profile, click “Connect,” and then choose “Add a note.” 

Who should you invite to connect? You might choose to connect with old classmates, former coworkers, your university professors, professionals in your industry, or recruiters. You can connect with up to 30,000 individuals on the platform. You can also send a note to strangers. However, LinkedIn will ask how you know the person if you choose to do so.

Harness the Power of LinkedIn Messaging

LinkedIn messaging can help you build relationships and network effectively to uncover new opportunities and jobs. By using different messaging features and following these best practices, you can use LinkedIn to drive career success. 

The post Your Guide to LinkedIn Messaging: Connections, InMail and Direct Messages appeared first on Job-Hunt.

1. Set the Stage for a Positive Experience From the Initial Point of Contact

The “thing” about first impressions applies here, so make sure your introductory call or email leaves people with a favorable one. People have a long memory when it comes to what they did for you and how you managed the initial introduction. When asking for help, offer to call them, do not ask them to call you. While this may seem intuitive, it’s not. In your initial email, indicate the amount of time you’ll need (20 minutes or so), then place the call on time, and stick to the agreed-upon allotment. People remember and appreciate your professionalism and will find it easier to advocate for you.

2. Find Real Ways to Offer Reciprocity

The statement people traditionally offer at the end of a networking call, while well-intentioned, may feel disingenuous: “If there is ever anything I can do for you, please let me know.” Take the burden off them to come up with payback ideas and try this approach instead.

Take a deep dive into the person’s LinkedIn profile to gain a better understanding of what may be important to them. Next, identify ways you might bring value to their careers. Here are some simple and effective ways to strengthen the connection right from the start.

• Endorse their skills. Skills are moving to the forefront of keywords used in recruiter’s search criteria. The skills profile section is among the top three highest-ranked areas by LinkedIn’s algorithms. Give your connections this value-add by boosting the credibility and visibility of their skills.
• Like, comment on, and share their posts, and tag them or follow them. This works well for connections focused on promoting their brand, those who are thought/industry leaders, and those who depend on the visibility supported by a strong LinkedIn presence. Take note of their activity and use of LinkedIn and confirm if these actions support their goals.
• Offer to make a recommendation. Strengthen the quality of your endorsement by first asking if they prefer a focus on a specific aspect of their work experience. The better the information that’s given in a recommendation, the more it informs LinkedIn members of a person’s capabilities and potential.

3. Inform Your Network When You Land a Job

This one seems a no-brainer but is often overlooked by job seekers as the right (and smart) thing to do. Have you self-imposed a probationary period to determine if the job is going to work out, refrained from updating your LinkedIn, and kept your new job under wraps? Fine, but once you’ve crossed over that threshold, contact those who helped get you there.

Call, email, or message them. Communicate your news by whatever channel works for your contacts, but find them and thank them. Go beyond a generic message and tell them exactly how they energized your search. Did they make an employee referral on your behalf, introduce you to the hiring manager, provide great job search resources, or share insider intel about the target company? They may have helped with one or more of these building blocks that led to how you got there from here. Personalize your message; it will be well received.

4. Pay It Forward

Reserve this tactic for business colleagues whose experience and work ethic are well-known to you. When a job or vendor opportunity becomes available at your new place of employment, refer them as a candidate for a position or as a preferred service provider. According to Jobvite, employee referrals have the highest applicant-to-hire conversion rate, so why not give the gift that keeps on giving?

5. Meet in Person When Appropriate

Virtual meetings have been a necessity over the past two years and opened our reach globally to an expanded network. That’s the good news. But was there something lost without having the benefit of the human touch?

If it’s a geographic and logistical possibility, suggest a face-to-face meeting for a coffee get-together, thank them for their help, pick up the tab, and deepen the bond.

6. Use Small Gestures to Stay Engaged

Staying engaged with your network is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also just not that hard to do. Job seekers vow they will never be vulnerable again if faced with a future job search. Unfortunately, life happens, job demands are real, and good intentions…well, you know where they go.

Don’t overthink what it takes to let your connections know that you remember and appreciate them. LinkedIn automatically generates work and birthday anniversaries and change-of-employment notices. Send a personalized congratulatory message. Spend a few minutes and craft words to express your genuine support of their careers. Few people take the time, but thoughtfulness speaks volumes about your commitment to the relationship.

The Bottom Line

Recognize connections as assets; protect and grow them. Build equity in your investment by maintaining the ties to your professional community. It doesn’t require a significant time commitment and is easily accomplished by following these simple and practical ways to keep your network alive.

About the author…

Barbara Schultz is the founder of The Career Stager and a mid-career job search specialist. She is a Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) and a Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE) through the National Resume Writer’s Association. Barbara offers career counseling and conducts workshops and webinars on every aspect of the search. Connect with Barbara via her website at Career-Stager.com or on LinkedIn.

The post 6 Simple Ways to Keep Your Network Alive appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Maybe that’s old news to you and you’ve spent time optimizing your LinkedIn profile already. But now, you’re looking for other ways to build a robust professional network. Not sure where to focus next? Consider joining a professional organization to take ownership of your career growth. We’ve got the details for you here.

What Is a Professional Organization?

You probably already know that professional organizations are groups formed around specific work-related topics. These include professional associations, unions, guilds, or simply clubs where members discuss their line of work with other people interested in the same subject. Although they are commonly associated with legal and medical professions, professional organizations exist in many fields.

What Does a Professional Organization Do?

Essentially, professional organizations promote education, creating socialization opportunities and special interests among group members. Often, anyone can join a professional organization as long as they are interested in the topic of the association and meet any related criteria. Professional organizations do not typically restrict membership based on employment status.

While there is no overall standard for how often an organization meets or structures their meetings and group, they should have guidelines in their membership information to give you an idea of what to expect.

What Are the Benefits of Joining a Professional Organization?

When you’re looking for ways to expand your professional network, joining a professional organization has several benefits.

The most significant benefit by far is networking opportunities. Professional associations offer the chance to get involved with other people in your field who may currently hold lucrative job opportunities. Additionally, they may provide further information about industry trends, which could be helpful when applying for vacancies or seeking freelance work.

Another great benefit is staying abreast of industry standards and evolving skill sets. Interacting regularly with group members can help improve your proficiency and knowledge in a way that might be unattainable on your own. By joining a professional organization, you’ll be putting yourself in contact with other individuals with similar interests and creating an open dialogue about work. Perhaps they’re studying or focusing on an aspect of the field you hadn’t considered.

Education for your career development is another significant benefit of joining a professional association community. Not only will you be involved with industry-related topics, but you’ll also have an opportunity to connect with other members who could offer further educational opportunities, like seminars or workshops. Without your membership, you might not get notified about these opportunities.

Finally, if you’re looking to join a professional organization, consider the benefits of socialization. While it may seem at first glance that networking is the only benefit to joining up with your professional association community, socializing can help improve your quality of life. Just think about how much you would enjoy spending time with like-minded individuals who speak your jargon!

