Descriptions:
“If you’re not on LinkedIn, you don’t exist.” – Kevin Donlin, 2011
Sounds harsh, but in the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers and recruiters around the world, it’s true.
Not convinced? Look at what LinkedIn did for these job seekers:
- Ken got a job in 28 days using LinkedIn (after 6 months and 1 offers)
- Melissa got a job in 21 days (after 3 months, 46 applications and 1 offers)
- Jennifer got a job in just 2 days.
There are 4 big reasons why you need to be on LinkedIn daily:
1. It’s where the recruiters are. 97% of recruiters use LinkedIn daily to find candidates. Most go there before they even post a job online.
2. It’s where the decision makers are. 74% of B2B decision makers use LinkedIn to help make purchasing decisions. Facebook is the most popular social network on the planet—except with CEOs. Within the 50 largest global companies not one CEO is active on Facebook. (Marketing Insider Group)
3. It’s where the hidden jobs are. Less than 20% of jobs get posted online, which explains why only 12% of people get hired by applying for jobs online (JobVite). The rest? The lion share of them get hired through networking. LinkedIn is one of the easiest ways to find decision makers, as well as friends and new connections who will lead you to the jobs and the decision makers.
4. Referrals still rule! If you’re not on LinkedIn, you will get put in the “maybe later” pile … and you do not want to go into the maybe later pile! Even if a recruiter or hiring manager finds you another way, almost all of them will go out to LinkedIn to learn more about you. If they don’t find you, you know what will happen: “maybe later.” Ugh!
- 55% Boost: Hiring process is 55% faster when you go in by referral (HR Technologist)
- From 12 -40% Boost: Chance of getting the offer increases from 12% applying through job boards (SilkRoad Technology) to 40% by referral (JobVite).
- 92% Boost: Get referred in at the Director level of above and you have a 92% chance of getting the job offer (iCIMS)
Still not convinced? Here are 6 more advantages to using LinkedIn:
1. COMPANY RESEARCH: You can research the companies you’re most interested in working for, follow them and find people who work there. If you follow their company page, you’ll be among the first to hear about new positions and company updates. You will start to learn at-a-glance information about the company, which can help you decide if you want to work there … and if so, prep you for the interview. Some companies share projects, new hires, promotions, and company statistics on their company page.
2. RESEARCH INTERVIEWERS, FUTURE BOSS & TEAMMATES: LinkedIn helps you prep for networking conversations and interviews. You can learn about mutual connections, career history, accomplishments, affiliations and even find common ground (same college, same former employers, etc.)
3. INSIDE SCOOP on a company: You can use advanced search to find people you can talk to about the company culture, hiring process and the specific people you are trying to meet … or about to interview with.
4. STAND OUT from your competition. There are several ways to stand out on LinkedIn:
With an all-star profile and great storytelling, you can be a real stand out.
By sharing some of your achievements, project, and perhaps even award, you get a chance to stand out.
Publish articles, use the “add media” section to showcase some of your greatest skills and accomplishments.
Share articles and resources.
5. STAND OUT in your industry as a thought leader. If you’re willing and able to publish original content or videos or other content, your industry will start to notice.
6. HEAR ABOUT JOB & PROJECT LEADS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE. When you’re active and well-connected on LinkedIn … and helpful to others, it will come back to you big-time. People will think of you first when they hear about project & job opportunities. And, they’ll actually take the time to tell you about it and introduce you to the decision maker. It’s awesome!
