CAREER PURSUIT 2021

11 EXPERT ADVICE - EMPLOYMENT OPTIMISING LINKEDIN irst off, what is LinkedIn? Well, in their own words, “LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network online. Here, you can find the ideal job or internship, connect with others, strengthen professional relationships, and learn the skills you need to succeed in your career. You can access LinkedIn from a desktop, LinkedIn mobile app, mobile web experience, or the LinkedIn Lite Android mobile app. A complete LinkedIn profile can help you connect with opportunities by showcasing your unique professional story through experience, skills, and education. You can also use LinkedIn to organize offline events, join groups, write articles, post photos and videos, and more.” In a nutshell, it’s a social media platform for you to network professionally. Now, that might all sound a little hectic and alien, but by the end of this article, you’ll be able to set up your profile with an authoritative and professional layout and be ready to start engaging with your ideal clients or employers. WHY LINKEDIN? LinkedIn is a very broad and diverse social media platform. It is easy to get in contact with people (even if you don't know them yet) and find information on a topic you are interested in. Even if you don't want to post information yourself, you can find inspiration in the posts of others. If you are looking for a new job role, you can follow companies you are interested in and get in contact with themby finding out who already works there. SETTING UP YOUR PROFILE It’s critical to get LinkedIn right. First impressions count when meeting a prospective employer, and you should treat this as your first impression. Here are my top tips for getting your profile to the top of the pile on the first go! 1. Your profile picture should be a high-quality headshot. Many smartphones now have an excellent camera, so there’s no need to rush to your local photographer for a shoot! Unless you already have a photo hanging around, I’d suggest using an area with great natural lighting, a neutral background, and avoid being too casual. The last thing your prospective new boss wants to see is you in the local beer garden. It’s important to note, this doesn’t have to be like your standard passport photo − make sure to smile! 2. Much like Facebook, LinkedIn allows you to have a banner picture on your profile. This should be a clear image but In a competitive jobmarket, getting yourself in front of your desired employers, standing out from the rest, and securing an interview may all seema bit daunting, but in today’s digital age, it’s easier than ever. In this short article, I’m going to break down my top tips, what to do and what to avoid, and how to create effective engagement on LinkedIn, to get you in front of the right people and into your dream career. F By Marc Clifford