Monday, April 8, 2013

Mary Eileen Williams: Want To Attract Recruiters? Power-Up Your LinkedIn Profile!

Any job seeker today knows that social networking sites like LinkedIn are invaluable resources for making important contacts. And, in addition to LinkedIn's effectiveness as a networking tool, many recruiters are now forgoing traditional methods of sourcing candidates and turning directly to this major site as their preferred method for identifying potential employees. So if you want recruiters to choose you as a candidate for their open positions, you'll need for your online profile to be as powerful as possible.

Although securing recommendations and endorsements are important, the keywords you select to include in your profile are critical. You'll want recruiters to locate you quickly and easily. Even more -- you'll want them to like what they see. Therefore think like a recruiter, highlight the skills they're looking to find, and present yourself as the attractive, winning candidate they'll want to contact.

Here are 3 key strategies to consider as you build your online profile:

Present a Unified Brand: It is essential that you make certain your LinkedIn profile is current, complete and that it substantiates how you're describing yourself on your resume and in your cover letters. Although I suggest customizing resumes to the specifics of any posted position for which you apply (with the right formatting, this can be a relatively easy process), the information should basically be the same as that on your online profile. The way you present yourself forms the foundation of your job search -- so make certain that it's strong, current to the needs of today's job market, and distinguishes you from the competition.

Become Highly Searchable: The strategic use of keywords is critical. You already know that recruiters (both independent and internal company recruiters) will turn to LinkedIn as a primary tool for sourcing candidates. The way they'll find you is by the words you've chosen to include in your profile. Your aim, therefore, is to become as highly searchable as possible. The following are three ways you can accomplish this goal.

  • An easy way to determine which keywords get the largest number of hits is by using the Google Adwords Keyword Tool. This free service ranks keywords by the number of global monthly searches they elicit. A good rule of thumb is to focus mainly on skill words with numbers in the midrange. If you use too many words with high-ranking search numbers, you may get lost in the crowd; if your profile is filled with low-ranking words, your chances of being found will diminish.
  • Another way to identify keywords with the potential to get you noticed by recruiters is to study the postings for your line of work. You'll want to identify and list skills that are frequently requested in the ads and load up your LinkedIn profile with these valuable industry buzzwords. It goes without saying that you'll need to actually have the skills they're requesting in the ads, but employers are telling you what they want -- so give it to them!
  • A third way to make certain that you're maximizing your LinkedIn profile is to take a look at how others in your line of work are marketing themselves. Use the search feature to source people in your same occupation and check out the words they're using to highlight their skill sets. Chances are you'll find some valuable tips that will improve your own profile.

Once you've determined several keywords for your area of specialty and identified those relating to your key skills and selling points, you'll want to embed these attention-grabbing words in both the Summary and the Experience sections of your LinkedIn profile. Remember to think like a recruiter! Which skills will they be looking to find? Be generous and make certain that each of these sections is richly populated with the words, phrases, and job titles recruiters will want to see.

Your All-Important Photo: Another important feature of your LinkedIn profile is the photo you choose to provide. Dress as you would for a job interview; you'll want to display your image as a professional. You'll also want to exude your warmth and personality through your photo. A smile is generally best. Your goal is to strike a balance between professionalism and approachability. Employers are looking for skilled problem solvers but they also want to hire someone who's pleasant to be with.

As you create your profile, you'll want to factor-in each of these elements. And, as with other aspects of your job search, you'll want to consider your profile to be a work in progress. If you're not getting results, improve it. An up-to-date profile that highlights your skills and experience to best advantage is critical. Recruiters are looking to find you and are using LinkedIn and other social networking sites as both a way to source and to vet their candidates. So use this valuable platform and turn your profile into a winner!

Mary Eileen Williams is a Nationally Board Certified Career Counselor with a Master's Degree in Career Development and twenty years' experience assisting midlife jobseekers to achieve satisfying careers. Her book, Land the Job You Love: 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 50, is a step-by-step guide that shows you how you can turn your age into an advantage and brand yourself for success. Updated in February 2013, it's packed with even more critical information aimed at providing mature applicants with the tools they need to gain the edge over the competition and successfully navigate the modern job market. Visit her website at Feisty Side of Fifty.com and celebrate your sassy side!

Earlier on Huff/Post50:

  • Retail...With Benefits

    Several larger corporations such as Starbucks, Target and Land's End are able to offer even their part-time employees benefits such as health coverage and paid vacation time (head over to ABC for a <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Business/companies-offering-health-care-benefits-perks-part-time/story?id=14805107#2" target="_hplink">full list</a>).