Where Can I Find a Professional Organization?

If you’re considering joining an association to grow your career and expand your network, start by asking professors and current managers for any recommendations they might have. If people in your sphere can suggest something appropriate, it should be a go-to option. Additionally, search online for associations based on your profession to see what you can find.

Rather than a generic local business group or your alumni association, (though both are great networking options in their own ways), you’ll often find more streamlined career growth by focusing on organizations specific to your particular fields or career paths. Consider one of the following organizations, for example.

• Association for Financial Professionals (AFP): Geared toward treasury and finance professionals, AFP helps boost careers with certifications, training, networking, and cutting-edge ideas to inspire you.
• Association of International Certified Public Accountants (AICPA): AICPA builds connections and networks for its members across the U.S. and internationally through membership with the Global Accounting Association. Offering continued education, town halls, a resource library, and yearly conventions, an AICPA membership should be high on your list if you have any interest in a financial career.
• American Medical Association (AMA): AMA is the largest association with a mission of “promoting the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.” Through membership, physicians at every stage of their professional journey can join to save money on insurance, get daily updates on professional standards, and receive assistance in reducing regulatory burdens.
• American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP): ASAP is the “leading provider of education and training for administrative professionals and executive assistants.” Helping you grow your skill set regardless of where you are in your career journey, ASAP offers a massive library of articles and webinar resources, as well as three annual live events and certification to ignite your career growth.
• Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA): CXPA is a global, nonprofit, member-led organization that creates networking and education opportunities for enthusiastic customer support specialists across any field. Through membership, you’ll have a chance to get certified to develop a customer-centric culture.
• National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP): NASP is the largest sales association globally. Through online courses and group coaching, you can acquire industry-standard certifications that set you apart in a competitive job market.

Is a Professional Organization the Next Best Step?

Regardless of your current career stage, a professional organization is a great place to start when you’re ready to expand your network. It can provide an opportunity for coaching and mentoring with industry professionals, along with certifications that will give you the skills needed to advance in your profession. And as new opportunities arise, these organizations are often some of the first places they become available.

The post How to Join a Professional Organization or Association appeared first on Job-Hunt.

While you can, and should, have recommendations on your LinkedIn profile, you should also have written references. Although you don’t always need them until later in the hiring process, some job postings will request that they be submitted when you apply. Your submission will be delayed if you aren’t prepared and have to wait for a response from your references.

You may even consider submitting your list of references and letters with your resume, regardless of whether they’re requested. Or perhaps, with your thank-you note after the interview. Both actions can help you stand out from other applicants.

Who Should You Ask

Former supervisors will be the obvious first choice. They have the best insight into what it was like to work with you. Supervisors can speak professionally and frankly about your work ethic and how you contributed to the team.

Outside of your supervisors, you should ask former coworkers that you collaborated with. Their perspective will endorse your soft skills from a different perspective than your managers.

Stick to Professional References

Avoid asking friends and family. Generally, employers will recognize a biased letter of reference and discount it. They’ll wonder why you couldn’t obtain a professional recommendation and have to resort to personal relationships.

Are you new to the job market? You can ask any professors, department heads, or internship supervisors that you’ve worked with. Also, consider any professionals that you may have interacted with through a social network or a volunteer opportunity.

How to Ask For a Reference Letter

Admittedly, it can be intimidating to ask someone to take the time to write a reference for you. However, you might be surprised at how willing professionals are to do so. Generally, most supervisors with whom you had a great rapport will feel proud that you’re succeeding and that they were part of your career development.

It would be best to reach out beforehand, rather than send an email out of the blue. Especially if it’s someone you haven’t been in contact with for a while, you’ll want to reconnect. Touching base will help jog their memory about specific circumstances or skills they will highlight. Ask with plenty of time, rather than expecting them to scramble at the last minute.

Follow Up With an Email

After you’ve spoken to them, you’ll want to send an email that includes your resume, cover letter, and the job posting if you’re asking for a specific reference. Let them know if there is a deadline and when you need the letter returned for you to look over. Some recruiters will request that the letter be sent directly to them. In that case, your reference may still ask you if you’d like to review it before they send it in.

If you’re reaching out to a former supervisor and couldn’t have a face-to-face conversation, you can still request one with some flattery and a few essential details.

Sample Reference Letter Requests

For inspiration, consider a template like this for your reference:

Dear Mr. Green,

I hope you’re doing well!

I am touching base because I’m currently applying for a [job title] role with [ABC Company], and part of the process is submitting letters of recommendation.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with you and felt that the skills I learned through several of the projects we collaborated on were an excellent fit for this new opportunity. For example, I thought you’d be a great person to touch on my [example skill] and [example skill], as I thought back to the great feedback you gave me after we worked on [example project] together.

Recognizing that your schedule is generally hectic, I’m happy to help in any way that I can.

The deadline for the letter is [date]. If your schedule doesn’t allow you to fit this in prior, please let me know.

I appreciate your consideration.

Best Regards,

Your Name

Phone

Email

A Slightly More Casual Template

If you’re reaching out to a supervisor or coworker that you could connect with, you can be slightly less formal. Although, you’ll still want to ensure you have all of the information included.

Hi Jessica,

I hope you are doing well today. It was great touching base with you again yesterday. I appreciate your willingness to write a letter of recommendation. To help you brainstorm, I’m including a few of the job duties that I’m tailoring my submission to, along with the projects we worked on together that I feel supported those skills.

[Example #1]
[Example #2]
[Example #3]

The deadline for submitting this is [date]. If anything comes up and you cannot complete the letter, please let me know as soon as possible.

Again, I truly appreciate it, and if I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Best Regards,

Your Name

Your Phone

Your Email

Network Your Way Into a New Job

One of the best things you can do for your career is maintain your network. It’s much easier to ask for a letter of recommendation if you’re in regular contact with your references.

While you’ll want to maintain contact information for five to 10 professional references, there may come a time when you’re required to (or would like to) submit a letter of recommendation. Having a generic one on file to submit with your resume can help you land an interview.

However, if you’re specifically asked to submit one during an interview process, it’s an excellent opportunity to tailor your references for the role. The templates above will help get you started as you reach out to your network.

The post How to Ask for a Reference Letter (With Examples) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

But as you start to speak, you’re lost. Which skills do you talk about? Do you talk about your education? Do you focus on your current job or what you want to do? How do you sum up your entire career in the length of one elevator ride?

What Is an Elevator Pitch? Definition & Meaning

An elevator pitch, or elevator speech, is a brief summary of who you are as a professional. It’s similar to the summary of qualifications on your resume or the “About” section of your LinkedIn profile. In 30 seconds or less, you give the listener enough information about your skills and abilities to get them interested in learning more about you.

Why You Need an Elevator Pitch

You may only have 30 seconds to grab someone’s attention, and a well-crafted and perfectly delivered elevator pitch can do just that!

