Social media is an ever-evolving tool used to network and market yourself. Professional networking site, LinkedIn is primarily used to connect with people in your industry, search for jobs, provide value to your followers, and is an ideal place to find work. Today, we want to discuss how to use the LinkedIn “Open to Work” banner, and how to properly utilize this feature.
How does it work?
Turning on the “Open to Work” banner on your LinkedIn profile is straight forward. To complete this, here are the steps to follow:
- Click the ”Me” icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
- Click ”View profile”.
- Click the ”Open to” button.
- Click ”Finding a new job.”
- Input the requested information in the pop-up window that appears. Once completed, an #OpenToWork photo frame will be added to your profile photo.
You will have the option to choose whether you want to advertise to your entire LinkedIn community or to recruiters only.
According to LinkedIn, 94% of recruiters search LinkedIn for job candidates.
Getting the most out of the banner
While this is a great feature as an addition to your job search journey, it will take much more work to find a job than turning on this feature on LinkedIn! You want to continue to utilize LinkedIn to connect genuinely with people, reach out to individuals in your industry, and continue to market yourself. Simply turning on the banner doesn’t mean your phone will instantly begin to ring, or your inbox flooded with emails. You still need to put in time and effort to find your dream job.
When posting on LinkedIn that you are looking for work, it is important to be as specific as possible. This is not the time or place to post a cookie cutter, “I am available for hire!” Use this opportunity to further market yourself and highlight your value. State the industry you work for, remind people of your skills and expertise, include what you are looking for in a new position, and what your deal breakers are. If you have concrete examples of your success, be sure to include them!
Your LinkedIn profile should be current and showcase your brand. Remember, when you are searching for a job, marketing yourself is your main priority. Use a current photo that is professional and eye catching, clearly state your experience, and be sure to have recommendations and endorsements available should a potential hire decide to visit your profile. And, of course, make sure your contact information such as email and phone number are correctly listed, and readily accessible.
Using LinkedIn during your job search is a great tool! If you have questions about your own LinkedIn profile, give us a call.