  • The Internet

    For those with an entrepreneurial spirit and computer know-how, the Internet offers opportunities to bring in some cash from home -- at any hour of the day or night. Take Jose and Jill Ferrer, a retired couple <a href="http://www.aarp.org/work/working-after-retirement/info-03-2011/more-great-part-time-jobs-for-retirees.1.html" target="_hplink">profiled by AARP</a> for supplementing a freewheeling retirement with their website, Your RV Lifestyle. By highlighting certain products related to RV living, the pair earns $700 a month, AARP reports. "And we know the potential is there to grow our website business further," Jill Ferrer says. Other ideas: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/" target="_hplink">Etsy.com</a> allows the crafty to turn a profit from their hobbies.

  • Health Care

    Personal care and home health aid topped the Bureau of Labor Statistics' list of the fastest growing occupations in America. The time commitment may vary (between 10 and 30 hours per week, according to <a href="http://www.smartmoney.com/retirement/planning/the-new-best-jobs-for-retirees-1295567405980/" target="_hplink">SmartMoney</a>), but the median annual wage is around $20,000 for both occupations, according to the BLS.

  • Bartender

    Bartending is not just for twentysomethings -- and for social butterflies, this part-time gig offers opportunity to rake in extra cash, not to mention tips, with a minimal initial financial investment (a 40-hour certification course at the <a href="http://www.newyorkbartendingschool.com/courses.html" target="_hplink">New York City Bartending School costs a little less than $600</a>, for example).

  • Government Positions

    Age discrimination is less of a problem in government agencies, <a href="http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/01/30/10-Best-Part-Time-Jobs-for-Retirees.aspx#page1" target="_hplink">reports The Fiscal Times</a>. In fact, agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Transportation Security Administration actively seek older workers. Visit <a href="http://www.usajobs.gov/" target="_hplink">USAJobs.gov</a> to search for available positions.

  • Makeup Artist

    If you've got an artistic flair or an interest in theater, makeup artists can make up to $40 an hour, and only work 20 hours a week on average, <a href="http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2012/06/08/7-part-time-jobs-that-pay-about-22-an-hour/#photo-2" target="_hplink">AOL Jobs reports</a>. <em>Disclaimer: qualifications may include formal training in cosmetology or theater, and a license is required to practice in several states.</em>

  • Flight Attendant

    What better way to scratch that globetrotting itch? If you're up for an on-the-go lifestyle, flight attendants also earn up <a href="http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2012/06/08/7-part-time-jobs-that-pay-about-22-an-hour/#photo-6" target="_hplink">to $40 an hour</a>, making it a very well-paid part-time job.

  • Nonprofit Work

    The nonprofit sector can offer more than volunteer opportunities for retirees, and may be particularly appealing to those who "thought they wanted to change the world ... [but] put that on the back burner for 20 or 30 years while they climbed the corporate ladder," as Tamara Erickson, author of "Retire Retirement: Career Strategies for the Boomer Generation," <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120767069301298203.html" target="_hplink">told <em>The Wall Street Journal</em></a>. To get started, <a href="http://www.idealist.org/" target="_hplink">Idealist.org</a> offers listings for available paid positions in addition to volunteer opportunities: applicants with years of experience under their belts are sure to be met with open arms. Even cooler, <a href="http://www.encore.org/learn/fellowships" target="_hplink">Encore.org</a> offers paid Encore Fellowships to "match skilled, experienced professionals at the end of their midlife careers with social-purpose organizations" -- while earning a small stipend for part- or full-time work, midlifers can get their foot in the door to a fulfilling retirement job.

  • Usher Or Tour Guide

    The pay may not be great, but if you're an arts lover, a history buff or a sports enthusiast, the perks certainly are!

  • Go Back To School

    <em>"I studied hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy 3 years ago and now I have my own business, couldn't be happier" -- Huff/Post50 reader Lee Adley </em> It's certainly a challenge, but as our amazing readers -- and the<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/29/going-back-to-college-teresa-pitts_n_1626068.html?utm_hp_ref=fifty&ir=Fifty" target="_hplink"> many men and women featured on our page</a> -- can attest, going back to school and pursuing something totally different can be well worth the investment of time, money and energy.

?

?

?

Follow Mary Eileen Williams on Twitter: www.twitter.com/FeistySideFifty

"; var coords = [-5, -72]; // display fb-bubble FloatingPrompt.embed(this, html, undefined, 'top', {fp_intersects:1, timeout_remove:2000,ignore_arrow: true, width:236, add_xy:coords, class_name: 'clear-overlay'}); });

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eileen-williams/linkedin-want-to-attract-recruiters_b_2993003.html

Final Four 2013 jay leno brittney griner louisville basketball Brian Banks amber alert LucasArts

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.