While you may be prepared for some situations (like a job fair), you never know when a fantastic opportunity may come your way, and having an elevator speech puts you in the driver’s seat. As the name implies, you could end up in an elevator with someone who could help you land your dream job, and you’ve got this one elevator ride to “wow” them!

How to Write an Elevator Pitch

The number one rule of an elevator pitch is to keep it short. And because your time is limited, you may be tempted to squeeze in as much information as possible. 

However, just like you can’t fit everything on your resume, you can’t include everything about yourself in your elevator pitch. The idea is to hook the listener, so stick to the basics and highlight the top one or two things someone should know about you.

Here’s what to include in your elevator pitch.

Who Are You?

It sounds obvious, but many elevator pitches skip this important step!

Start your pitch with who you are. Many people jump into what they do and where they do it but neglect to introduce themselves. And while the person listening to your pitch may be fascinated with your pitch, if they don’t know who you are, they may not connect with what you’re saying.

What Do You Do?

After you introduce yourself, talk about what you do. You can limit this to your title and where you work, though you can include how long you’ve been in your position if you’re comfortable with that. Save the details about your skills for later in the pitch.

What Do You Want to Do?

This is the “first course” of your elevator pitch. What do you want to do next? You don’t have to spend a ton of time on this, but you should give a brief mention of what you’d love in your next job. Do you want to move into management? Learn new skills? Change careers? Throw it in so the listener understands your career goals.

What Are You Good At?

Explaining what you’re good at is the “main course” of your elevator pitch. This is the section you’ll want to devote most of your 30 seconds to, but you’ll also have to pick and choose what you include.

Select one or two skills that explain why you’re good at what you do. Help the listener see why your skills matter and how they add value to your current employer.

What Are You Looking For?

Just before you end your pitch, include a brief mention of what you’re looking for from this particular listener. 

This is slightly different than telling someone what you want to do next. Though what you’re looking for could include information about a job, that’s not always the case. You might be looking for a mentor, a new network connection, or an informational interview.

How Do You Connect?

The end of your pitch should include a call to action that invites the listener to connect with you and continue the conversation.

For example, you can ask them to get together for coffee or a phone call. Whatever it is, make it clear you’re asking for their time and that it’s OK to turn you down.

And if the listener can’t get together, give them a way to contact you. You can go old school and hand the other person a business card (paper or virtual). Or, share your email or personal website address if it’s easy to remember. Likewise, you can mention you’re on LinkedIn and suggest connecting there, possibly with you initiating the connection.

Elevator Pitch Examples

Not every situation will rely on the same elevator speech. So, it’s best to have a few ready to go. Here are a few examples to get you started.

New Graduate

My name is [Name], and I recently graduated from [Name of College] with a degree in [Major or Field of Study]. I [talk about any related activities or internships] and am now looking for a job as [title or field]. Can we meet up for coffee so I can learn more about the field?

Career Changer

I’m [Name] and currently work in [name of field or title]. Though I’ve enjoyed the work and honed my skills in [mention a transferable skill that’s useful in your new field], I’ve decided I want to switch things up and work in [name the field or a job title]. Would you be able to meet with me so I can learn more about your success in the field?

During an Interview

My name is [Name]. Thanks for meeting with me today. I have a [name of degree if applicable] and [X] years of experience in [your career field or the job you’re interviewing for]. I’ve [list one or two top accomplishments and how they benefited your employer]. I’m interested in this role because [state what it is that’s interesting about the job].

How to Give an Elevator Pitch

You might be surprised at all the times your elevator pitch comes in handy. But having an elevator pitch isn’t enough. You also need an effective delivery to get results.

Practice

Practice your pitch out loud a few times and listen to what you’re saying and how you say it. Do you speak in a natural, conversational tone, or are you speaking in a low, monotone voice that’s hard to understand? Are you speaking too quickly? Too slowly? Are you rambling and off-topic?

Record yourself and listen to it a few times to pinpoint what you need to improve. Or, ask some trusted friends or family to listen to your pitch and give you feedback.

Go Slow

You’re limited to about 30 seconds, which may make you think you have to “speed speak” to get every single word in there. But once you practice a few times, you’ll see that 30 seconds is a lot longer than it seems.

Slow your speech down. You don’t have to go slo-mo slow, but make an effort to speak at a natural pace or rhythm that’s easy to listen to. Again, listening to recordings or having live listeners can help you figure out if you’re speaking at the right pace.

If after several trial runs you find that you can’t fit everything in or are having trouble slowing down, try cutting a few things from the pitch. It’s better to leave a few things out and be understood than cram everything in and be greeted with a quizzical look when you’re done!

Stay Positive

When you’re giving your pitch, you may concentrate more on what you’re saying than how you’re saying it.

In addition to speaking in a natural tone and at the right pace, watch yourself deliver the elevator speech in the mirror or watch a recording. Do you maintain eye contact (without staring)? Are you frowning? Do you look like a deer in headlights?

Practice until you look and feel comfortable and confident delivering your pitch.

Make Your Elevator Pitch Short and Sweet

While your elevator pitch may not be “sweet,” it is short and entices the listener into connecting with and learning more about you. Having an elevator pitch at the ready is useful in numerous job search and professional situations. Spend some time crafting a few, so you’re prepared for any situation.

The post How to Write an Impressive Elevator Pitch (with Examples) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Though it’s not common, some companies ask applicants for recommendation letters. And even when they don’t, having a few at the ready can help you land that job. Here’s how to ask for a recommendation letter.

What Is a Recommendation Letter?

A recommendation letter is similar to a reference, just in written form. It describes your skills, abilities, and qualifications for a role and helps a hiring manager understand why you’re the right person for the job.

While it’s common for colleges to request recommendation letters for students, it’s less common for jobs to request them from applicants. That said, it’s not unheard of for employers to ask for recommendation letters—particularly when the job seeker is new to the field or fresh out of college.

Do You Really Need Recommendation Letters?

It’s far more likely that an employer will ask you for references than recommendation letters. However, including recommendation letters in your application materials or sharing them during the interview can help set you apart from other applicants.

How to Ask for a Recommendation Letter

Though asking for a recommendation letter is similar to asking for a reference, there are a few differences to be aware of.

Who Should You Ask?

Because a recommendation letter describes your skills and abilities for a job, it’s best to ask someone who can speak to your abilities. But if you don’t have a former boss or coworker you can ask, there are plenty of people who can write a recommendation letter for you.

Think about people who can speak to any of your transferable skills. For example, if you volunteer, your fellow volunteers or supervisor are a great place to start. You could also ask a teacher who might be able to highlight your time management, problem-solving, or leadership skills. 

Give Ample Lead Time

Anyone who agrees to write a recommendation letter for you will likely need some time to create it. Give the people you ask at least a few weeks lead time, so they don’t feel pressured or rushed or even have to turn you down because they don’t have the time.

Include the Essential Details

Whether you ask in person or via email, make sure you include the essential details the letter writer will need. This includes the type or types of jobs you’re applying for, why you’re qualified for the role, and when you’d like to have the letter by.

