1 week into LinkedIn
After signing up for LinkedIn and using it for a week, I understand why professionals are signing up and using it increasingly. The tool provides one additional avenue for which potential employers and employees are able to meet and interact. I highlighted in this post some of the elements and settings that I found to be useful.
Firstly, I admittedly, would not recommend using this tool in isolation because the strength of its tool is a function of one's network. Also, at present, there are many other sources of job listings that LinkedIn alone cannot match.
Having said that, I found this tool useful because instead of just active searching (you send out resumes to companies with specific job listings), it also provides the ability for passive publicity. By filling up an accurate profile of yourself, HR practitioners or recruiters that are looking for employees, are able to find you as they shortlist profiles based on the skills they are looking for. It is important that your "Job Seeking Status" under privacy settings are set to 'Yes'.
While there are many other options for where to look for job listings, the tool also boasts of a sizable database of job listings. These can be found in the 'Job' tab on the page ribbon. These are tailored by analysing your educational background and prior work experiences.
Even if you already have a job, I find that it is still useful to maintain this network for two reasons. One, it could be used if you are looking for a new challenge or if there better opportunities. Two, there may come a time when you require a specific service in your job. Going back to your network, you may be able to find someone who offers that service. With an established relationship, there may be benefits such as preferred rates.
Overall, the tool is a low maintenance one with many benefits. Thus, I recommend all to sign up and use it.
Josh, out.
Firstly, I admittedly, would not recommend using this tool in isolation because the strength of its tool is a function of one's network. Also, at present, there are many other sources of job listings that LinkedIn alone cannot match.
Having said that, I found this tool useful because instead of just active searching (you send out resumes to companies with specific job listings), it also provides the ability for passive publicity. By filling up an accurate profile of yourself, HR practitioners or recruiters that are looking for employees, are able to find you as they shortlist profiles based on the skills they are looking for. It is important that your "Job Seeking Status" under privacy settings are set to 'Yes'.
While there are many other options for where to look for job listings, the tool also boasts of a sizable database of job listings. These can be found in the 'Job' tab on the page ribbon. These are tailored by analysing your educational background and prior work experiences.
Even if you already have a job, I find that it is still useful to maintain this network for two reasons. One, it could be used if you are looking for a new challenge or if there better opportunities. Two, there may come a time when you require a specific service in your job. Going back to your network, you may be able to find someone who offers that service. With an established relationship, there may be benefits such as preferred rates.
Overall, the tool is a low maintenance one with many benefits. Thus, I recommend all to sign up and use it.
Josh, out.
I have been on LinkedIn for a few years now and have also liked the aspect of "passive job hunting" the site provides. That being said, I've only been contacted about a few jobs when I was a teacher and I didn't want any of them!
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