Archive for category linkedin
Are You Over-Sharing On LinkedIn?
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in executive recruiters, job search, linkedin, social media on February 6, 2012
LinkedIn—that all-purpose gathering place for professionals, recruiters, and employers—allows you to converse with like
-minded experts in your field, learn about industry-specific topics and events, post resume information, and send private messages to employers in hopes of securing that perfect job.
However, if you’re divulging too-personal details, or letting others have uncomfortably close insight into your job search, it can take longer to find a suitable job - or you can be blacklisted entirely by recruiters.
If you’ve started to confuse LinkedIn connections for your Facebook friends, it’s time to take a step back and consider whether you’re harming your job search.
Here are some signs that you’re wading too deep into personal territory on LinkedIn:
1 – Posting negative comments about your job search in a LinkedIn Group.
While it’s perfectly normal to be frustrated with a job search that’s taking too long, LinkedIn is not the place to blow off steam about prospective employers, HR contacts, or recruiters.
Yet, you can peruse Groups forums and find this type of activity nearly every day, with disgruntled professionals posting information about negative exchanges with employers, and the occasional rant against a particular company or hiring manager.
It may seem as if Group communities are locked down, but the reality is different: Group forums are open to any level of access, as defined by the Group leader.
In other words, nearly everyone on LinkedIn (and that means practically anyone interested in hiring you!), can read what you’ve said… and use it against you in a job search.
Therefore, you’ll benefit from limiting your Group Q&A to either lively feedback on professional concerns facing your industry (a great way to become well-known), or innocuous feedback on most other issues.
2 – Issuing Status Updates that are unrelated to your professional image.
One of the best ways to “promote” your professional standing, LinkedIn Status Updates are a great opportunity to publicize professional achievements.
However, this stream of activity is sometimes mistaken for Twitter, where notices are constantly posted that are of minimal news value to readers (such as weather updates or notes on what restaurant to frequent).
What you may not realize is that a Status Update stays on your Profile in a semi-permanent fashion – making last week’s comment on the Presidential race this week’s advertisement of your political affiliation.
Here’s how it works: Updates are shown in a headline fashion to viewers of your Profile, scrolling through in what looks like a transient manner for about a week, or until another Update has been issued.
They are then relegated to a news feed (but still shown on your Profile) – meaning that you can’t count on an Update disappearing entirely.
So, how should you use Status Updates in a job search? Instead of viewing them as the equivalent of a conversation, think of this feature as a way to make a proclamation related to your professional life.
Your Updates could include comments on a book you’ve read related to your industry, a note on a professional conference you plan to attend, or information on your latest career win (such as a promotion).
The overall idea with a Status Update is to enhance others’ perceptions of what interests you professionally… with the advantage of displaying it on your Profile for visitors to see.
3 – Misusing LinkedIn Answers – revealing confidential data or using the site for non-professional queries.
LinkedIn Answers forums are a great resource for nearly any professional Q&A. Not only can you issue questions on a specific topic, but the Advanced Answers Search function allows you to browse all of the Answers history based on keywords.
What you should know about Answers, however, is that all queries and responses are both 100% public and indexed by Google.
This means your off-the-cuff answer to a pop media quiz (or details about how you hated your last boss) can quickly come to light with a Google search on your name. Of course, an examination of your LinkedIn Profile will turn up the same information, as your Answers activity is recorded there for viewing.
Keep your Answers activity on LinkedIn as clean and professional as possible, avoiding the opportunity to initiate or participate in activity that:
- Divulges a confidential job search
- Reveals issues with your job hunt (such as fearing a reprimand from your boss)
- Brings forth job search concerns with a reference or past employer
- Shows that you’re engaged in using the site during work hours
- Discloses religious, social, or political preferences
In summary, don’t be fooled by the “social” part of LinkedIn as a social media site by letting your guard down or compromising your integrity.
Instead, leverage LinkedIn as a tool to deliver a straightforward, polished, and professional brand image – ready for close examination by hiring managers.
Who’s Viewed Your Profile on LinkedIn – And What Do They Want?
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in executive recruiters, linkedin, linkedin profile writing services, recruiters, social media on January 20, 2012
Scroll down the sidebar of your LinkedIn Home Page, and you’ll eventually notice the blurb that asks “Who’s Viewed Your Profile?”
If you click on it, you’ll see a page entitled Profile Stats, which is designed to show you other users that have looked at your information.
To get a glimpse of who is searching for you, you’ll want to leverage Profile Stats.
Start by changing LinkedIn Profile Settings (hover the mouse near your name at the top of the page to click on Settings).
Click on “Select what others see when you’ve viewed their profile” and choose Your Name and Headline (recommended) to allow others to see YOUR information when you review THEIR profiles.