Also, include a “brag sheet” or resume with a list of your big wins, skills, and anything else that could help them out.

Give Them an Out

Even if it would be a big win to have a specific person write a recommendation letter for you, make it easy for everyone you ask to say no. Not everyone will have the time to write a letter for you, and sometimes people are uncomfortable with it or have a general “no recommendation letter” policy.

Thank the Letter Writer

When someone agrees to write you a recommendation letter, thank them at that time, and again when you’ve received it. It’s a kind and professional gesture on your part that goes a long way and will be remembered.

Set Yourself Apart with a Great Letter of Recommendation

Setting yourself apart from other applicants is often the key to getting the job. And being the applicant with some standout recommendation letters can help your application materials stand out in the crowd.

The post How to Ask For a Recommendation Letter appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Clearly, being found online today is NOT optional if you want to have a successful career (and job search).

To be found, implement personal SEO (“search engine optimization”).

Personal SEO requires that you create relevant web content, containing appropriate keywords, so that it ranks well when someone is searching for those keywords.

For most professionals, this means a complete LinkedIn Profile and consistent visibility inside LinkedIn. But, simply having a LinkedIn Profile is NOT enough unless you are paying attention to your keywords.

To be found, implementing effective personal SEO is a necessity.

Keywords Are the Key to Being Found in Search

The right keywords, most appropriate for you and your goals, are the foundation of successful personal SEO.

KEYWORDS: The terms used by searchers to find relevant content in a search engine, social network, applicant tracking system, or other database

Selection and placement of the right keywords is the core of effective SEO (search engine optimization). Use those terms in the right places in resumes, applications, and social media (especially LinkedIn) and you will be found.

Without the right keywords (for you), in the right places (LinkedIn Profile, resume, application), you are invisible online, and employers clearly do NOT like invisible job candidates.

Exact Keyword Match Is Usually Required

If a recruiter is searching for someone with experience in Microsoft Word, your name won’t appear in search results unless your social profile or resume contain the exact term Microsoft Word. Microsoft Office, the product which includes Microsoft Word, is not a match.

This means you will not be included in search results for the term Microsoft Word unless you also include that term in the documents.

Currently, most software is not programmed to make assumptions. If a job description requires experience with “Microsoft Word,” most systems won’t understand that a resume for someone who is “highly skilled with Microsoft Office products” meets that requirement because the exact term “Microsoft Word” is not included.

Even if you have that experience or skill, you are invisible unless your social profile, application, or resume includes the term being searched.

Building Your Personal SEO with Your Best Keywords

Think like a recruiter filling the job you want next. How is that job described in job postings? What skills, tools, etc. are required?

Research how your target employers define your target job to determine your best keywords, as listed below.

Look through the list below and choose what is appropriate for you. Develop your keywords based on the following categories of information:

Keywords About You, Personally:

1. Your professional name

Most people don’t think of their names as important keywords, but in these days of search engines and social media…

Your name is your most important set of keywords. Be consistent!

If your resume or business card is for “Edward J. Jones” but your LinkedIn Profile is for “Ed Jones” (or vice versa), you’ve made it difficult for a recruiter or employer to make the connection between the two, which most will need to do. Not having a LinkedIn Profile is a negative for most professionals, so using different names can damage opportunities for you.

You need to consistently use the same version of your name for your LinkedIn Profile, resumes, business/networking cards, professional email, meeting name tags and badges, and other visibility so recruiters doing research on you can “connect the dots” between you and your professional visibility.

[Practice Defensive Googling, and read Your Most Important Keywords for more information on avoiding mistaken online identity and Personal Online Reputation Management for the new necessity today.]

2. Your location (or your target location)

According to LinkedIn, “More than 30% of recruiters use advanced search based on location.”

Use the best location for you, but DO have a specific location because using a country is too generic. Not having a location will handicap you in most searches. If appropriate for your location, use both city and state plus regional names — like Oakland, CA, and East Bay Area, or Manhattan and New York City — so your profile is in the search results for either.

Do NOT provide your street address. At most, include the city and state. Read How to Safely Publish Your Contact Information on LinkedIn for important tips.

3. Your languages

If you speak more than one language, make it clear the languages that you can speak. Also indicate your level of proficiency — from “native” through “basic” or “elementary” and whether you can read, write, and/or speak the languages.

To demonstrate your skills in multiple languages, create a LinkedIn Profile in each of them. LinkedIn allows and encourages this, and it’s a great way to gain attention for jobs requiring people who can speak and write in more than one language.

4. College degrees and other post-secondary education

Include your college degree and the school. Also include your major if your degree is recent and your major is relevant to your target job.

5. GPA — new grads only!

If your GPA is above average, and you are looking for your first job after college, include your GPA.

[Read Improving Your GPA After Graduation for a secret, but honest, way to present a better GPA.]

Keywords for Your Professional Goals:

6. Your target job title

The title for the job that you want next, preferably the version(s) used by your target employers, is a very important set of keywords.

When in doubt about exactly which job title to use, become a slash person like this – “Senior Administrative Assistant / Executive Assistant.” Both versions of the job title are included, so your Profile will be found regardless of which term is used for searching.

If your current or target employer uses a unique job title for the job you want, include that term as well as the standard term used by most employers so your Profile will be found in a search for either term.

For example, a job seeker who is a senior administrative assistant has the official job title of “Admin Wizard” again becomes a slash person — “Senior Administrative Assistant/Admin Wizard” — using both terms in her Profile Headline and the job title for her current job

7. Your industry

Specify your industry (current or target): civil engineering, mechanical engineering, management consulting, market research, medical devices, nanotechnology, biotechnology, healthcare, and so on.

Be sure to choose the current term used to describe your industry. For example, use “information technology” or “IT” rather than the out-of-date terms “MIS” or “management information systems.”

Keywords for Your Work History:

8. Current job title

Your current job titles are also important keywords. Focus on the standard job titles that are used now by your target employers, particularly if current (or former) employer(s) used non-standard titles.

For example, if your employer calls your job “IT Support Wizard” (not a commonly-used term and not the one used by your target employers), become a slash person — change your job title to “IT Support Wizard / Senior IT Support Technician” or what ever is appropriate for you.

9. Current employer

If you are currently employed, include the name of your current employer (unless you are in a confidential search).

10. Former job titles

Your former job titles are often important keywords because they can indicate a depth of experience and knowledge. Again, standardize the job titles used now by your target employers so that the experience is found and valued appropriately.

As with your current job title, if a former employer called your job something unusual or simply out-of-date now, become a slash person — change that job title to use the current terminology that is accurate and appropriate for you.

For example, maybe your job title 10 years ago was “MIS Project Manager.” The current terminology for that job is “IT Project Manager,” so edit that job title to be “MIS / IT Project Manager.” The goal is to be accurate, using current technology.

11. Former employers

Particularly if you have worked for well-known and well-respected companies in your industry or field, be sure to include those company names, even if your experience there was more than ten years ago.

