Use LinkedIn to network and find a job

Use LinkedIn to network and find a job Gone are the days of deciding that an online presence is â€Å"just not for you† when it comes to the job hunt. If you’re actively look for a job, it’s hard to be taken seriously if you don’t have a professional footprint- or if you have a weak one. You have to have a LinkedIn profile- it’s a no brainer at this point. Recruiters and hiring managers use the site to look for potential job candidates, and everyone in almost every industry uses it for networking. And while it’s bad form not to have  a LinkedIn account, it’s almost as bad to have a profile that says nothing about why you’re a rockstar.Here are a few tips for how to create a LinkedIn presence that shows you in your best light and attracts the right people.1. Customize your URL.Make your URL distinctive so people can more easily access your profile. An ideal URL will look something like this: linkedin.com/in/yourfullname. Don’t force people to type in a bunch of incomprehensible numbers and letters. Simply modify your â€Å"public profile URL† in the settings section to make this change.2. Make a sharp first impression.Create a basic profile that is visually appealing, clear, concise, and welcoming. Upload a photo- the most professional one you have. Write yourself a compelling (but concise) headline to help recruiters and visitors to your page get what you’re about without having to read too much- think of it as a mini elevator pitch.3. Expand upon your application documents.Use your LinkedIn page to detail everything that doesn’t fit in your resume and cover letter. In the description space beneath each job title you list, detail your responsibilities and positive results. Upload links to your portfolio, or other documents and videos that showcase your best work. Add a little something extra to really make every section sing.4. Get eyes on your page.Once your profile and URL are where you need them to be, start con necting. Send requests and invitations to your existing professional and personal contacts- your friends, classmates, former co-workers, current co-workers, etc.- plus to any other people in your industry you know or want to know. Any time you have a positive networking interaction with someone, shoot them an invite on LinkedIn (and personalize the message†¦ don’t waste an opportunity with the standard â€Å"Hi, Name, I’d like to connect with you on LinkedIn.†) If you get invites from people you don’t know, check out their profiles. Can they be potentially helpful to you and your career? Are they interesting in their own right?5. Snoop around.Start stalking the companies you would love to join. What can you learn by digging around on those company feeds? Do you have any existing contacts that have connections to these companies or industries? Can you score yourself an introduction somewhere?6. Maintain your profile.Don’t just make a profile on ce and forget to do anything new. Stay active. Remind your contacts why they thought you were worth connecting with in the first place. Share articles and links that are relevant to your industry. Keep your profile updated with every professional change. Engage with other people’s content on a regular basis- particularly people you might be trying to impress.7. Use keywords to attract hiring managers.If it’s clear you speak the language of your chosen industry, you will come across as informed and professional. Using key terms in your headline and profile make it more likely that hiring managers will stumble upon you as a candidate, even if they aren’t specifically looking for you.

6 Career Risks You Should Definitely Take if You Want to be Successful

6 Career Risks You Should Definitely Take if You Want to be Successful You’ve probably heard stories about people who have found career success by taking crazy leaps of faith. These days, playing it totally safe isn’t necessarily the way to reach the goals you hope to attain. While you certainly shouldn’t be reckless and take wild risks that could end your career (or damage it), there are some risks that are consistently worth taking across the board. But how can you tell the difference between a risk that’s silly and a risk that will pay off? Here are a few examples of risks worth taking, whenever the opportunity knocks.1. Ask for more.Are you growing enough in your current position? Are you being challenged? Are you making what you’re worth? Do you have the training or certification you need to flourish in your job? If the answer to any of these is no, then do your homework, figure out what you would need to succeed, and then propose a plan to your boss about how you can get to where you want to be. Even if you donâ €™t get everything you want, you’ll at least show your boss that you mean business- and that you know your own value. Start networking above your pay grade, and explore opportunities that would require you to stretch.2. Don’t think of salary as the ultimate goal.Keep your work-life balance squarely in your head. Anytime you think you aren’t being compensated enough, think of any non-monetary perks or benefits you receive. Also consider the culture of your company, and any life perks it affords you. If you’re sublimely happy where you are socially, professionally, and personally- and you’re getting enough time to flourish outside your job as well as in- then more money might actually hurt  your life rather than help you to continue at a pace and style you enjoy.3. Do what it takes to learn stuff.Never ever pass up an opportunity to learn something new. Whenever you feel stuck, think about whether you could pick up another skill, certification, or even a degree. It’s never ever a bad idea to gain more knowledge, because along with it comes confidence, expertise, and credentials you can use to enhance your career!4. Take a big move in the direction of your passion.If you’re stagnating at work and you’ve thought of every possible way to make it better, but just can’t, then try something new. Strike out in a different direction. Maybe you can cut back on your hours and add on a part-time job doing something else to dip your toe in new waters. Or you can think about how to start your own side business and go it alone. Only bold moves can get you out of real ruts. Don’t be afraid to make them and move away from the cushy trap of â€Å"what you know.†5. Learn to say â€Å"no.†In this cutthroat economy where companies are downsizing and merging left and right, make sure you aren’t too afraid to say â€Å"no† when you’re getting dumped on. If you’re bein g asked to handle more work than you can do effectively, then it’s really okay to say â€Å"no.† You’re not being lazy; you’re making sure to take care of your professional and mental health and get your work done well.6. Follow your bliss.If you don’t have a passion for what you’re doing, then the bottom line is that you can and should pursue every opportunity that comes up to get you moving in the direction of your bliss. Even baby steps in the direction of happiness are better than no steps at all.