LinkedIn for Your Job Search

Do I need a LinkedIn profile for my job search is a question I get asked frequently. My opinion is that you do need to have a profile and that you need to use LinkedIn to benefit from creating a profile.

Occasionally people will respond that I created one but it has not done anything for me. LinkedIn is just like any tool; it only works if you use it! There are many elements to a profile that go far beyond a resume that details your work experience and education.

One important aspect is creating a job search agent(s) on Linkedin. There are many filters available to help you eliminate job postings that are not relevant. A few of the filters are commute distance, remote or hybrid workplace, date posted and many, many more to narrow your search results. You can create and save up to ten job search filters.

I conduct free webinars every month about LinkedIn and other job search topics. Check out my Upcoming Presentations blog page to find the next session that can help you in your job search. https://bruce73.wordpress.com/upcoming-presentations/

2022 Hiring Trends

It has been two years since Covid changed the workplace dynamics in massive layoffs and remote work. We went through the Great Resignation in 2021 when many people simply quit their jobs for one reason or another. Many factors attributed to this from fear of Covid to the need to provide child care.

I have experienced a demand for resume and LinkedIn reviews during the last two months that has been an all-time high. People are not only looking to find a job during their career transition, but many are looking for new opportunities after working at the same place for many years. It looks like this is the year to make that change.

A recent Top Resume article shows the best times of the year to apply. It indicates that January and February are the best months followed by March, April, and May. My advice is to update that resume and start applying earnestly to your targeted companies. Utilize one of the many resume scanning websites to ensure your resume closely matches the job description.

Read the full article here!

LinkedIn’s Career Explorer

Are you seeking to switch jobs but are not sure what role you might consider? This B² Discuss #LinkedInpodcast episode discusses the features of LinkedIn’s Career Explorer. @Bruce Bixler and @Bruce Bennett provide an introduction and practical advice for incorporating this tool into your changing job roles. Here is a link to the LinkedIn Career Explorer page:
https://linkedin.github.io/career-explorer/

#LinkedIn #careers #personaldevelopment

Click here to listen to this podcast episode

Two LinkedIn Tools

On our podcast channel, B² Discuss LinkedIn, @BRUCEBixler and I discuss #LinkedIn elements and features. Our podcasts average about 15 minutes. We recently published two podcasts about “new” features that LinkedIn started offering. You do not need a free account to utilize either of these new options.

Interview Prep under the Jobs navigation tab provides a number of potential interview questions that are answered by industry professionals or career coaches. Aside from the common questions many people face in an interview, LinkedIn offers industry specific advice from Accountant to Wealth Management categories. The answers have a framework that discusses your potential responses. If you have a premium account, sample answers and a video are available.  https://www.spreaker.com/user/10926936/interview-prep

The second new feature is Resume Builder under the MORE option on the Jobs navigation tab. If you are have updated your resume this may offer you an easy way to format an updated resume. There are options for saving and downloading the resume.
https://www.spreaker.com/user/10926936/resume-builder

Tune into our podcast channel for these episodes and many others. https://www.spreaker.com/show/b-squared-linkedin

4 Things for Your Resume in 2021

2020 is a year that most wish had never happened. It has been difficult for many people and industries. The Federal government stepped in with stimulus money and additional unemployment benefits.

A recent article resonated with me for the simple fact that there are 4 things you can’t leave off your resume after this year. It is a short article and makes great sense.

I worked remotely for the majority of my professional career which was rare at the time. Today, it’s very common. Companies are now learning that the brick and mortar buildings staffed with workers can be downsized because people can work from home. Yes, many people had to learn a new work environment so it is important to identify that skill on your resume in 2021.

Secondly, Covid affected people in different ways and people adapted. Communicating your flexibility and capability to work under fluid conditions is important. Companies need people who can respond to the new norm.

You’ve probably changed roles and companies several times through the years. Potential employers can undoubtedly recognize a large company where you worked. A midsize or smaller company may lack that recognition. It may be advantageous to include a hyperlink to the company or a short description so a hiring manager knows the type of work and industry experience you posses.