12. Volunteering

If you volunteer anywhere, include what you do and who you do it for, particularly if it helps fill in an employment gap and/or is related to your career track. The work done and the organization’s name are excellent keywords.

Keywords for Your Professional Qualifications and Major Accomplishments:

13. Your skills

Preferably focus on the skills most in demand for the job you want next (e.g., managing a P&L, using Microsoft Word and Excel, driving an 18-wheeler, leading a project team, etc.) need to be included – even if they are not the skills you use primarily for your most current job.

This is a key search criteria for recruiters using LinkedIn Recruiter. Read Secret to Powerful LinkedIn Profile SEO: Leverage Skills & Endorsements for details.

According to LinkedIn, “Members with 5 or more skills listed are contacted (messaged) up to 33x more by recruiters and other LinkedIn members, and receive up to 17x more profile views. ”

14. Licenses relevant to your profession

Add the licenses you hold that show you are qualified to do the job you want, including the organization who does the licensing and the number of years you have held the license.

15. Job-specific, profession-specific, and industry-specific tools and techniques

Add the relevant tools and techniques that you use or are qualified to use because of training, education, and/or experience (e.g. MRI, Mastercam, LEED, etc.).

16. Job-specific or industry-specific software and hardware

Include the software required for your target job that you use or have been trained to use, particularly if it’s unique to your job, industry, or profession (e.g. SAP, ASP, FileMaker, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word).

Add any specific hardware that may be required for your target job if you have experience using it or have been trained to use it, particularly if it is unique to your job, industry, or profession (e.g. heart monitors, scanners, even different versions of smart phones if they are relevant to the job).

17. Internet tools and apps relevant to your job or profession

Include Internet tools and apps that you use or are qualified to use because of training, education, and/or experience (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Hootsuite, Google Analytics, AWS, AdWords, etc.).

18. Honors, awards, recognition, and patents

If you’ve received awards, scholarships, honors, or recognition from your employer, a customer or client, or your profession or industry, be sure to include them. If you have created anything(s) that was then patented, add those terms to your social media profiles (LinkedIn has a section specifically for patents) using the complete name(s), keyword-rich description(s), and the patent number(s).

19. Industry, professional, and/or technical names and acronyms

The more acronyms; the better, as long as they are appropriate to your experience and education. Include what they represent as well, just in case someone searches on the complete term, like Early Childhood Education (ECE) or ISO (International Standards Organization).

20. Certifications or other proof of professional or industry knowledge

Include all proof of professional knowledge or achievement, particularly focusing on those that are current, like applicable course work, post-graduate courses, professional training, on-the-job-training, and certifications, etc.

Note: If you hold, or held, a federal government security clearance, be extremely cautious about publishing the level of clearance on social media, particularly if it is classified. By making your clearance public, you may eliminate yourself from consideration because you have demonstrated a lack of understanding in the rules associated with classified information

If you are applying for a job that requires a specific clearance you hold, you can usually include that clearance in the application, assuming that the job is not a scam.

21. Clients and/or categories of clients

Mention those groups of clients who need your services, like national specialty retailers or SME (small and medium enterprises) for example. If one of your clients was a very well-known or well-respected company or person, like the Department of Defense or Warren Buffett, include those names — unless the relationship was classified or company confidential.

22. Major projects

If you were involved in any major projects, name and describe them, highlighting the relevancy to your target job.

If the project didn’t have an official name (not required!), create a descriptive one, like “Corporate-wide WiFi implementation.” Then, briefly describe the project, including the important and relevant keywords, and quantifying it if possible.

Read Grab Recruiter Attention with LinkedIn Projects for details.

23. Relevant industry and professional organizations

Include the industry and professional organizations or societies that you have joined (plus committee membership and current or former officer titles), and how long you have been a member.

24. Your publications

If you have written any books, white papers, or articles, particularly relevant to the job or profession you are targeting, be sure to include them. It is surprisingly easy to create a Kindle ebook on Amazon.com.

25. Relevant laws and regulations

If experience, understanding, or training in specific laws or regulations is required for your target job — and you are qualified — include the names of these laws and regulations, like ITAR/EAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations / Export Administration Regulations) or Sarbanes–Oxley (SOX) compliance.

Notice that both the whole term (e.g. “Sarbanes-Oxley”) and the acronym (“SOX”) are included. Again, this should mean that your Profile will be found regardless of which version of the name of the law is included.

Bottom Line on Keywords for Your Job Search

Do the research to identify your best and most important keywords. Then, include those terms, appropriately, in your 12 Steps to Outrank Your Competitors in LinkedIn Search in 2020 (Personal LinkedIn SEO), resumes, job applications, and other online professional visibility, as appropriate.

• Do NOT be inaccurate or deceptive! “Marketing mode” is fine; scam mode is not a good long-term strategy.  People are fired for lying on their resume or job application even when the lies are discovered after several years of employment.
• Do NOT senselessly list or repeat your keywords. This is known as “keyword stuffing,” and the technology recognizes it easily and ignores those Profiles. So, listing keywords, even in white text, is a deadly mistake.Instead, include the keywords logically in the content of your Profile. A robust Profile, with descriptions of each of your jobs and your employers, offers plenty of opportunities to naturally include your keywords.

Read How to Optimize the Right Keywords for Your Resumes for methods of researching and using the best keywords. Optimizing your resume for an employer’s or recruiter’s search should increase the effectiveness of your resume.

* The CareerBuilder Study

According to an August 2018 study released by CareerBuilder:

• Nearly half of employers (47 percent) say that if they can’t find a job candidate online, they are less likely to call that person in for an interview.
  • 28 percent say that is because they like to gather more information before calling in a candidate for an interview.
  • 20 percent say they expect candidates to have an online presence.

More about Keywords and Personal SEO:

• 12 Steps to Outrank Your Competitors in LinkedIn Search in 2020 (Personal LinkedIn SEO)
• Guide to Personal SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
• Guide to LinkedIn SEO: How to Be More Visible in LinkedIn
• Understanding Keywords
• Your Most Important Keywords
• 12 Steps to Outrank Your Competitors in LinkedIn Search in 2020 (Personal LinkedIn SEO)
• Choosing the Best Keywords for Your LinkedIn Profile
• Secret to Powerful LinkedIn Profile SEO: LinkedIn Skills & Endorsements

About the author…

Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce has been observing the online job search world and teaching online job search skills since 1995. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a recent Visiting Scholar at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Susan is a two-time layoff “graduate” who has worked in human resources at Harvard University and in a compensation consulting firm. Since 1998, Susan has been editor and publisher of Job-Hunt.org. Follow Susan on Twitter at @jobhuntorg and on Facebook, LinkedIn.
More about this author…

The post 25 Keywords To Improve Your Job Search Profile appeared first on Job-Hunt.

The secret for increasing visitor traffic to your LinkedIn Profile is to apply effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques.

Effective keyword optimization for your LinkedIn Profile is not as difficult to do as it sounds.

