Using LinkedIn to Get a Job Without Going Crazy

Your social media comfort level relates to how much information and activity you feel comfortable with sharing on publicly-available websites such as LinkedIn.

It IS possible to be effective on LinkedIn and not share everything with the universe all the time.

Are you a closed or an open networker? Take this quick self-assessment to find out.

Wondering the fundamental differences between a paid and a free LinkedIn account? And more importantly: is it worth it? Let’s explore the options to help you make the best decision for your situation.

Did you know that your default privacy settings are to share everything with the universe all the time? Check out the critical privacy controls to learn how to control your data and visibility on LinkedIn.

The communication settings have a lot of flexibility, especially when you drill down into the different options. This impacts:

• How others can contact you
• How frequently you get emails from LinkedIn
• What types of contacts can send you invitations.

Don't commit the LinkedIn Cardinal Sin of using an exact replica of your resume as your LinkedIn profile.

Your picture is worth a thousand words - or on LinkedIn, possibly a thousand views. Learn how to select and upload your profile for maximum impact.

Learn the best practices for the initial matter on your profile, including your name, headline, and background pictures.

Did you know that you have a public LinkedIn profile that is picked up by search engines like Google? Learn how to control how much gets shared outside of LinkedIn itself.

Plus: Learn how to create a custom URL that not only makes it easy to list your link on your resume, it makes you look like a savvy LinkedIn user.

Learn how to write a dynamic Summary in 2,500 characters or less.

The way you write about your experience is very different than your resume. Learn these strategies to attract more recruiters and convey your top results.

Recommendations can be a real game-changer for job seekers. Learn how to start gathering yours.

On the other hand, do Skills and Endorsements really matter? Well, yes and no. Find out how to make keyword-optimized Skills sections that will attract more Endorsements related to the job you actually want.

Bonus materials are any elements that enhance your strength as a candidate. This can be:

• Volunteer work or causes you support

• Languages

• Organizations

• Honors and awards

• Patents, publications, and project

One of the great things about LinkedIn is its flexibility to showcase all your talents.

Previously, some candidates needed a separate, dedicated online portfolio to show off their great works. Today, LinkedIn can do the same thing. Even if you aren’t in an industry or a job that usually showcases their work – like an administrative assistant or an accountant – there are still ways to enhance your profile and make you shine.

Learn how to review and analyze your Dashboard to understand your impact and effectiveness on LinkedIn.

Adding content such as samples, presentations, or even your resume gives the LinkedIn community more insight into who you are and what you offer.

• Uploaded samples of work

• Videos

• Articles and links

• Uploaded documents or presentations

Finding people and being found is the heart of LinkedIn. After all, if all you do is sit on your profile and wonder why nobody is connecting with you, you are missing the point.

Let’s take a look at how the search algorithms actually work before we get into the nuts and bolts of searching.

Learn how to use the filters and boolean search terms to find the right people.

Company pages are a treasure trove for finding the your target hiring managers.

Groups are the vital lifeblood of LinkedIn. It’s where you connect with others, build your reputation, gain professional development, and even find hidden jobs.

With just a few simple actions, you can start creating a solid reputation that lasts a long, long time.

LinkedIn is great for connecting with people, both old acquaintances and others you may not know yet. However, it’s also the part that drives people crazy the most as well as generating lots of cardinal sin mistakes.

Learn how to manage your incoming and outgoing invitations.

One quick way to grow your LinkedIn network is to import your email contacts. However, if you don't do this the right way, you will spam everyone you know.

Let’s face it: sometimes, you need to remove someone from your network. Fortunately, It’s very easy to do so. If necessary, you can even block or report them to LinkedIn if they keep misbehaving.

Feeling intimidated about trying to stay on top of all the ongoings of everyone in your network? Fortunately, LinkedIn Notifications make it easy to show that you care.

Should you send a message, an InMail, or a connection invitation? It depends on how your target wants to communicate.

It does not make sense to keep sending messages and invitations to someone who never logs into LinkedIn. Look for these tell-tale signs to figure out if your target is active on LinkedIn or not.

Learn how to make the most of each type of communication option.

FINALLY! Let’s dive into LinkedIn’s best feature – actual job postings.

You only get one chance to apply for a job on LinkedIn. So make sure you do it the right way.

Hooray! HR has your application. Learn the additional steps you can take to ensure you are the top candidate – even if HR cuts you.

Don’t forget that there are opportunities beyond the paid job ads on LinkedIn.