Communications have changed since the arrival of the Internet. Innovative options, like social networks, have replaced face-to-face contact with messages enhanced by images and videos. This interactive exchange of information has weighed on some enterprises and their recruitment process. As a result, the number of companies looking for future employees through LinkedIn is increasing as well as the number of inexpert candidates harming their reputation online. Nowadays we must adapt to this new type of networking to increase our chances of success during job hunting.
A highway between employers and candidates
With more than 240 million users across the world, social network social network LinkedIn links people with similar professional profiles together. Anybody can create for free a profile that shows their professional career and detailed information on their accomplishments and skills.
There are many different types of interactions between subscribers. , there are groups that bring interesting discussions on recent trends or specific topics. Then there are recommendations from colleagues to complement the online resume. Finally, there are comments on shared content feeding the digital ecosystem. All this activity is silently followed by enterprises and their recruiters, constantly looking for that one-in-a-million employee standing out in the social network’s activity.
The accessibility and quality of information brought by LinkedIn to the recruiters offer a versatile and direct communication tool to the enterprises and their future employees.
What your online reputation needs
A convenient way to understand the definition of online reputation is to use Google to search for your name. All the results obtained will determine your digital positioning. With those search results, do you think the enterprise of your dreams will hire you?
LinkedIn helps their subscribers to fill the information the enterprises need to choose their employees. Pay attention to the keywords you choose to describe your tasks and job titles you’ve had. The use of a professional profile picture is recommended. Take some time to ask for recommendations from former colleagues or employers. Ask to connect with your colleagues. Participate in discussion forums and publish interesting contents related to your area of expertise. Show your professional side, but also your human side.
As long as you fill all the information asked by LinkedIn and as soon as you start having activity on that social network, your profile will show amongst the first Google search results, you will gain more visibility with the employers and you will double your chances of obtaining a job interview.
What to do with other social networks?
With the growth and diversification of social networks, it is common for certain people to have many accounts on different social networks. These profiles are often forgotten and become inactive. In most cases, they stay there with information that won’t add any value to the professional image. If you have a tendency to create profiles on many social networks make sure you properly configure the confidentiality settings or close the accounts you decided not to use anymore.
Overall, the penetration of the Internet in the world brings more direct and creative recruitment processes to benefits the enterprises but could be a disadvantage to some candidates. LinkedIn is a fundamental tool to improve online reputation and succeed in job hunting. However, it is the information you share and your online activity that will bring you closer to the employers. You must not forget that the Internet can show your best or your worst side. It’s for you to decide!