Basically, LinkedIn is a very large database of profiles that uses keyword fields to order (or “index”) the entire collection of data.

Since most of LinkedIn’s revenue is generated by recruiters using LinkedIn to find candidates, LinkedIn knows the best keywords for personal SEO.

The good news? Most of the terms you enter on LinkedIn are searchable by other users — meaning that you can’t go wrong by appropriately including keywords that represent, of course, the job titles and skills appropriate for you that are found in job postings.

However, if you also understand (and leverage) LinkedIn’s indexing method, you’ll be in a better position to grow your traffic. So you’ll want to add more keywords, taking steps to increase the keyword density in specific fields, as described below.

[Related: The 25 Best Keywords for Your Job Search and Career, and Developing Your Best Keywords.]

Best Keywords for LinkedIn Profile

Here are 5 tips for effective LinkedIn SEO (and more views) on your Profile:

  1. Pay Attention to Your Professional Headline.  

The most prominent branding message on your LinkedIn Profile is also the most critical when it comes to SEO.

Next to your name, your Professional Headline, the phrase that appears below your name, is the most highly rated field in the index.

What does this mean? Keywords listed in the Headline field will have a greater impact, increasing your ranking among other users for the same terms.

Now you know why using the default “current-job” Headline is not a good idea!

As an example, consider switching

“Vice President Sales at ABC Corporation” (your current position)

to

“VP Sales. Revenue Growth in Cloud-Enabled Technology Solutions. Product Development & Sales Operations Leadership”  (your current position with more keywords added to more fully explain it)

This strategy prevents ABC Corporation from becoming a highly relevant search term on this user’s Profile, while enabling other keywords (Product Development, Sales Operations, Cloud-Enabled Technology, Revenue Growth) to draw more traffic.

LinkedIn allows you to use 120 spaces for your Headline, and using as many of the 120 as possible is smart.

[Related: Choosing the Best Keywords for Your LinkedIn Profile.]

  2. Consider Adding Keywords to Your Job Title.  

The Job Title field on LinkedIn is also a highly indexed field (as is your Employer name). However, if your current job title is too vague, you can miss out on a chance for more traffic.

What works well in this case is to add content to your Job Title, taking care not to change your job title.

For example,

“Operations Associate” can become

“Operations Associate – Operations Manager for Thermo-printing Division”

The second version more fully explains the true job function to someone outside of the organization.

Other examples:

“Senior Consultant” becomes “Senior Consultant , IT Project Management”

”Financial Analyst” becomes “Financial Analyst – Audit & Compliance”

In each example, the second version provides both more keyword detail and a clearer explanation of the job. LinkedIn currently allows you 100 spaces for your job title, and, as usual, using as many as possible for appropriate keywords is smart.

  3. Use Your About Section for Additional Keyword Content.  

Although not considered a highly indexed part of LinkedIn, your About section (formerly called the “Summary”) must nevertheless contain compelling text, along with a high percentage of keywords relevant to your goal:

“As an IT Director, my goal is to satisfy stakeholders and speak the language of our trading industry users, while implementing technologies to boost processing speed and accelerate business transformation. I’ve led IT project teams of up to 110 in service delivery and brought hosting costs down 32%, even during rapid growth.”

“In Senior Manager and Director of Sales roles, I’ve built trust among customers and captured market trends in the oil and gas industry… with new sales channels and alliances that grew revenue 123%. I enjoy the challenge of creating a competitive edge through increased brand recognition and high-performance sales team mentoring.”

This type of About language employs more robust keyword content than a resume summary — which is a key reason you shouldn’t duplicate your resume on your LinkedIn Profile.

[Related: The Top 25 Keywords for Your Job Search.]

  4. Add Projects and Other “Extra” Sections on LinkedIn.  

Often neglected as a great strategy for adding more detail (and keywords)…

Sections like Projects, Certifications, or Honors & Awards can be used to inject more keywords.

Should you decide to use these sections, keep your wording short and keyword-dense. For example, a Certification for a particular software language could state “Java Developer” with the initials of the credential.

A COO in the real estate industry could also add several Projects entitled “Commercial Real Estate – NYC” to show proficiency in overseeing large-city construction efforts.

In the Honors & Awards section, you can add accolades that begin with your desired job title (“Senior Sales Executive winning President’s Club for 5 years”).

[Learn more: How to List Awards, Scholarships, and Honors on Your Resume]

  5. Choose Your “Skills” and Continue Collecting “Endorsements.”  

One of the most misunderstood sections of LinkedIn, the Skills & Endorsements area started out as a directly searchable group of keywords.

Now, it has evolved into an SEO tool that can draw serious traffic, but only if it’s used correctly.

The terms you add to Skills & Expertise factor more heavily in your LinkedIn searchability when you are endorsed for them. Therefore, it makes sense to add keywords and obtain (and accept) Endorsements on them.

A caveat: ensure the terms you add in this section are really keywords. Given a choice between a “hard skill” (such as “Project Management”) and a character trait (such as “Leadership”), employers may prefer to search for specific competencies.

[Related: 4 Steps to Leverage LinkedIn Skills & Endorsements for a More Powerful Profile.]

The Bottom Line on Keywords for Your Linked Profile and Headline

These are just a few tips for boosting your LinkedIn’s SEO factor (as there are more critical fields and strategies that can be used to generate traffic!). Even if you don’t understand SEO concepts, remember that adding more content to your Profile nearly always results in more visitors – especially when you capitalize on keywords to attract employer interest.

Keywords in LinkedIn Profiles:

• 12 Steps to Outrank Your Competitors in LinkedIn Search in 2020 (Personal LinkedIn SEO)
• Your Name: The Most Important Keywords for Your Job Search and Career
• 7 Best Ways for IT Professionals to Optimize Keywords for a More Powerful LinkedIn Profile
• Social Profile Keyword Success Secrets
• Personal Branding: SEO for Your LinkedIn Headline

About the author…

Job-Hunt’s LinkedIn for Job Search Expert Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Director of An Expert Resume, is an award-winning executive resume writer, national columnist, author, LinkedIn and SEO enthusiast, and past recruiter. Laura is author of How to Get Hired Faster: 60+ Proven Tips and Strategies to Access the Hidden Job Market. Follow Laura on Twitter at @ResumeExpert and on LinkedIn.
More about this author…

The post Double (or Triple) Your LinkedIn Profile Views with Keywords appeared first on Job-Hunt.

LinkedIn is THE social network for job search, so it is definitely the place to be.

5 Ways to Add Recruiters on LinkedIn to Your Network

Building on the information in the previous article, take these steps to add recruiters to your LinkedIn Network.

1.  Search for Recruiters on LinkedIn.

Adding recruiters to your network takes only a little effort on your part. You can find members by typing the word “recruiter” (singular not the plural form) in the search box, and then entering your current (or desired) location in the “Location” box.

You can also search by employer name and connection level (1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree). Click on “All Filters” on the right side of the “People filters” bar to see all of the search options.

