Episode 12 - The Missing Link(ed)In Your Career Growth

In this episode, we’ll be discussing tips and techniques for utilizing LinkedIn for your job search and continuing to build your network even after you’ve landed a job.

So since LI is a social network, a common question that users grapple with is:

To accept or not to accept (connection requests)?

I would suggest to always try to send a personal note of some sort when sending an invite to connect with someone – where you met, a topic you discusses, etc. Helps people remember you and it gives a personal touch to the invite.

Linkedin’s founder recommends only connecting with people you know IRL, making those connections more valuable & able to recommend / introduce http://www.businessinsider.com/reid-hoffman-how-to-use-linkedin-2017-4

Another school of thought is you should connect with people you don’t know, because of research that acquaintances, not just close friends, are more beneficial in networking. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140506113910-43645946-why-you-should-connect-with-people-you-don-t-know-on-linkedin/

Main sections: summaries, Activity, previous work experience, education, skills endorsements, recommendations, accomplishments, interests, volunteer experience

Pictures – super professional or nah?

Mixed opinions here. Part of it may be because some perceive LinkedIn is becoming the more like Facebook (less professional). My personal opinion (EO) is that it’s fine to show a little personality in your LinkedIn photo, after all the company is hiring a person and not a robot (for now HA!). But don’t make it a picture where people can’t see your face clearly or you’re doing something silly or less than flattering (drinking, etc.).

Writing Summaries

Emphasize your skills and passion for web/software development.

Talk about what got you interested in the first place and the path you’ve taken to get started in the field.

Skill endorsements and recommendations

It’s acceptable to request for others to endorse your skills and write you recommendations. Offer to do the same for them as well.

Let them know which skills you’d like to be endorsed for if they’re willing. Also if you have any work or characteristics you’d like them to emphasize in their recommendation, let them know that as well.

It’s part of your personal branding, so helping others craft how you’d like to be perceived isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I personally don’t think you should write one yourself and send to them to post to your page, because then it isn’t as authentic.

Also, if you want to be endorsed for certain skills over others (development skills over design skills) or if you want a balance of technical skills and soft skills, let people know that too. But make sure the skills you’re requesting to be endorsed for make sense in that the person can actually vouch for those skills.

Dave’s approach to seeking out valuable recommendations

Which sections are most important to recruiters/hiring managers

These will probably differ by industry/field

Skills section, previous work are probably the big two. If you catch their eye with those, they may read your summary.

Education, projects you’ve worked on, and accomplishments are important too. Your profile should be well-rounded and thought-out overall

The headline – inspired by celebrity twitter bios? This is often the first thing people see about you. How do you stand out in 120 characters?! (even less than twitter’s 140)

Publishing content

If you are looking for a job, you should be posting on linkedin more often than other social media R...