Posts tagged LinkedIn
The Key to Using LinkedIn in Your Job Search
Jan 14th
Do you use LinkedIn in your job search? If not, you should start incorporating it into your job search routine. LinkedIn provides access to when jobs open and when they are filled, employees, and a slew of other information. Still not convinced? According to Payscale, 94.5% of recruiters have successfully hired candidates through LinkedIn.
In order to effectively use LinkedIn, there are several guidelines you should follow.
- Makes your profile is completed. Use a professional photo and be sure to add any social media links such as blogs, portfolios, etc.
- Connect with people. Connect with past colleagues, classmates, professors. Grow and expand your network and remember this also grows your 2nd degree connections which can prove to be equally as important.
- Update your status with recent information that is of use to your network. It puts you back on your radar.
- Ask for recommendations. From the survey previously mentioned, employers ranked referrals as the best source for quality of job candidates.
- Don’t ignore LinkedIn endorsements, but don’t misuse them. Don’t just give endorsements and expect them back in return. Endorsements are a great way for quick recommendation, without having to write anything up.
- Use LinkedIn groups to build networks, engage and learn professional development.
Don’t be passive once you’re profile is set up and you’ve connected with everyone you know first-hand. Look to see who has viewed your profile, and add them to your network. If they are recruiters, see if they have jobs you might be qualified for. Don’t be shy. Invite people out for coffee to find out what they do and find out if they can give you any advice. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, try asking a connection for an introduction.
Are you having difficulty completing your resume? You can use LinkedIn to see where people with your background are working and what their responsibilities are. Some general LinkedIn don’ts to keep in mind: don’t lie and don’t send people an invitation with LinkedIn’s default text. For more mistakes to avoid, click here.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on January 14, 2013 at 4:09 pm, and is filed under Job Search, Social Media. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Social Media Recommendations for Job Seekers
Dec 3rd
Job searches can become overwhelming very quickly. Social media is one of the many new buzz words surrounding job searches. The question on many seekers minds though is “how do I incorporate social media into my job search?”
First things first, review and edit your social media profiles to make sure it is appropriate for hiring managers to view. According to a study from Reppler, 90% of recruiters and hiring managers will visit a candidate’s profile on a social network in order to screen the candidate, and often (69%), recruiters will reject candidates based on what they’ve found. Do not neglect any of your profiles. If you have ones you do not use anymore do not assume employers won’t view them. Delete them and focus on your current profiles. If you Google your name and find it you can bet an employer will, too.
Once you’ve combed through your social media profiles make sure they send the message you want to convey and be consistent across all platforms. Whether it is to make connections in your industry or you’re looking for a new position, you want your profile (especially your LinkedIn headline) to easily express this message. Think about joining a discussion board on Twitter or LinkedIn or perhaps a blog. Keep this in mind: once you commit you should remain consistent, so decide a head of time how often you want to contribute.
Moving along these lines, consider an electronic resume where you add links to your LinkedIn account or personal blog or portfolio. It’s a nice way to tie in all your hard work on your social media profiles and makes it easier on the hiring managers. According to a recent survey from Career Directors International (CDI), 62% of hiring authorities would click on an external link if you provided one on your resume.
Click here to read how to effectively use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as a tool for job searches.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on December 3, 2012 at 12:49 pm, and is filed under Job Search, Social Media. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Unemployment Tips
Nov 5th
According to a report released 4 days before the presidential election, hiring was surprisingly strong in October, while the unemployment rate ticked higher, but behind the increase was some good news. Economists surveyed by CNNMoney had expected employers to add 125,000 positions, so the boost in hiring was mostly seen as a positive surprise. This is hopeful news, but doesn’t neglect the fact that thousands are still facing unemployment. After a job loss there is no guarantee how long you will be out of a job. Below are tips on how to survive beyond that first week of employment.
In the days following job loss be sure to update your LinkedIn profile. You don’t necessarily have to put your end dates just yet, but adjust your header to indicate you are open to new employment. This is also the time to ask your colleagues and bosses for recommendations. At a study at UCLA and State University of New York-Stony Brook researchers found that, all things being equal, unemployed job applicants are viewed as less competent, warm and hireable than employed folks — whether they were fired, laid off or quit voluntarily. This doesn’t mean lie about your employment. During an interview be honest and avoid catching yourself in a lie. Employers will appreciate your honesty.
