Leveraging Professional LinkedIn Groups to Find Jobs
Of all the social media sites available these days, LinkedIn is the top one for professional networking. When used correctly, it can be your best resource for finding a new job and knowing how to leverage the groups will help yield even more solid results. These groups are categorized by job fields, locations, employment type and even hobbies. Here are some ways to make the most of your time in these groups:
Keep it professional.
This should go without saying but if you spend any time on LinkedIn, you’ll see plenty of political, religious and family posts. This is not the place for these kinds of interactions. Those comments, rants and opinions do not have bearing in the workplace so keep them off your profile. Future employers will search for you and if they see an unprofessional attitude, you can bet they won’t contact you for an interview. Remember you never know how people in groups are connected to others.
Be a giver.
Offer insight to others and they are more likely to do the same for you. If you are constantly asking for things, others in the group will start to tire of seeing your posts. There is nothing wrong with asking for network help but be willing to reciprocate. These groups are designed to connect people and you need to do your part.
Connect with group members.
Don’t just rely on the group to network and assume they will read your profile. Make as many 1st connections as possible from the group. A personalized email to them when you ask to connect will go a long way. People will remember a well-written email and profile.
Update your profile.
Within the groups, it’s easy to forget other people are on LinkedIn, looking for potential employees like you. It is critical to make new connections and keep your profile up to date with current qualifications. Your profile should be public if you are looking for a new position and your group should know exactly what you do and your experience.
Ask for introductions.
Due to the high number of invites HR departments can receive, it is a great idea to ask for an intro from those in your group. They don’t need to even do anything except allow you to use their name in an email. Consider crafting an email they could send on your behalf; this will make the process easier and your network might be more willing to help if it is less work for them.
Use LinkedIn for your professional needs and steer clear of treating it like a regular social media site. Read the articles that are pertinent to your field, follow companies you admire and learn what you can from what is posted. With locations in Portland, Clackamas, Beaverton, Everett, and Vancouver, our skilled recruiters are ready to help you take the next step in your career. If you’re excited for a new challenge, call NW Staffing today.
