Now is the Time to Get Active on LinkedIn

According to a Jobvite 2014 national survey, 94 percent of recruiters are active on LinkedIn, but only 36 percent of job seekers are actively involved. This does not surprise me. Throughout the years, I have found that many of my clients are on LinkedIn, but most are not active in it and most do not realize the many benefits that LinkedIn offers.

LinkedIn is more than just a platform where a person can find jobs; it's a place where recruiters can find you. One important tip I offer to individuals during my LinkedIn training sessions, is to have a strong headline (the words which appear under your name). Think about what words a recruiter would use to search for someone in your profession. For example, one of my clients is currently completing her Masters in Public Health (MHP) with a focus in Health Promotion. In her situation, "Health Promotion Professional" would be a good headline. Then, after she gets her master's degree, she could change it to "MPH - Health Promotion Professional." 

It's also important to join (and be active in) groups on LinkedIn. In the example above, my suggestion to this individual would be to join health promotion/public health groups, job seeking groups, networking groups in her community, and also her alumni association group. Jobs are often times posted in these groups, but this individual could also participate in discussions (if she has something credible to add), and doing this would increase her visibility on LinkedIn. There are several other strategies for using groups, but in addition to groups, there are many more ways that LinkedIn can benefit you professionally and boost your career success.

As mentioned in the first paragraph, with such a small number of job seekers active in LinkedIn, now is the time to get active on LinkedIn! With 94 percent of recruiters using this social media platform, you have a huge advantage over the competition. And, even if you're not a job seeker, by increasing your activity on LinkedIn and building your connections, if you suddenly find yourself without a job, you will have an immediate network to draw upon.