To find people with whom you share a school, type the school name into the search box or click on your school name in your Profile.

If you know the recruiter’s name, simply type it into the search bar, and LinkedIn will show you the person’s Profile link. When you know the person’s name, you don’t need to be connected at any level to see their LinkedIn Profile.

If you’re in the same LinkedIn Group(s), you can leverage that to send an invite. Or you can use InMail or a common connection for an introduction. It is important to state a little bit about you so that your invite does not seem too generic.

For a LinkedIn invitation message to a recruiter, I would simply say something along the lines of:

Hi [first name], I am currently in a job search and connecting with others to build my professional network. You appear to be a recruiter who might be interested in my background for current or future roles you seek to fill. Feel free to request my resume once we connect on LinkedIn.

Much appreciated,
Name

If the recruiter doesn’t reach out with a LinkedIn message or an email AFTER connecting, a follow-up message can be:

Thanks for connecting with me on LinkedIn. As mentioned, I’d be happy to provide you with a resume for future opportunities. I am mainly looking for roles such as x, y, and z. I am currently at a level of (Manager, Director, etc.), but am open to all levels of responsibility or sole-contributor.

Thanks again,
Name

You can also grow your network by leveraging LinkedIn’s PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW tool in the “My Network” section — some of these folks suggested to you are 2nd degree connections that you actually know. Some you will not know, but will be good people to network with. Reach out with a customized invitation to connect.

2.  Become More Visible on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn offers ever-increasing ways to grow your visibility, but do tread carefully. Avoid being rude or nasty, and pick your topics carefully.

Join LinkedIn Groups relevant to your profession, employer, and industry. Share and make professional comments in Group “conversations.” Share updates from your LinkedIn home page — industry news and other information relevant and important to professionals like you.

If you like to write and can write well, publish articles on LinkedIn. As usual, the best idea is to stay “on topic” for you and your profession. When an article is published, share it in your updates, on Twitter and Facebook, and your other professional visibility.

3.  Use Keywords to Describe Yourself AND to Demonstrate Credibility Throughout Your Profile

It is still good advice to use keywords in your job descriptions—at least a few sentences beyond your title. Just because you list Software Developer, doesn’t mean a recruiter knows the kind of programs you worked on or what tools you used.

Endorsements:

Beyond job descriptions, it is very easy to share your skill set on LinkedIn using the Skills section which includes Endorsements by other members, hopefully. These are not as substantial as Recommendations, but as you collect Endorsements for your top skills, you’ll build credibility and are more visible in LinkedIn Recruiter searches.

Feel free to endorse others as they will be notified and likely endorse you in return. As long as you are accurate in picking skills in which they excel, I see no reason not to “trade endorsements.”

[Read 4 Steps to Leverage LinkedIn Skills & Endorsements for a More Powerful Profile for more information.]

Recommendations:

Recommendations are now listed within each position you have held. All the more reason to ask for recommendations (just a few per job will do) to validate the work you did. In the past, some readers of your Profile may have missed the Recommendations at the bottom, but now they are very noticeable.

Volunteering/Causes:

Another nice feature in LinkedIn is the Volunteer Experience Section of Background. This can be leveraged to share your non-work activities that round out your personality. For some hiring managers or recruiters, it may give them an ice-breaker to start a conversation with you (they might even have similar experiences).

[Read the 25 Best Keywords for Your Job Search. Also check out 10 Steps to Better Ranking in LinkedIn Search for more detailed LinkedIn SEO strategies.]

4.  Provide Contact Info

Details for contacting you are at the top of your Profile in the “See contact info” in your Profile’s “Introduction Card” which is the top section of your Profile. You can include email, telephone, address, websites, and Twitter. Do NOT make your home address or birthdate visible!

Depending on your Profile settings and use of InMail, not everyone will be able to see your email address. So, recruiters may not see your email address to contact you directly (outside of LinkedIn) unless you place that information in your Profile’s Summary. This is a personal decision as you may get a lot of email from recruiters, depending on your abilities and experience.

By the way, if you don’t want recruiters contacting you about contractor roles (or permanent roles), feel free to state this. They tend to listen. If you only want to take on side projects, share that, too.

Also, I highly recommend you use your personal email as the link in your LinkedIn account/mail. You might be surprised to hear how many job seekers I’ve seen using the work email. Not usually a good idea.

[Read Safely Publish Your Contact Information for more details.]

5.  Be Open to Connections

LinkedIn has evolved to be a “place” to make contacts, not just archive the ones you already have. Employers know that smart employees are always building their networks (heck, your boss probably is, too).

Inside LinkedIn, your visiblity in LinkedIn People search results depends on the number of connections you have since search results include only people in your network (1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree connections). So, the more connections you have inside of LinkedIn, the greater your LinkedIn visibility will be.

On your Profile, LinkedIn now has a section near the top called “Articles and Activity” which includes anything you’ve shared with the LinkedIn world. While LinkedIn automatically makes anything you publish visible to your 1st-degree connections, anyone can “Follow” you by simply clicking that button on your Profile.

If you don’t want to allow anyone not a 1st degree connection to follow you, you can opt out in your Profile’s Settings & Privacy controls.

Bottom Line on Connecting With Recruiters on LinkedIn

Particularly in the USA, but increasingly across the globe, LinkedIn remains the go-to resource for recruiters and hiring managers to learn more about your professional experience. Some hiring managers will also use it to determine common connections and ask those connections of yours about you (without you knowing). Even the simplest of Profiles gives you a chance to be found by recruiters, but the more you put into it, the more likely it can lead to connections to your next job.

If you haven’t read the first part of this series, here it is — How to Be Found by Recruiters on LinkedIn.

More About Working with Recruiters:

• How to Be Found by Recruiters on LinkedIn
• Smart Answers to Interview Questions
• 3 Steps to Interview Success: Build Your Interview Checklist
• Your Stories: The Secret to Interview Success
• 9 Secrets for Nailing Your Phone Interview
• The Starting Salary Question
• How Your Social Media Reputation Impacts Hiring Decisions
• How to Manage Your References to Close – NOT Kill – Opportunities
• Over 50: Managing the “Age Issue”
• How to Gracefully Leave Your Old Job
• How to Find a Job While You Have One

About the author…

Job-Hunt’s Working with Recruiters Expert Jeff Lipschultz is a 20+ year veteran in management, hiring, and recruiting of all types of business and technical professionals. He has worked in industries ranging from telecom to transportation to dotcom. Jeff is a founding partner of A-List Solutions, a Dallas-based recruiting and employment consulting company. Learn more about him through his company site alistsolutions.com. Follow Jeff on LinkedIn and on Twitter (@JLipschultz).
More about this author…

The post How to Connect With Recruiters On LinkedIn (with Sample Messages) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Snag your new job while others are distracted or taking time off during the “slow” holiday period.

Job seekers often suspend their job search for “the holidays,” from early or mid-November through New Year’s Day, on the theory that no one is interviewed or hired during that period.

