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…

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2 3

5.NET

DevelopersBiotech &Pharma

Creative Design Pros

4 1,250,000+ groups

Personal Branding

Sharing knowledge Finding a

new job

Networking with peers

Innovation

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Why you need a great profile…

…viewing profiles is the No.1 activity on LinkedIn.com

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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.

Forbes, Dec 2012

So you need to get the basics right…

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Firstly, you may want to deactivate your activity broadcasts before you got to work on your profile…

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

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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

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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?

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Your SkillsAdd your skills and expertise – and get endorsed

Add skills

Get endorsed

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Collect valued recommendationsManagers, clients, partners…

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Additional informationAdd relevant documentation…

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

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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

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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

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Jobs on LinkedInRecommended job matches on your Home page

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Jobs on LinkedInSearch for jobs, refine your search

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

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Share relevant jobs to your network

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 Developers

Biotech & Pharma Design

Pros

1,250,000 +

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Finding the Right GroupOn your

homepage

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Finding the Right Group – use Skills & Expertise

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• 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

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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

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.