LinkedIn is the premier way for job seekers and talent acquisition recruiters to find one another. I am amazed any time people ask me if they need to have a LinkedIn profile. You only need one if you want to shorten your job search time.

You can find the whole article here and learn https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/4-things-you-cant-leave-off-your-resume-after-2020-from-a-hiring-manager-with-20-years-of-experience by Laura Berlinsky-Schine.

LinkedIn Podcast Channel

Bruce Bixler and I have teamed up to discuss the features and benefits of LinkedIn on our show B² Discuss LinkedIn. We discuss the different elements and help users make better use of their LinkedIn profile. We welcome questions from our listeners, so if there is a topic you would like us to explore on an episode, please let us know.

Click here for the B² Discuss LinkedIn show!

Being Viewed on LinkedIn But Not Contacted?

Our latest podcast we explore the reasons why a recruiter views your #LinkedIn profile, but does not follow up to contact you. Bruce Bixler and I discuss why you may not be connecting with your viewer. We offer several suggestions on how to improve your profile and make it more compelling for the viewer to connect with you.

Did you miss our first release that discusses the various LinkedIn upgrades and their respective features and benefits? If so, our show is there for your listening and we will be uploading more episodes about LinkedIn.

Click to hear B² (B Squared) discuss Why a Recruiter Is Viewing My LinkedIn Profile But Not Contacting Me.

Podcast – LinkedIn Premium Upgrade

Bruce Bixler and I have collaborated many times for teaching people the nuances of #LinkedIn. We have talked about doing podcasts for several months. Last week, we finally sat down and recorded several podcasts.

Our first release discusses the various LinkedIn upgrades and their respective features and benefits. Do you need to upgrade? Only you can answer that question and you will be making a more informed decision after listening to our podcast.

Click to hear B² (B Squared) discuss LinkedIn Premium Upgrades on Spreaker.

Pitfalls of Applying On-line

I hear from many people who have applied on-line for jobs dozens and hundreds of times without hearing back from the company. It is one of the most frustrating aspects of being in job search. Did someone even look at my resume? The odds are that no human being ever saw your resume.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are utilized by the vast majority of companies. There are dozens of companies that offer their human resource software solutions. Taleo is used by the majority of companies. It is software that scans and scores your resume once you complete the job application on the company website.

There are many pitfalls in uploading a resume to a company’s ATS. A major faux pax is usually due to the formatting of the document. Typically, an ATS does not read underlines, multiple columns, headers and footers within the document. If you have used a narrow margin on both sides of the paper, odds are the ATS is missing text outside the normal one inch margin.

Perhaps, you heard that a customized resume is needed for each job and didn’t believe it was really necessary. If that is your practice, and you are wondering why you are not getting called back, here is my advice. An ATS scores how well your resume matches the job description. If you are missing key skills on your resume that are in the job description, you will not score well enough to be considered. Several websites can do a scan comparison of your resume and a job description to see how well they match. One site is http://www.jobscan.co that compares your resume to a job description. It will empower you to fine tune your resume before applying to that job.

This article by Monica Torres offers more insight about applying on-line. Click here to read 3 Ways To Beat The Machines That Judge Your Resume When You Apply Online

LinkedIn Endorsements

I have always recommended using your key skills throughout your profile. A few year ago, #LinkedIn added the skills section. The initial reaction was not very favorable and generated a lot of skepticism. However, today it is imperative that the job seeker of today embraces this vital section. Your key skills should be strategically placed throughout your profile in your headline, summary section and work experience.

Why is it so important? Recruiters use key skills in building their #jobsearch criteria for candidates. They may select any number of skills to search for on LinkedIn. This five minute video explains how recruiters use LinkedIn to search and find the candidates they are seeking.

I am not alone in emphasizing the use of the Skills section within LinkedIn. Here Paul Cameron explains why LinkedIn Endorsements give You an Edge. More here