Waiting until January 1 is a VERY BIG MISTAKE!

MOST employers are STILL hiring during this period (to meet the special needs of the holidays, to prepare for the new year, to replace someone who left, etc.).

Less Competition and More Employer Desperation

With so many people dropping out of the job market during the holidays, there is less competition for jobs.

But, employers usually are desperate to fill their openings before the year ends:

• To “staff up” to 100% so they can hit the ground running on January 1 at the start of the New Year.
• To avoid losing the worker. For many employers, a job is unfilled at the end of the year is removed from a manager’s headcount and budget. To fill that job next year means navigating an approval process to add that headcount back into the budget, to avoid that hassle,

So, for employers, filling their job jobs before the end of the year is usually a major goal.

5 Ways to Reach Out During the Holidays

Use the holidays to differentiate yourself in any (or all) of these ways:

  1. Send Holiday Greeting Cards to Recruiters  

Send a holiday greeting card to that nice recruiter you met back in May or August, or the hiring manager who almost hired you last month or last year.

If you don’t think they’ll remember you (assume they won’t), include a brief reminder of your last contact, who you are, and, perhaps, a business card.

Beat the rush for this holiday season by sending a Happy Thanksgiving card during November, or even a Happy Halloween card during late October.

Cards for the obvious holiday (Christmas) are probably appropriate, if you know that the recipient is Christian, but more generic “Happy Holiday” cards are considered safer and more “PC,” hopefully covering Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, too.

Pick cards for the specific holiday if you know they are appropriate, but be VERY careful not to offend someone by sending the “wrong” card.

Your card will probably be competing with many other similar holiday cards, but not very many from other job seekers.

Read Are Recruiters on YOUR Holiday Card List? for tips from recruiter Jeff Lipschultz.

Or, send a Happy New Year card in late December, if you’re determined to waste these prime hunting months and compete with everyone else on Jan. 2.

  2. Use the Holidays as an Ice Breaker in Interviews and Networking Events   

The common “problem” of “surviving” the year-end holidays can help you establish rapport in an interview.

Even if it’s just complaining about the holiday crowds, the crazy weather, or being too busy, discussing the holidays is usually a natural topic.

It’s also an easy way to break through the awkwardness of meeting someone for the first time in an interview or networking event, and establishing common ground.

  3. Talk About Your Job Search or Employment Status at Holiday Events  

If your friends and extended family don’t know that you are looking for a job, let them know, casually, at holiday events.

If you know someone who works at one of your target employers, contact them directly yourself with a greeting card and/or phone call.

Use these get togethers as an opportunity to let people know that you are job hunting, and ask if anyone knows someone who works at [whatever employer you want].

The connections that lead to jobs can happen in the unlikeliest places — I’ve even seen people make connections at a funeral that resulted in job offers, even new careers, and while standing in the long lines at the grocery store checkout.

Read Surviving Holiday Parties: Networking for Introverts for more tips.

  4. Use the Holidays as an Excuse to Re-establish Connections  

The holidays (all year around, but particularly in November and December) are a great excuse to get back in touch with someone – your former boss(es?) and co-workers, college roommates, high school buddies, people in the house/apartment next door, kid’s soccer coach, etc.

Think about people whom you genuinely liked but have lost touch with, and track them down using LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, etc.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to re-establish a relationship that can benefit everyone involved. (Might not be a good idea to track down your high school sweetheart, though…unless you’re both single.)

If you really know the person well, just call them up. If you don’t know them well, send a greeting card – one of the “real” cards, made of paper, put into an envelope with a stamp, and dropped off at the Post Office. Worst case, reach out via email or an InMail in LinkedIn.

Read 5 Ways to Advance Your Job Search During the Holidays for more tips.

  5. Add an Update for Marketing  

Include a personal note in your card, perhaps thanking them for their time in the past.

If you’re feeling bold (what do you have to lose?) include a short, 1 to 3 sentence update on what you’ve been doing since you last were in contact. The update should contain only “highlights” of the NEW news in your working life and qualifications – contract/volunteer work, education/certifications, publications, and so on — with a very brief reminder (if needed) of your basic qualifications.

You may also want to close with a sentence about getting together for coffee, a drink after work, or whatever is appropriate. Then, follow-up by phone.

  BONUS: “Lesser” Holidays  =  MORE Differentiation!  

Your card won’t be competing with all the other holiday cards if you pick one of the holidays where sending holiday cards are not a tradition. Ground Hog Day, Lincoln’s birthday, and St. Patrick’s Day are some good winter holidays, and you can usually find appropriate greeting cards for those days.

Check out the greeting card section of your grocery store next time you do the grocery shopping. You might be surprised at the “holidays” you find. Take advantage of them!

Career Coach Observations

Dr. Jan Cannon, author and founder of the Cannon Career Center, recommends the holidays as an excellent time to job hunt because:

• Many companies have their budgets for the new year and are recruiting for people to start work in January. So, looking in January is looking too late for jobs at these companies.
• People are generally in a “holiday mood” during this time, even though shopping, vacations, and holiday party schedules may make them more elusive.
• Fewer job seekers try to find jobs during this period, so competition is not as intense, and you will have an easier time standing out from the crowd NOW.
• Holiday events are good networking opportunities.

Recruiter Perspective

Sandra A. MacKay, a Boston-area consulting recruiter, agrees with Dr. Cannon.

Sandra observed that a “significant amount of hiring takes place in last quarter of the year.” For example, she was engaged by one client company on September 29 with a goal of filling as many job openings as possible before the end of the year. This is typical of many recruiters and HR staffs during this time of year.

In addition, Sandra recommends continuing your job search, as vigorously as you can during the holiday season, so that you are well-positioned when the traditional January 2nd job market boom begins (and everyone else begins or re-starts their job search).

Bottom Line

Don’t take the holidays “off.” Stay focused on your job search, and you’ll land that next great job while everyone else is shopping or not paying attention!

More Articles About Holiday Job Search:

• 5 Ways to Advance Your Job Search During the Holidays
• Holiday Party Your Way to a New Job
• Are Recruiters on YOUR Holiday Card List?
• Surviving Holiday Parties: Networking for Introverts
• Building Your Personal Brand During the Holidays
• Holiday Networking Like a Pro
• New Job for the New Year
• How to Find a Seasonal Job

More Holiday Job Search Tips

Check out our $0.99 Kindle book, New Year, New Job! Or grab the FREE PDF version. This ebook contains 100+ tips from Job-Hunt’s Experts, networking and job search tips that will help you all year around, and you don’t need a Kindle to read it.

About the author…

Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce has been observing the online job search world and teaching online job search skills since 1995. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a recent Visiting Scholar at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Susan is a two-time layoff “graduate” who has worked in human resources at Harvard University and in a compensation consulting firm. Since 1998, Susan has been editor and publisher of Job-Hunt.org. Follow Susan on Twitter at @jobhuntorg and on Facebook, LinkedIn.
More about this author…

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