Now, on to the good stuff: there are common categories of users who are surfing your Profile (right now!). Go to Profile Stats to see the types of LinkedIn users who are looking for you – and why: Read the rest of this entry »
Reconsider Saying No to LinkedIn Invitations
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in job search, linkedin, linkedin profile writer on December 15, 2011
In the midst of job hunting—but still refusing LinkedIn invites from others you don’t know? You could be hurting your job search (or even your career future) by doing so.
Here’s why: LinkedIn is built on the premise that we are each separated by just a connection or two. Nearly every invitation you accept can put you closer to someone you really want to know.
But there’s another twist as well. Outside of sending InMail (LinkedIn’s internal email), recruiters and employers aren’t able to reach out to you unless you belong to the same Group.
Only a limited number of InMails are included with every account type, which means that power users, such as recruiters, are continually trying to find ways of contacting you for free. Don’t you want to make it easy for them?
Besides, what’s worse about limiting your network is that you’ll encounter situations where YOU need THEM. If you’ve tried to run a closed network, but find that you now need an introduction to facilitate your job search, you’ll be forced to hunt through potential contacts to string together a chain of forwarding InMails (not the most efficient use of your time).
Proponents of using LinkedIn for real-world connections often argue that, unless you’re a declared Open Networker (accepting all invitations), it makes better business sense to restrain your volume of connections.
However, refusing to add someone to your LinkedIn network when you’re job searching can be downright foolish… especially if this person has a wide circle of influence themselves.
So, forget about the implications that seem to come with taking on a new connection (it isn’t “friending,” after all).
Unless you have a very good reason to ignore that new invitation, it’s possible that clicking Accept might put you closer to your career goals.
- Dedicated to Mark
Why Just Joining LinkedIn Is Not Enough
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in linkedin, linkedin profile writing services on November 28, 2011
If you’re like many job hunters today, you’ve heard the buzz about LinkedIn as a must-use job hunting tool that can help land your next gig.
Yet, you might have signed up for a Profile at the site, looked around a bit, and then wondered, “What am I missing?”
The truth is, if you’ve only just joined and are standing back at a distance to observe, what’s missing is YOU. Your personality, value in building relationships, and online identity are still not fully formed if all you’ve done is merely join LinkedIn.
So, even if you’re late to the LinkedIn party, here are some steps you can take on the way from novice user to super-connected, job-hunting expert: Read the rest of this entry »
Writing Your LinkedIn Profile Headline for Searchability & Branding
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in linkedin, linkedin profile writer, personal branding, social media on October 9, 2011
Like any other announcement, your LinkedIn Profile Headline can deliver a powerful first impression
Using LinkedIn for your job search? You might have assumed, as many others do, that your mere presence on the site is enough to make your Profile findable by employers and recruiters.
However, the key information used in some LinkedIn Profile fields can actually make a huge difference in the way employers become aware of your qualifications.
Specifically, your Headline is prime LinkedIn real estate—critical to the marketing and search optimization methods that might be used by recruiters to locate you when they search for candidates.
Here’s how it works: As a quick identifier, your Headline should be tuned to not only your job level, but your goal, enabling LinkedIn’s internal search engine to do its job more efficiently.
When you first populate your Profile, LinkedIn will ask if you’d prefer to use your current job title as the Headline. Even if you respond with “Yes,” you can (and should) take the time to update your Headline to a branded representation of your job target and value to employers—filling up as many of the 120 characters allowed as possible.
To change your Headline, click on the Profile option at the top of your Home Page, then choose Edit Profile. In the area that lists your name, select Edit to change your Headline.
Consider the following examples when tuning your Headline for greater searchability and relevance to your job goals: Read the rest of this entry »
You Sent Out Your Resume – Now What?
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in cover letters, executive job search, job search, linkedin on August 30, 2011
Rather than taking a passive role in your job search, take proactive steps to influence your success
Sending out a resume is almost an emotional action. You’ve read the job description carefully to find a match with your skills, prepared your resume and cover letter, and then hit the Send button…
And now you’re hoping that the company will see you as a good fit and call you for an interview.
However, instead of hoping, waiting, and leaving yourself to feel dejected by a lack of response, it’s time to take action!
These 3 post job-application steps will help you feel more in control of your search – with better results: Read the rest of this entry »
LinkedIn Now Prevents Connections & Endorsements From Being 100% Public
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in linkedin, linkedin profile writer, social media on August 17, 2011
LinkedIn recently made a significant change to the way Recommendations are viewed, where you cannot see the name of the endorsing party, unless you are linkeded as a 1st-degree connection to that particular individual.
