Optimise your career using LinkedIn.com

How to look great, get noticed and get hired through LinkedIn.com

February 2013

Charles HardyStrategic Recruitment Product

Consultant

Five reasons why the world’s best professionals

join and visit LinkedIn…

1

2 3

5

.NET

Developers

Biotech &

PharmaCreative

Design Pros

4 1,250,000+ groups

Personal

Branding

Sharing

knowledge Finding a

new job

Networking

with peersInnovation

2

Why you need a great profile…

…viewing profiles is the No.1 activity on

LinkedIn.com

Your digital profile is a reflection of who you

are, what you’ve done and what you’d like to do…

First impressions do count – and that’s now via your profile

Prospective employers, potential business connections, new

clients – all are checking you out in advance of your first meeting

Digital profiles are making the CV / resume a formality

Your on-line profile is an opportunity to tell your story the way you

want it told

Your digital profile is an asset to building your personal and

professional brand. It shows not just who you are, but how you

interact.

5Forbes, Dec 2012

So you need to get the basics right…

Firstly, you may want to deactivate your activity

broadcasts before you got to work on your profile…

7

OK, let’s make a Great First Impression

Just your real name No email address here, or qualifications

Creative Headline Works Best Don’t mistake this for your title – you can

customize this for your target audience

Add a Photo Professional (and friendly) headshot is ideal

Click the pencil

icon to edit

Optimise your personal brand…And consider your target audience

Link Your Professional Twitter Account

Customize your Website Options Work or projects you have delivered

Role / Skill specific site

Customize Your Public Profile settings and URL To optimize your appearance in search engine results

9

Your Summary – your elevator pitchWhat are the most important messages?

3 Paragraphs is Ideal

– Aspiration at the top – where do you want to go?

– Couple of key facts that support you going there

– Top level on most relevant Career Experience

10

Your ExperienceFocus on your top selling points

Highlights from current / most recent role

What are your objectives?

How fit into overall organization

What have you achieved / delivered?

11

Your SkillsAdd your skills and expertise – and get endorsed

Add skills

Get

endorsed

12

Collect valued recommendationsManagers, clients, partners…

13

Additional informationAdd relevant documentation…

14

Steps to a Successful Brand – The Top 10Let’s Build a Great Profile on LinkedIn

1) Real name – no email

2) Write a headline and craft your summary for your audience

3) Include a photo – put a face with your name

4) Be aspirational – what do you want to achieve?

5) Include links to your relevant web content

6) Create a vanity URL

7) Add your work history

8) Add skills and gain endorsements

9) Get valued recommendations

10) Personalize your profile – brand not resume

15

So now you have an awesome profile…

…how do you maximize your LinkedIn

presence?

Build Your Network

– expand your reach and influenceImport from your email address books

18

Give! Give! Give! - Update Your StatusRegularly share knowledge to your network

Latest jobs

Relevant news

and insights

Being a

person

“Charles is so on the ball! He really knows his stuff

and is great at collaborating.” 19

Use LinkedIn TodayIdentify relevant, valuable news and share to your network

Sign up to news relevant news sites such as BBC and Forbes.

Think of your specialisms, your aspirations – niche sites.20

Follow Companies you are interested in working forFollowers receive relevant updates, news, links – and jobs

Receive latest

news, articles and

jobs = share to your

network

Jobs on LinkedInRecommended job matches on your Home page

22

Jobs on LinkedInSearch for jobs, refine your search

23

Jobs on LinkedInSet alerts, save jobs, apply, similar jobs

24

Share relevant jobs to your network

25

Utilize GroupsJoin relevant groups to position yourself as a centre of excellence in your

sector / specialism

Join Many

(up to 50)

Participate in a 2 or 3

Be highly active in 1

Groups

.NET

DevelopersBiotech &

PharmaDesign

Pros

1,250,000 +

26

Finding the Right Group

On your

homepage

27

Finding the Right Group – use Skills & Expertise

28

• Size can be important – but is not

always the best indicator of

quality.

• A healthy group has frequent

discussion topics, but remains

focused on topic.

• A lot of spam or agency vacancy

posts suggest the group is badly

maintained.

Group

recommendations in

Skills & Expertise

28

Research companiesPrepare for interviews

Company mission, products and services

Industry and competitors

Company culture and employees’ skills

News about the company and industry

Information about the role – search for members already holding the role / similar roles

Information about the person interviewing you

29

The 5 things your should do in the next 24 hours:

1. Complete and enhance your personal profile and brand

2. Add your photo – it’s harder to forget a face

3. Connect and grow your network

4. Join a relevant networking Group

5. Be an active collaborator – share, update your

status, discuss…GIVE to your network.