How to use LinkedIn effectively
Following our previous blog about how to make the most of your LinkedIn in terms of your profile- let’s now talk about how to use LinkedIn effectively to network with people in your area and industry.
Profile recap
Like we said in our last blog, it is really important to consider all the different aspects of your profile so you can capitalise on what you are putting out there about yourself. You need to make sure your profile is up to date, include a professional photo of yourself and be sure to complete all sections including your skills. You can ask your connections and colleagues to endorse you in these and gather recommendations from them as well as giving them yourself.
Open to work banner
You can let recruiters and other people in your network know that you are looking for opportunities using the LinkedIn #opentowork banner on your profile. This is a really quick way to indicate that you are open to opportunities and if you specify the types of jobs and locations you are looking for, LinkedIn can help your profile show up in search results for recruiters in those areas.
Making connections
Reach out to people you know in your professional life or have known in the past. Feel free to reach out to old contacts with a message to reacquaint yourself. Connect with professionals within your sector that you would like to know, it can help to interact with their content- react to birthdays or congratulate on recent achievement. You can check out the ‘People you may know’ tab on LinkedIn which will show you people that maybe went to the same school as you, work in similar roles or industries or live locally to you.
Interacting with content
It is really important to make yourself seen by interacting with other peoples content on LinkedIn, whether it be congratulation comments on personal or professional achievements, or voicing your opinion on a particular discussion someone has initiated.
It should go without saying but it is still a professional platform so try not to gossip or drag other’s opinions. Keep the conversation respectful and appropriate.
Posting content
As well as interacting with others, you should make an effort to post and share parts of your life also. This can include your personal experiences and opinions regarding industry or workplace issues but it is important to note that LinkedIn isn’t just for your work life. You make yourself more relatable and personable by posting about your personal life- whether it be new additions to your family, office pets (big hit) or life news. Let the people in your professional life get to know you a little better, it can help further your connection with them.
Premium
The LinkedIn Premium feature gives you the ability to reach a little further in connections. The premium feature allows you to see everyone who has looked you up in the last 90 days and gives you the opportunity to reach out and follow up. This also includes some helpful analytics to see where and how people are finding you on LinkedIn. You also get access to a number of InMail credits every month which allows you to contact people who do not provide their contact details on their profile. We have been trying it out over here at Red Door recently and its definitely something that’s worth a free trial!