Instead of “I highly recommend Bob for his leadership capabilities,” by Tom White, CFO at Any Company, you’ll now just see the recommendation itself, with no information on who wrote it, their career level, or how they even know the original user.
Given that one of LinkedIn’s strongest points has been the ability to gather and leverage public endorsements as references, this change strikes a blow to the credibility and usability of Recommendations – especially Read the rest of this entry »
Facing layoff from Cisco? Plan your job hunt strategically
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in cio resumes, Engineering resumes, it executive resume writing, leadership resumes, linkedin, social media on July 24, 2011
Cisco Systems announced its largest layoff ever in July 2011, and employees are certainly feeling the aftershocks.
With 6,500 staff being cut (up to a 14% drop in its workforce), Cisco has announced that it plans to restructure in order to maintain a competitive position.
If you’re one of those affected by this or other layoffs, what should you do? It’s no secret that professionals have bemoaned the state of the job market now for several years.
Will YOU fare better? Yes (and you can read more here about your chances of finding a job quickly), but you’ll need to map out a plan that is as sound as any project you’ve ever tackled.
Consider that most people going through the shock of a layoff tend to react quickly, aggressively responding to posted jobs without taking time to regroup or prepare a plan. This is at least one main reason behind a job search that drags on for too long.
Then, there’s your competition: even though like Google, Apple, Yahoo, Citrix, and NetApp will be waiting at Cisco’s door to lap up well-qualified talent, there’s no shortage of eager job hunters ready to outdo your search tactics.
Therefore, it pays to take these key steps in your search:
1 – Decide if you’re able to relocate.
One of the biggest decisions you’ll face in the job search is also one that can have the most impact. If you have the ability to put down roots somewhere else, you’ll become a better candidate for other technology companies outside of Cisco—and for recruiters.
2 – Map out your desired targets.
You’ll need to not only identify the best companies for your talent, but also research their needs.
What is going on inside your target companies or industries? What business challenges do they face? And most importantly, how will YOUR skills make a difference there?
When you sit down to write a cover letter directed toward these firms, you’ll be glad you went through this exercise. Spend some time online and within professional journals to extract data on what these companies need, then write directly to their pain points.
3 – Polish your resume – but not in a vacuum.
Yes, your resume needs to be as ready as possible to compete against others, but don’t forget that a large part of what gets someone hired is the reaction they get from employers.
Therefore, it makes sense to circulate your resume among former Cisco colleagues and networking contacts for feedback—ensuring that you haven’t missed anything critical about your skills or projects.
This is true even if you have it professionally written – you’ll want to verify that your resume writer understands technology.
4 – Identify networking venues (online or otherwise) and potential contacts.
Networking doesn’t always mean in-person contact, but the more personal, the better. If you already belong to a professional or trade association, start using these contacts. If you don’t, now’s the time to join one.
Getting involved at either a local or national level in these associations can help boost your visibility, as can joining Groups within LinkedIn. Here, you’ll want to join in professional discussions, but on the subject of technology or engineering topics, NOT to advertise your job search.
Within LinkedIn, you can also use the Advanced People Search function to gather names of potential contacts, either because they work at your target companies or they have some insight to offer. Don’t forget recruiters, either – online networking gives you a good chance to check them out.
5 – Maximize your LinkedIn Profile.
If you’ve ignored your LinkedIn Profile for a while, now’s the time to beef it up. Recruiters like to look carefully at your job titles, education, and critical achievements online before considering you for a potential slot.
You’ll also find (as many of my engineering and leadership clients do) that your interviewers will look you up on the site, and so you’ll want that Profile to be more than ready – with a professional or personal headshot, a powerful Summary, and solid listing of job titles and accomplishments.
Following these 5 tips will give you a strong head start on the competition you’ll encounter, both in the job market at large and from other Cisco employees.
Even with substantial job market challenges, strategic planning pays off with a faster job search – and a better position on the other end.
7 Phrases to Strike From Your LinkedIn Profile
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in executive job search, linkedin, linkedin profile writing services on July 19, 2011
An interesting practice seems to have cropped up among self-written social media profiles, where phrases that are taboo on resumes (like “self-motivated team player”) are creeping back into lists of job hunter credentials on LinkedIn.
Unfortunately, these mundane, dry, and redundant phrases can make it difficult for you to maximize the power of LinkedIn in a job search.
It’s also challenging for recruiters and employers to see past these overused terms when looking for your value proposition!
However, with a little ingenuity, you can pull the lackluster phrases out of your Profile and replace them with powerful writing that conveys your personal style and energy.
Here are some of the worst offenders lurking among LinkedIn Profiles, along with suggestions for alternative wording:
1 – Accomplished professional.
