You’ve heard the adage, ” you only have one chance to make a positive impression,” or something to that effect! No exception when it comes to doing a makeover on the #1 job search marketing tool, Linkedin.
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Has this happened to you lately?
You receive a Linkedin invitation from goodness knows who, from goodness knows where?
It happens all the time…at least with me. And my career professional colleagues have shared it in their posts, so it CAN’T be my imagination!
So HOW do you turn a generic, blasé Linkedin invitation into something that will entice the recipient to click “accept Linkedin invitation?”
Focus on the features and benefits of connecting with you. In previous posts, I have emphasized that you as a job seeker have to market yourself as a winning brand or a marketable product, especially when you are trying to attract hiring managers and recruiters, who would like nothing less than to find some qualified candidates land on their computer screen.
As a former military member or vet, “modesty goes out the window” when it comes to attracting employers (for more details, see my article on this site). Once you have convinced yourself that being modest with potential employers doesn’t work, then it’s time to dive in deeply to craft a winning Linkedin profile!
To make your Linkedin profile make the cut, you must have four elements, otherwise, you’ll be passed over:
- Credibility– You can easily achieve this because of your military career. More often than not, employers see the Canadian Forces as representative of a credible employer. So let’s incorporate that into your Linkedin profile. As an example: ” Expertise in managing 50+ government personnel….I have completed a distinguished career in the Canadian Forces…I have overseen everything from (skill set or competency) to. Seeking new career opportunities and job offers…(mention desired field)
AHA moment! Now you’ve just gained credibility in your Linkedin profile by telling potential employers or recruiters that you have worked for a major/big employer-the Canadian Forces!
2. Optimization for Linkedin searches. Here’s where the research comes into play. Once you decide your job target, embed relevant keywords into your profile. Google LOVES keywords and this will be instrumental in being “found” in your desired field. If you are unsure about industry keywords, search job postings or if applicable, search your “competitors” in the field and see what they have chosen as keywords.
And another thing that Google LOVES is Linkedin recommendations-they will show up too! Ask former supervisors and colleagues to write a short paragraph in the form of a recommendation.
3. Impact– Your Linkedin profile is not meant to repeat your conventional resume. Similar to point #1, it is meant to sell you as a viable candidate and arouse enough from companies to contact you. So the impact will depend on how you write your profile. Tell a story about yourself and make the content punchy and readable. Going one step further, add sizzle to your “digital footprint” by including a personal web page, Twitter profile or short video. Altogether, these digital elements create an impact, which should translate into more views and more Linkedin invitations.
4. Connection to your target market-If you wish to stay in a similar role that you had in the military, go to your email contacts and invite them to join LInkedin. Find out who are “key players” in your target market and build your Linkedin connections. In a previous webinar, I learned that having at least 120 Linkedin connections will start the ball rolling for you.
If you are changing careers entirely, create a customized (NOT generic) Linkedin invitation, so that you can be part of the “who’s who” in your target market.
Some tips for customizing a Linkedin invitation:
- Use the recipient’s NAME and ask a unique question about their career or life.
- Explain how you know each other or what you have in common and the reason you want to connect. Just as in Twitter, not every connection will accept your Linkedin invitation, so give them a reason why you should connect.
- Make your invitation brief. Aim for three to four sentences maximum.
- Compliment the connection you want to invite by saying that you follow their blog, Facebook post or Twitter page.
- Connect with past colleagues as Laurie Berenson suggests: “Update on your current role and/or offer to meet or speak to catch up. Suggest how your connections or network could benefit them and/or why you’d like to connect.” Brilliant advice Laurie!
Stay tuned for more Linkedin tips to wow employers!
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Clik here to view.
As a certified career professional, I offer 45-minute Linkedin MAKEOVER consultation calls to help my clients.
Work with me to do a personal Linkedin MAKEOVER and learn action steps to turn your profile into a job-attracting magnet fast!
Email me TODAY at teacher10@hotmail.com to get a Linkedin Profile Makeover.
Melissa Martin B.A., B.Ed.
Military to civilian career coach
www.military2civilianemployment.com
Twitter: @melissacmartin
Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/melissacynthiamartin
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