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How to use LinkedIn to land your dream job – reviewing your profile

Written by: Claire B.
Published on: 17 Jul 2014

LinkedIn on Tablet

Image ©iStockphoto.com/Prykhodov

By Claire B.

Learning how to use LinkedIn effectively is an important part of any modern day job search. The analogy goes that if Facebook is a student party and Twitter an office shindig, then LinkedIn is a high profile networking event.

Since its launch back in 2002 LinkedIn has proven itself to be the social network for professionals. It's used both by those actively seeking a new role and professionals looking to discuss key industry issues (and who may "passively" find a new job opportunity along the way).

The problem is that most people don't know how to use LinkedIn effectively enough to land their perfect job. The most common issue is that job seekers set up a profile by adding their picture and filling in the obligatory education and employment details, which is great – but then they sit back and assume that this is enough to attract recruiters and subsequent job opportunities.

How to use LinkedIn – it all starts with the profile

The fact is your LinkedIn profile needs to really shine in order to stand out from every other job seeker on the site. Your profile alone can increase your chances of being seen by headhunters if it's well written and the right keywords are used.

If you're a professional writer and knowledgeable about what recruiters are looking for then you can write your own profile – but of course not everybody is, which is why a professional LinkedIn profile writing service is needed. It's not just all about the CV anymore and LinkedIn plays a huge part in that. Here's what you need to know if you're going it alone when writing your LinkedIn profile.

A good LinkedIn profile should:

  • include a captivating pitch to grab the recruiter's attention
  • be well-written and in the first person
  • use search engine optimised keywords naturally to make it easy for recruiters to find you
  • be free of all spelling and grammatical errors
  • have a call to action so that recruiters are compelled to contact you

Your LinkedIn profile essentially needs to be a unique sales brochure of your accomplishments to date, and lots of job seekers struggle to find the right balance between stating their skills and expressing their individual personality.

It's true that knowing how to use LinkedIn in terms of contributing to relevant group discussions and conversations is definitely key to getting noticed on this social network.

But it all begins with the profile.

The CV Site reviews CVs for free and can write your professional LinkedIn profile for a one-off fee or as part of a larger service. See http://www.thecvsite.co.uk/linkedin for more details.

If you're a UK job seeker that needs a professional LinkedIn profile or help with other aspects of your job search contact Claire Brown and her team over at http://www.thecvsite.co.uk/contact-us

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