If this is really true, then show (don’t tell!) your readers about it. This phrase is likely to prompt more annoyance from employers than appreciation.
Instead, consider using a sentence or phrase that speaks specifically to your achievements, such as “Sales rep honored for closing 147% of quota during 2009 and 2010” or “IT Director heading multimillion-dollar outsourcing contracts at major banks.”
In addition, you can add accomplishment data (right in the Summary) that cuts to the heart of what you do and why you’re good at it, with sentences like “Sales manager honored for coaching 3 Top Producers” or “Operations manager promoted for increasing production line efficiency.”
2 – Results-driven.
Most companies plan on hiring someone who fits this description, and they weed out anyone who doesn’t perform to their expectations. It’s almost to your detriment to point this out in your Profile.
You might try adding information that actually PROVES your drive for results, with mention of how you’ve earned a promotion in just 6 months, or the ways in which your performance has outpaced that of your peers.
3 – Exceptional communicator.
The trouble with this phrase is that it’s not only tough to prove, but that the person using it often misspells one or more words (really).
Since your LinkedIn Profile gives you plenty of opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills, you’ll have the opportunity to convey complex concepts or perhaps distill a major project into a short description… both of which would speak louder about your communications skills than this phrase ever will.
4 – Proven success.
Well, employers would hope so. After all, why mention your success unless you have some proof to back it up?
Here’s where you’re better off noting some metrics, as in “exceeded quota for 7 out of past 8 years,” “brought company to 87% market share,” or “met 100% of project budget constraints despite limited resources.”
These achievements can help online readers understand the scope of your work and the reasons behind your career progression.
5 – Experienced.
Ahem… of COURSE you are.
Even worse, “successful experience” is so redundant that you’re wasting space and LinkedIn keyword optimization by even thinking of these phrases.
One way to replace this word is to simply specify the number of years you’ve worked in the industry.
However, be careful here: “15 years of experience in sales” doesn’t quite have the same ring as “Generated 23% average over-quota revenue throughout progressively challenging sales roles.”
6 – Responsible for.
Just like a resume, there is no reason to clutter the landscape of your Profile with a phrase that is largely assumed.
Rather than use this phrase, you can just skip to the relevant facts (“managed $500K budget,” “supervised staff of 10”) and save everyone’s time.
7 – Microsoft Word skills.
There’s no advantage to listing basic skills that nearly all candidates possess. Unless you are seeking an entry-level role requiring clerical duties, employers will be more surprised if you don’t have these skills, than if you take the time to list them.
You’re much better off researching target jobs and noting the skills (keywords) required for the position, then using these terms to show your competency.
To summarize, back up and take a long look at your LinkedIn Profile. Are you committing the same mistakes that have been appearing on resumes for years?
If so, it’s time to refresh your approach and provide specific details on the high points of your career—information that others can readily relate to (and even use to hire you) from your LinkedIn Profile.
What LinkedIn’s IPO Means for You
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in linkedin, linkedin profile writer on May 20, 2011
Now that the dust has settled a bit on LinkedIn’s successful IPO, you might have wondered what the implications are for your job search. Will the site change? What will happen to your membership?
Are more people expected to join? Will another networking hub overtake LinkedIn as the favorite of businesspeople and job seekers?
Here are some musings on what the new state of LinkedIn can mean for you:
Site changes.
Interestingly enough, LinkedIn HAS changed its functionality significantly over the past 18 months, potentially in prepartion for its IPO.
In case you didn’t notice, the new Skills sections and search functionality appeared late last year. In addition, site functions that once were available from the top menu bar started to drift around. More notably, the Settings page became more user-friendly, with the Privacy controls a bit easier to understand.
So, it IS possible that the navigation and menus will continue to shift… but keep in mind that much of the change may have already occurred.
More jobs.
No, I’m not referring to the site’s job search engine, but the company itself.
It’s expected that the company will start to boost its technology workforce, and may even open offices outside of California – meaning that a slot could open up for you.
A burgeoning membership.
Imitators and new social networking sites aside (Quora, anyone?), LinkedIn is on a tear with its growth, and most site watchers don’t expect it to slow anytime soon.
At last estimate, the site had around 100 million registered users, but this number is somewhat skewed from the volume of orphan and duplicate profiles.
As many recruiters (more than 90% of all active headhunters, according to careers industry surveys) mine the site for the ultimate candidates, LinkedIn is still a mecca for those wanting to find (companies, jobs, services, etc.) and be found.
The takeaway? Keep that LinkedIn Profile polished for searchability and branding, and your radar up when it comes to maximizing the site.
As business activity continues to grow, and the site continues to attract attention, more features and more active users can only mean that you’re in the right place as a job hunter.
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