15 Expert Tips for Using LinkedIn in Your Job Search in 2014

By Jessica Holbrook Hernandez

It’s no wonder that LinkedIn has become such a critical tool in a successful job search—with job boards charging hundreds of dollars to post openings and hundreds of unqualified applicants flooding employers’ in-boxes, LinkedIn has exactly what HR is looking for—free or low-cost resources and a trusted network of connections right at its fingertips. So I tapped into my wonderful network of colleagues and asked them to provide their best LinkedIn job search tips to share with you. I just couldn’t tackle a topic so near and dear to my heart without some expert help. What does that mean for you? You’re going to get the best expert tips on leveraging the power of LinkedIn for your job search in 2014 — right now. Below I’m going to share with you their LinkedIn tips … and may your social networking on LinkedIn be forever changed—for the BETTER! You’re going to love this list!

BE CREATIVE
Job seekers should create a lively, intriguing visual portfolio using the newest “links or uploads” feature in your bio and work history. Employers love to scan profiles; show them something you’ve done that’s impressive, whether it’s a publication, article contribution, presentation, or fiscal predictions. Get creative! —Ritika Trikha, CareerBliss Writer

MONITOR WHAT OTHERS SEE
In the process of revamping your LinkedIn profile? Deselect “Let people know when you change your profile, make recommendations, or follow companies” under the Profile Privacy Controls section. Then you can make as many edits as needed without notifying your contacts each time that that you do. —Jennifer L. Lopez, Project Assistant: Social Media • Blogging • Marketing DiscoverCorrections.com

Check the success of your LinkedIn posts. A new section called “Who’s Viewed Your Updates,” located below the ticker that counts your profile views, tells you whether and how many times your posts and shares are read, clicked, and commented on. —Amy Adler, Five Strengths Career Transition Experts

KEYWORDS
What phrase would you search to find someone like you? Use long-tail keywords in your headline, body, and throughout your profile that uniquely describe your professional expertise. —Amy Adler, Five Strengths Career Transition Experts


Keep a keyword count. Choose 1-2 keywords most relevant to your job search goals, and make sure those keywords are incorporated within the sections of your profile that rank keywords highest: your headline, previous job titles, career summary, and work history descriptions. On LinkedIn, the people with the most instances of a particular keyword within these sections of their profiles rank highest in search results. The only way to be ranked higher than someone who has fewer occurrences of that particular keyword than you do is to have more recommendations from connections. —Jessica Hernandez, President of Great Resumes Fast

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