More recruiters and companies are using social networking to identify candidates.

by Amy Hoppenrath

One of the most successful ways to find a job is through networking—and networking has expanded to include social networking. In today’s economy, networking is even more important, as finding a job is no simple task. However, there are jobs available and one of the best ways to find a job is to have the job find you.

Recruiters and companies are using sites such as LinkedIn to find “ideal candidates.” They first search for candidates who fit the requirements, then review profiles to narrow down the prospects, and finally continue the process through more traditional methods.
The most important thing a candidate can do is to have a complete and thorough LinkedIn profile. In order to be found, your profile should include the following:

Photo
In The Virtual Handshake, Scott Allen references a study regarding online profile photos. The study found that 74 percent of users reported having “some success” or “more success” with their new photo. Of those, 32 percent reported receiving greater than five times more responses.

Experience
The experience section should be fully complete and include all companies that you worked for and the years that you worked there. The best profiles are the ones that go beyond the traditional resume and are written so that a future employer can quickly see how you can complement their organization.

Good keywords help you to be found. Make sure you include important keywords that thoroughly cover your skill base. Keywords in every variation possible should not only be sprinkled throughout your profile, but also included in the specialties section. Hint: Google Adwords’ keyword tool can help you generate a list of the most important keywords. This tool will provide a listing of the most commonly searched words or phrases.

Grow Your Connections
Get connected with people in your industry and your community. The more connections you have, the more likely you will be found. Maintaining a real network is a great way to stay connected. When you make updates to your profile, your network is notified on their homepage.

Join Groups
Industry and local groups will help you build your reach and your brand.

Answer Questions
Participating in discussions and answering relevant questions showcases your expertise and skills. But be warned: only answer questions that reinforce your expertise. And, take the time to do a complete and thorough job.

Recommendations
Third-party recommendations are always good. However, make sure your LinkedIn recommendations are not the “generic, she’s a great person” kind. They need to be very specific and should show a problem, discuss how you helped to solve it and, if at all possible, include specific numbers.

Public Profile
Make sure you make your profile public. A public profile makes it very easy to tell people that you casually meet at a networking event, “Check out my profile on LinkedIn under Amy Hoppenrath.”

Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a job, take time to develop a complete and thorough LinkedIn profile and your chances of being found will increase dramatically.

Amy Hoppenrath is principal of AccelerAction, the only agency in Kansas City dedicated to fueling successful professional services firms by creating powerful branding messages, developing strategic lead generation campaigns and driving business development programs. www.AccelerAction.com