Many people have a love-hate relationship with LinkedIn. They know they need it but hate the idea of it. Here are some things to think about:
- Whether we like it or not, LinkedIn is the professional networking tool. Whether you are with the federal government or the private sector, recruiters and hiring managers are using LinkedIn. Even if you are not looking to attract recruiter attention, many hiring managers are looking at LinkedIn before they interview you. You want to be found easily.
- Many positions, including federal positions, are posted on LinkedIn. If you do see a federal position on LinkedIn, I encourage you to double check the posting on USAJOBS; sometimes LinkedIn postings for federal positions do not include all relevant information.
- Even if you are not looking to change jobs, you should build and maintain your network. Having a network is not just important when you are job hunting…you want to have your network in place before you need it. This requires that you keep up with colleagues and others in your field to support them, identify potential mentors, and of course potentially advance your career. Networking is not a one-way street and if you have your network in place and maintain it, you never know what may evolve.
- LinkedIn changes all the time so it is important to keep up with your network and engage in meaningful ways. It’s not enough to just have connections or offer the occasional “thumbs up” emoji; instead, provide relevant comments and content that position you as an expert in your field. That will help ensure you receive relevant content in return and that interested parties can easily find you.
- LinkedIn profiles with pictures typically score better in the algorithms than those without. Think about a picture as a virtual handshake and creating an emotional connection. Having a picture outweighs the risks of not having one.
- If you are looking for a new job, you can control the green “Open to Work” so that only legitimate recruiters can see that. This is a better approach (and reduces the scam potential) than literally letting the entire world of your situation.
- You can customize your LinkedIn URL. LinkedIn automatically provides a URL that includes your name, followed by random numbers. You can edit your LinkedIn URL to include your name followed by your expertise (or something that feels / looks more custom than random numbers. And you can add that customized LinkedIn URL to your resume to make it easier for hiring managers (and recruiters) to find you.
Whether you need help elevating your LinkedIn presence or creating a resume that gets results, we are here to help you stand out. Contact us today or check out our E-books Getting Started With LinkedIn and Everything You Need To Know For Your LinkedIn Profile.