Don’t be fooled, as time goes on looking for a work is a full time job. You shouldn’t spend all this time on job boards and networking though. You could use this time to explore other options. Perhaps you have a hobby that you can turn into freelance or part time work or explore what other talents you might possess. The goal here isn’t to replace your income from your former job, but to hone a new skill, bring in a cash flow that wouldn’t otherwise be there and learn acceptable and independence. This is a great way to prevent fear and obsession over your job search. Remember from my last blog post, “Overcome Your Biggest Fear as a Jobseeker”, that fear sometimes results in self-sabotage.
Careerealism created a list of what to do:
- Identify a hobby you want to become more of an expert in.
- Look for ways you can gain skills that would let you monetize the hobby.
- Read up on small business and take steps to launch your hobby career.
- Share with friends, family, colleagues that you are doing this as a way to expand your skill sets in something you love.
For more advice on how to utilize this time, click here.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on November 5, 2012 at 10:46 am, and is filed under Job Search. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
The 411 on LinkedIn
Oct 8th
I have one word for you: LinkedIn. There are so many articles out there from stating the right way to approach someone to what profile picture to post. But how do you cut through all the clutter to receive the information you need? The purpose of this post is to provide a breakdown of LinkedIn facts.
- Making connections
You should never send the general staple message provided by LinkedIn when you want to connect to someone you don’t know very well or at all. Where is the incentive in that for the recipient to accept? On the other hand, you don’t want to write a novel. Write a clear and concise message stating upfront what you are asking and remember to build a relationship. Show initiative and do some research on the person you are reaching out to.
- Professional headline
Your professional headline is the first thing a recruiter sees so make it count! Use the “|” to divide your text and create visual breaks. You’ll be surprised at how much easier it is to read.
- Selecting the right skills
Select skill sets that match the jobs you are applying to, find the exact same keywords in the “Skills & Expertise” section and select them. It’s important to choose the words that are the same because recruiters use these keywords to find you on LinkedIn. By matching up the two, you increase your chances of getting found! Here’s a tip – look for a handful of job descriptions to see what keywords are used the most.
- Settings
You may not want everyone to know every time you add a new skill or change your headline for a change. Click here to prevent this in the future.
To find out if all this work pays off, check your homepage to see if your search appearances and profile views have increased. A further indicator that your changes are working is if the people viewing your profile are in your target industry. The best indicator is if people start reaching out to you on and off LinkedIn. Once this happens opportunities begin coming your way and soon enough that long awaited job offer!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on October 8, 2012 at 12:55 pm, and is filed under Job Search, Networking, Social Media. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Social Media for Job Seekers
Sep 17th
It is no surprise that there is a high demand for hiring individuals with social media skills. The growth of social media isn’t only for job seekers. A recent survey by Jobvite reported that 92% of recruiters use social media to find talent. This survey further goes on to say that 2/3 of companies now recruit through Facebook and more than half (54%) use Twitter to find new talent, while LinkedIn is remains the top social media site, used by 93%.
So when you ask yourself: “Does it really help my job hunt to join LinkedIn, create a personal website or set up a blog?” The answer is absolutely YES!
First things first, you should search your own name to see what pops up. It is important to note that recruiters may not only look at social media sites, but also any external links with information about you. When you engage in social media, the information provided should support your image and reinforce the information in your resume.
When it comes to social networking and job search, creativity thrives. If you’re seeking a job in social media, public relations, marketing or a related, check out these resumes for inspiration on how to create a modern resume and stand out from the crowd. The living resume is also something to consider. A great example of this is using Pinterest as a resume. For more information, click here.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on September 17, 2012 at 11:03 am, and is filed under Job Search, Social Media. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
The BEST App for Networkers – cardmunch
Jan 4th
We can guarantee that one of your resolutions is to get organized. Maybe you want to unsubscribe from all “shop” emails, alphabetize your DVD and CD collection, clean up your iTunes library, or just update your address book.
If you are a networking addict looking desperately for a new way to store and organize all the business cards you’ve collected over the years, you have to check out this new application from LinkedIn.
LinkedIn has made it so unbelievably easy to organize your busy collection of business cards by taking a quick snap shot of the cards with your iPhone!
This new application, cardmunch, takes pictures of business cards, stores the contact information in your phone, and cross references LinkedIn to see if the contact has an active profile.
For the time being, only iPhone users can utilize the app. For something that would be used universally, we’re sure it will be available on other mobile devices in no time.
