If you\u2019re a professional looking for a job in Alaska, you\u2019ll want to make sure you have a LinkedIn profile and that it\u2019s optimized for opportunity.<\/p>\n
When it comes to business networking, there is no better online resource than LinkedIn. The world\u2019s largest professional network boasts more than 347 million members worldwide, including executives from every Fortune 500 company.<\/p>\n
Not surprising, a study from Jobvite, a provider of recruiting software, finds that LinkedIn is the network where people do most of their job-seeking activity.<\/p>\n
Linking to opportunity<\/strong><\/p>\n Here\u2019s how people say they most frequently use the site in connection with a job search:<\/p>\n Take a look at those first two items again: \u201ca contact referred me for a job\u201d and \u201ca contact shared a job opportunity.\u201d Although some of these instances are in response to job seeker requests, others are unsolicited.<\/p>\n Hunting for you<\/strong><\/p>\n LinkedIn has become a primary tool for recruiters. In fact, 94 percent of recruiters are active on LinkedIn.<\/p>\n What are recruiters doing there?<\/p>\n They are looking for qualified individuals to fill job openings. The process was once known as headhunting. Today, it\u2019s called candidate sourcing \u2014 and LinkedIn is a primary source of candidates.<\/p>\n Your profile<\/strong><\/p>\n Given that LinkedIn could lead to your next job opportunity, you\u2019ll want to create a profile, if you don\u2019t already have one, and keep it updated.<\/p>\n Include a professional photo, one that will make a favorable impression on a potential employer. People sometimes forget that LinkedIn is a professional network and make poor photo choices. Others decide not to include a photo, which, contrary to belief, doesn\u2019t come across as mysterious; it looks like you have something to hide.<\/p>\n Speaking of hiding, choose your profile header carefully. Some people use their current job title; for example, Vice President of Marketing at XYZ company. Others opt to focus on areas of specialization; one marketing professional\u2019s profile reads, PR \u2013 Communications \u2013 Marketing \u2013 Branding.<\/p>\n The choice is yours. But, whatever you choose, make sure you use a title or terms that are common to your industry. You want recruiters and others to know what you do. As important, when people search, you want them to find you.<\/p>\n LinkedIn is a vast network, and career possibilities grow with your network. Polish your profile, connect with others, and explore ways to interact in the LinkedIn community.<\/p>\n At LinkedIn, if you build it, the job opportunities will come.<\/p>\n Paula Santonocito, a business journalist specializing in employment issues, holds a Workforce Career Coach Facilitator (WCCF) certificate and has been awarded the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) designation.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n