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- 3 Shocking LinkedIn Secrets⚡
3 Shocking LinkedIn Secrets⚡
What Recruiters Don’t Want YOU to Know!
Hey Fearless Friend!
Today on Stay Fearless or Die Trying:
LinkedIn secrets you had no idea about - everything you need to know about landing a job in this market.
I’m speaking at Harvard on October 6th!
Fearless perks of the week!
Who hates applying for jobs?
The market is saturated with openings, yet it seems like nobody is getting hired. Older people say that it’s because young people “just don’t want to work!” But it’s not as easy as walking into a Fortune 500 company and demanding an interview.
Most people use LinkedIn to get jobs, but we all know it isn’t as simple as uploading your resume. According to a Forbes study, people who have personal brands at 72% more likely to get their dream job and stand out among their competition. You know what that means? You should get a media kit or a one-sheet made (try this one!) or a list of brands to start pitching. You have no idea what could come from one cold email. I landed a Disney show from a cold email, ya know?
When I connected with a LinkedIn VP at Tech Week, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to continue the convo on Dare To Be Fearless (which used to be The New Unfiltered!) In this weeks episode of the show, Elinor Honingstein shares her top tips to navigating LinkedIn like a pro.
1. Do your research.
Before you start your profile, you need to figure out what job you want. Don’t jump in and start word-vomiting your every experience on LinkedIn. Recruiters will pass you by because they’re looking for a specific type of person and if you don’t have quality experience yet, work to get that on your profile before you try and land your dream job.
How do you uncover what type of person a recruiter is looking to hire? Research!
Figure out what position you’re pining for, then do a deep dive into the profiles of people who have the job you want. What keywords do they use? How are they dressed in their profile picture? What does their work experience look like? These questions are a way to model your profile off of success.
2. Take time to present like a pro
A good headshot and presentable profile is ESSENTIAL in being appealing to recruiters. A cluttered profile and unprofessional picture will get you ZERO leads in your job journey.
A good headshot is:
A clean, high-quality photo. You’re wearing clothing that matches the level of professionalism required for the job you’re looking for. You’re looking straight at the camera, looking welcoming, which creates an invitation to work with you. All this takes is investing a little bit of time: good lighting, a good hair day, and asking a friend to take the photo for you instead of taking a selfie. You could prop your phone or camera up on a couple of books and set a timer. It takes time and trial and error, but it is worth it.
Ladies, opt for a blazer: I have a $50 Zara blazer I’ve had for years. It’s black, fits me well, and was cheap.
But I have no experience Alexa. How do I come across as useful?
One word: ASPIRING.
Nobody expects someone right out of high school or college to have relevant work experience. That is where the word aspiring comes in. You’re an aspiring teacher, an aspiring marketer, an aspiring programmer. Make it clear that even though you aren’t one YET, your goals are on point with what they’re looking for.
Then, give details of relevant experience that isn’t job experience related to your field. You may not have worked in the field yet, but you have studied in the field, done projects about the field, and maybe even published research papers discussing issues in the field. Use these specific pieces of information to pad your resume and show that you are on track with the business community you’re looking to join.
3. CONNECT, CONNECT, CONNECT
This is the whole point of LinkedIn. It isn’t just a place to upload your resume and wait for offers to roll in. You need to put effort into connecting with members of your business community and gain insight from them on what they’re looking for. You all know I’m the cold-calling queen! Reach out to people in your business community who are doing it RIGHT. Ask them questions.
How did they get where they are? Do they have any advice? Ask them to view your profile and give feedback on why they would/wouldn’t hire you. You can’t fix what you don’t know!
Here are some sample messages you can use to get the conversation started. The worst they can do is say no, or leave you on read!
Example 1: Requesting Feedback from a Senior Professional
Hi [Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I admire your extensive experience and accomplishments in [industry/field]. I'm currently looking to refine my LinkedIn profile to better reflect my skills and aspirations in [specific area].
Would you be open to providing some feedback on my profile? Your insights would be invaluable as I aim to make a more impactful impression in our field.
Thank you in advance for your time and assistance!
Best regards, [Your Name]
Example 2: Reaching Out to a Peer for Mutual Feedback
Hi [Name],
I hope you're doing well. I’ve been following your work and really appreciate the content you share about [specific topic]. I'm in the process of optimizing my LinkedIn profile to align better with my career goals in [industry/field].
Would you mind taking a look at my profile and sharing any suggestions for improvement? I'd be happy to return the favor and provide feedback on your profile as well.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Best, [Your Name]
Example 3: Engaging with a LinkedIn Influencer in Your Field
Hi [Name],
I hope you’re having a great day. Your posts and articles on LinkedIn have been incredibly inspiring and informative, especially your insights on [specific topic].
I’m currently updating my LinkedIn profile to better reflect my career journey and goals in [industry/field]. Given your expertise and influence in our field, I would greatly appreciate any feedback or suggestions you could offer.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration!
Warm regards, [Your Name]
Example 4: Seeking Career Path Insights and Advice
Hi [Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I have been following your impressive career journey at [Company/Organization] and am particularly inspired by your current role as [Their Position].
I am currently working in [Your Field/Industry] and aspire to reach a similar position. Would you be open to sharing some insights on how you achieved your role and any advice you might have for someone looking to follow a similar path?
Your guidance would be incredibly valuable to me as I plan my next steps.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Example 5: Requesting Advice on Professional Growth and Achieving a Specific Role
Hi [Name],
I hope you're doing well. Your career progression at [Company/Organization] to the role of [Their Position] has been truly inspiring to me. I am particularly interested in understanding the key steps and decisions that led you to this position.
As someone striving to advance in [Your Field/Industry], I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights you could share about your journey and the process of achieving your current role.
Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to learning from your experience.
Best wishes,
[Your Name]
Meet Elinor below!
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Weekly Quote
"Building a strong personal brand on LinkedIn is crucial. Your profile should tell a compelling story about who you are, what you’ve done, and what you want to do next."
Stay Fearless or Die Trying,
Alexa
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