Happy networking!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on January 4, 2012 at 8:14 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, SINC - Source, Interact, Network, Connect, Sites For Seekers. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Monday Mentionings – E-mail Manners Matter
Nov 14th
LinkedIn News, one of our favorite sources of hot topics in “Careers and Recruiting Today,” referenced an insightful post from Business Insider.
This post addresses the very important E-mail Etiquette one must possess when networking through cyberspace.
Some great points made in this article include:
- Don’t forget to attach! How many times have you sent an email and forgot to attach a document. And what’s even worse is you wrote “Attached please find…” but there is nothing attached. Attach before you write.
- Abbreviations are great when chatting with friends and even some co-workers. However, when you are emailing leave out the LOL’s and TTYL’s. It’s not professional.
- We can’t tell you how many times we have received emails from candidates with email addresses that we hope they’ve outgrew since college. Update you email address with a first and last name alias so you will be easily recognized.
For other tips on how to practice extraordinary E-mail Etiquette, click here.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on November 14, 2011 at 7:51 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, SINC - Source, Interact, Network, Connect. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Walk, Don’t Run, To Your Next Opportunity
Nov 9th
LinkedIn makes it easy to send a quick message to a Human Resources professional, claiming that you are “friends” and stating “I’d like to add you to my professional network.”
After you hit send you obsessively check your inbox to see if you have been accepted and wonder why no one has gotten back to you because you’re such a great candidate!
One of the many possible reasons you did not receive a response could be because you and the HR professional are not actually friends and you didn’t even introduce yourself!
There are ways around this “networking” approach. Other options may take longer, while you actually spend time on an introduction letter, but the time spent makes it worth it.
- Check to see if you are connected through one of your contacts on LinkedIn. If yes, request an introduction.
- If you have a LinkedIn premium account send an “inmail” with a cover letter or job inquiry.
- You can also send a hard copy (yes they still exist) of your cover letter and resume to the HR contact on LinkedIn. Make sure you include your creative personal card!
There is a chance, for you idealists, that sending an “add to network” may spark a connection and possible job opportunity. Waiting around for that to happen is time that can be better spent INVESTING in the relationships you are creating. Take it slow, walk don’t run, on your way to your next opportunity.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on November 9, 2011 at 9:42 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, SINC - Source, Interact, Network, Connect, Social Media. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
How Social Are You?
Aug 30th
You social butterfly you! You tweet, you update your Facebook status religiously, you’re active on Google +, you DIGG and PIN and don’t feel at all overwhelmed by all the cyber social craze.
When applying for a job you might think that listing links to social media profiles and handles will increase your chances at obtaining an interview or job.
We would advise thinking twice about listing your “social” information on your resume. As we’ve stated in the past – recruiters and hiring managers will research to find you on all social media platforms to dig a little deeper.
Aside from keeping your social media profiles “tasteful” and professional you should also consider only listing your social information if it pertains to the position and/or industry you’re applying to.
If you’re actively looking for a job and just realized that you need to modify your profile, here are ways to start updating.
Facbook (click to LIKE us)
- Post pictures that relate to the role
- Link to articles of interest with your opinions
- Like the companies page and all competitors
Twitter (click to FOLLOW us)
- Follow the company your applying to
- Retweet and interact in discussions with the company
- Tweet relatable updates occasionally, be consistent
LinkedIn (click to CONNECT with us)
- Include details under each job title
- Make sure dates are accurate
- Recommendations speak very highly of you. Ask your colleagues to write you a recommendation
If you have any questions regarding your social media profile please comment!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on August 30, 2011 at 7:20 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, Human Resource, SINC - Source, Interact, Network, Connect, Social Media. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Follow Our Leads
Jul 28th
In the spirit of social media and the many benefits it’s had in helping Pyramid Consulting Group recruit – the success of our connections has recently inspired this post.
Within minutes of updating our status…Interviewing! CSR Temp – Luxury Fashion Brand – 3 days a week – 15/hr – NY
…Jamie responded.
Before we could write back to Jamie on Facebook, one of our recruiters was already on the phone with her scheduling her to come in for an interview.
Within hours, Jamie was interviewing, face to face, with one of our Associate Recruiters who later submitted Jaime for the CSR opportunity with one of our Luxury Fashion clients.
This is just one of the many social media success stories that have contributed to our placements.
Click the buttons below to follow us:
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on July 28, 2011 at 7:44 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, Human Resource, SINC - Source, Interact, Network, Connect, Social Media. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
