Leveraging LinkedIn’s One Billion Members for Career Advancement

Looking for your next position or considering a career change? 

With over one billion members globally, LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network and a great way to connect with potential employers and find new opportunities. 

It has become an invaluable tool for job seekers. 

But simply having a profile isn't enough to get you noticed. You need to strategically optimize your LinkedIn presence to stand out from other applicants. 

Follow these 7 steps to leverage LinkedIn during your job search.

Optimize Your Profile With Your Audience in Mind:

What keywords, skills, and achievements will get your target audiences’ attention? 

Look at job postings and profiles for individuals already in the positions you are interested in. Absorb what the listings focus on and how individuals in these roles position themselves. Use this to inform your profile optimization efforts. 

The top of your profile is the first thing a recruiter, hiring manager, client, or future interviewer will see. Prioritize this. Create a compelling headline, keep your contact information up-to-date, and ensure your profile picture and background image are professional and in line with your personal brand. 

Write a summary that is easy to read and highlights what makes you unique or stand out from others.  

Detail your work experience, focusing on achievements and skills rather than just job duties. 

Avoid buzzwords or words that lack meaning without additional context - such as “innovative,” “highly accomplished” or “successful.” Instead, explain how you’ve been innovative or successful in a role (i.e. show vs tell). 

Complete your profile setup and verify your identity. LinkedIn’s algorithm currently rewards verified and completed profiles by increasing your visibility in search results. 

Follow New Terra Digital on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips on enhancing your profile. 

Build Your Network Strategically:

Growing your connections increases visibility and access to insider opportunities. 

Connect with past and present colleagues, industry peers, and leaders. 

Don’t just limit your connections to people you know. Connect with hiring managers or employees at your target companies. Reach out to professionals you admire with a personalized message. 

Be mindful of LinkedIn connection limitations - do not add more than 100 connections a week and pay attention to how many people are *not* accepting your requests. If too many people reject your request or say they do not know you, LinkedIn may temporarily restrict your account. Note that LinkedIn users are currently limited to 30,000 connections. 

LinkedIn will prompt you to “follow” vs “connect” with those you do not know personally. 

However, in order for these individuals to see you and your content, you want to connect with them. Following is a one sided relationship and while it may be rewarding for you to learn more about them, following does not expand your network. 

Engage with Your Network:

Regularly post relevant content, share your thoughts on industry trends, and engage with posts from your network. 

Engage with your network often but especially before and after you share a post. This will positively impact your post reach and engagement. 

Here are some expertise and industry neutral thought starters to consider for your next posts. 

Utilize LinkedIn Learning:

LinkedIn Learning offers courses to enhance your skills. 

Investing in your professional development is essential for career growth. 

You can also take skills assessments and earn certifications to highlight your skills on your profile. 

Explore Job Opportunities:

Use LinkedIn’s job search feature to find opportunities that match your skills and interests. 

Create job alerts for notifications about job openings.

In your LinkedIn Jobs preferences, turn on Open to Work and select Recruiters Only (this keeps your job search private vs showing Open to Work publicly on your profile). This setting also allows you to show recruiters the job titles, location types, locations, start date, and employment types you are interested in pursuing. 

I recommend using the “Recruiters Only” option vs publicly showing that you’re unemployed and “Open to Work” due to potential bias against those not currently working. 

Join Relevant Groups:

Participate in LinkedIn groups related to your industry. 

This is a great way to stay informed about industry news and connect with like-minded professionals or leaders in your industry. 

Also, don’t forget about joining alumni groups. 

Include a Current Role in Your Experience, Even if You Are Unemployed: 

When recruiters utilize LinkedIn's search function, your current job position is a crucial factor in determining the results you appear in. If you find yourself without a current job, it's important to include the specific positions you are seeking (e.g., VP of Operations) on your profile. However, in the space typically reserved for the company name, be sure to insert a statement that clarifies you are actively seeking new opportunities, preventing any confusion about your employment status, such as using a phrase like "Actively Seeking New Opportunity" or something similar.

Conclusion:

LinkedIn is a powerful platform for professionals looking to advance their careers. By optimizing your profile, building your network, engaging with content, and utilizing LinkedIn's resources, you can open doors to new opportunities and grow professionally. 

Remember, like most things, consistency is key – the more active and engaged you are on LinkedIn, the greater your chances of career advancement.

Good luck with your search!

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