How to Attract IT Recruiters on LinkedIn
If there was an industry event where nine out of 10 people attending could help you find a great job, wouldn’t you be there? Well, the party is at LinkedIn – where, according to IT recruiting company JobVite, 87% of recruiters surveyed planned to search for candidates. Of course, just hanging out on LinkedIn isn’t enough – you need to make yourself noticed. Here’s how to be the life of the LinkedIn party:
Don’t be a wallflower. LinkedIn reports that complete profiles generate 40 times more opportunities for their members. A feature on LinkedIn can tell you how complete your profile is. Fill in any missing information, remembering that key words are just that – key. “Review 10 jobs in your sweet spot,” advises Suffolk University executive-in-residence Laurence Stybel. “What keywords keep coming up? The words may be technical, like ‘web2’ or ‘cloud.’ They may be organizational, like ‘team player,’ ‘innovative,’ or ‘director.’ Where appropriate, make sure keywords are woven in your LinkedIn profile.”
Hang with the right crowd. Recruiters often lurk in industry groups looking for people who demonstrate leadership and expertise. The best way to find groups relevant to your field is to check out key players in your industry and see which groups they belong to. Don’t forget to research where respected recruiters congregate, as well. If you are accepted into a group, make a selective but regular effort to contribute. The same advice applies to becoming active in the Answers section of LinkedIn. In that arena, you are being given the opportunity to show off your knowledge and skills in a real-world setting that your resume just can’t duplicate. To make the most of this opportunity and brand yourself as an expert, stick to topics you know cold, and answer in an unbiased, professional manner.
Work the room. We all know that when it comes to getting a job, it’s often who know you. So make and use those connections on LinkedIn. If you have your eye on a particular company, go to their LinkedIn page and see if you’re connected to any current or past employees. Also make sure to regularly check the “People You May Know” list, and request connections with people you have worked with or aspire to do business with – including a personal note is a must-do. Finally, make sure to use your network once you’ve built it. Acknowledge any successes that your connections share, and be sure to announce your achievements as well (just don’t spam contacts with mundane updates!). And don’t forget to ask colleagues or managers for LinkedIn references, and when warranted, return the favor. Just remember that any referrals you make reflect back on you.
Whether or not you’re actively looking for a new IT job, keeping current with LinkedIn is a good career move. For more great advice on getting yourself noticed in the IT job marketplace, link up with the professionals at Triumph Services today!
