Using LinkedIn and Recruiters to your advantage

The abundance of candidates all competing for the same positions makes it essential to market yourself and promote your personal brand. I’m not talking about taking out an ad in the local paper and listing the top five reasons why someone should hire you. I’m talking about using the tools readily available to you to aid in your job search. Two of those tools are LinkedIn and recruiters.

Use LinkedIn as a way to take control of your job search and build your personal brand. LinkedIn is a great way to network with people. But connecting with them one time isn’t enough. You want a colleague, business associate or friend to think of you first if a new career opportunity in their network becomes available. Whether you are actively searching for a new job or a passive candidate open to career advancement, consider using LinkedIn to keep your name fresh in the minds of those in your network. You want to be viewed as a credible resource and expert in your industry. Some ideas for sharing on LinkedIn: post an article relating to your industry and share your thoughts; share the details of a training class that you recently attended with a summary about what you learned; summarize and give your thoughts on an industry book you’ve read. Also, it is important to update your profile regularly to reflect your current projects, technologies used, etc. This will help recruiters and potential employers find your profile when searching on LinkedIn. By keeping your profile updated, your network will naturally think of you when new opportunities become available.

Aligning yourself with the right staffing company and the right recruiter can make or break your job search. The reputation of a staffing firm can influence how a hiring manager perceives your experience, your brand and overall qualification for the available opportunity. Recruiters should be your biggest advocates, constantly looking for new opportunities that you might otherwise not know about or have access to – so make sure that you choose the right recruiter and firm. Don’t be afraid to interview your recruiter/staffing company: ask who their clients are; what their guiding principles are; and confirm that they will wait for your permission prior to submitting you for available positions. Once you find a good recruiter, make sure you keep them updated on any changes in your job search or your career goals. The more information you share with your recruiter, the better equipped they are to find your next career move.

You never know how or where your next position will come from, so be ready! Keep your LinkedIn profile updated and align yourself with a reputable recruiter.

Check out this article for more helpful tips on the power of LinkedIn. And check out this article for more information on building your personal brand.

To learn more about our recruiters and open positions, visit our website.

-Liz Dalton, UDig Technical Recruiter