5 Keys to Capitalize on Linkedin
LinkedIN, This network has become an indispensable tool for professionals listed on the market, and also for the Headhunters. That social networks are part of the strategy of almost every business márketig is nothing new. But Linkedin , created in 2002 especially for professionals, is a tool that is less talked about, even though its features make it convenient to know what it is.
Developed for users to set the world on 2.0 an action to raise awareness of skills, experience and skills, Linkedin and reached 80 million users worldwide and can generate an extensive network of contacts, encouraging networking.
To Ximena Rodriguez, manager of customer headhunting firm Chilean SommerGroup , Linkedin is a real showcase for professionals, where they can place their careers to the market.
In addition, it lists as a great opportunity for headhunters. “You can locate someone with the ideal profile for a particular job,” he says. Also indicates that professionals can receive offers but they are not looking, even abroad, “he says. But LinkedIn is also a good platform to exchange information and discuss issues of particular interest. “People can obtain knowledge and contact with people you normally could not, in particular to develop and provide knowledge,” said Miguel Fernandez, a telecommunications engineer and professor of Spanish Mondragon.
To make the most of Linkedin possible, we ask advice on these and other experts who gave us their “tips”:
1. Update your profile and think the picture
“The first recommendation is to constantly update your information, those interested in your profile will have more information about what you do and how to work. It analyzes the content of your resume online, “said Juan Lozano, CEO of the Mexican agency Online Direct Advertising . For Internet marketing consultant Carlos Cabrera , of Peru, the state-defined in the header of the profile-is extremely important. “Try to be specific but showing your skills in a couple of lines. That will be the first impression to visitors of your profile, so be smart and think about it what you put in that little space, “he warns. This network was created for professionals has 80 million users worldwide.
Miguel Fernandez stressed that the picture is essential, “A profile without a photo is not interested in anybody,” he said. Of course, find LinkedIn is not the same as Twitter or Facebook. “Keep in mind that it is a professional profile, obviously not going to upload a photo that makes you look funny or sexy (even if you are), you must look professional,” adds Cabrera.
2. Do not neglect the extract, which is where the essence
“In many profiles there extract, despite its importance, it is a few paragraphs summarizing what you’re good. That can make the difference between hire you or your company or not do, “says Fernandez.
With the implementation of Google Presentation , you can record a short video which you can then add to a profile. “It has an effect,” says Fernandez.
3. Develop good and true contacts
“If you have contacts, you will have visibility on Linkedin is very limited,” said Fernandez. To add to people who do not know, you always have to be submitted with justification. There must always be some link, even the simple interest in the work of the other person.
Customize the direction of public profile and add it to your own e-mail signature is a good trick for adding contacts. “So you’re more likely to have more contacts when exchanging emails with people,” says Fernandez.
“This is a professional network, not friends, no hobbies,” says Juan Carlos Barahona, professor of management in technology innovation and INCAE Business School , adding that one should never accept strangers.
“Look for quality rather than quantity of contacts, as the value of this network is that the people you can find is through people you know who can give professional references,” says Baker.
Explains the academic evidence shows that in executive positions, the recommendations of the “friends of friends” are those that facilitate recruitment.
Carlos Cabrera noted that the contacts should be cultured, ie, the relations must have a value on their own to stay in time, “otherwise you would become a collector of connections,” he says.
“The idea is to look at LinkedIn as your conference room versus your relationships on Facebook or Twitter, which are cafeteria conversations,” says Cabrera.
4. Participate in forums
Should be active, to arouse the curiosity of people on LinkedIn, they should not forget that if you enter almost always for something specific. Thus, you can search for groups by topic, with discussions and news sector, where it is possible to obtain new knowledge and demonstrate competence.
“The other peculiarity of the groups is that you can access the profiles of all members, whether or not your own contacts,” said Fernandez, which in practice is access to resume databases on specialized topics and use of leave own, as if they want the thing.
5. Recommend
Although according to Ximena Rodriguez “headhunting companies will always require recommendations from the previous employer,” is good to have a lot of recommendations from the network. “Ask your friends, colleagues or coworkers that you recommend, and have higher qualifications in Linkedin” says Lozano. And attention, which is also good to recommend, since the act confers authority and legitimacy