LinkedIn is one of the best business networking sites around to help anyone searching for a new job opportunity to maximise their job search. An extraordinary large number of people are already using this site – far more so than other business networking sites that I know of.It is easy to regard LinkedIn as another distraction, but it can in fact be a very sophisticated relationship management & effective job search tool. By understanding how you can use LinkedIn to differentiate yourself, you can increase your job search effectiveness exponentially. A core ingredient of any job search is to develop & enhance your personal brand.About a year ago I started to develop my own website, with some blogging & other social media initiatives to develop my own personal brand. When I started, I would get less than 20,000 hits when I searched for my name. Today, it is almost reaching the half-million mark.
Most people have a shortage of time, so be economical with your profile building & first get it right on LinkedIn. At a later stage, you can easily clone the profile & update other sites, such as Plaxo, Xing, Naymz, Ecademy, to name a few.1. Picture – most people use a picture. Unfortunately many miss the opportunity & use an obscure picture hiding behind a ski mask. Using a picture that presents you in an authentic way is the best choice. The absence of a photo raises more questions & is not the best way of building your personal brand.2. Headline – though you get 120 characters, think of a compelling headline – highlight the typical position title you are aiming for & add some flavour to make you stand out from other candidates. Think of it as a by-line that will catch the eye without being over the top, but may be a typical key word.3. Profile – the summary section provides you with an opportunity to provide a snapshot of your career. Here is an opportunity for some of your style & personality to shine through, by adding a story about your experience & skills. It is very important that this is consistent with your resume; otherwise you can expect some difficult questions during an interview.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4853783
