Category: Workplace

Employee experience can seriously impact your bottom line. The Employer Brand Index gives you insight into what talent really thinks about your company.

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Workplace

Getting the Right Job AND the Right Money

People tend to get consumed in financial compensation in their jobs that they tend to overlook the really important things that will actually provide you with a sense of happiness. Programmes such as The Apprentice enforce the idea that bright sparks can get to the top quickly, with big salaries and big titles to their name. This may well be true and feasible for many, but it’s worth considering the other factors that are involved with job contentment.
 

There’s more to your career than the money

   
A company may offer you an incredible salary, but will you actually enjoy your job? As money-driven as we are in western society, we would do well to evaluate our priorities first.

Before you jump for a job strictly based on salary, ask yourself, if this is something you will really enjoy? Is it something you are keen to integrate into your life? Most career jobs by default become something heavily linked to our day-to-day lives.
This is important because in most cases, it’s better to start at a moderate level and work your way up, in which the money will ultimately increase and so will your skill-set and progression. 
   

But money does pay the bills at the end of the day

    
Now, that doesn’t mean that you should take a lowly paying job in hopes of it one day turn into a top-dog position, but rather, think about how you can create a balance: this is when it becomes important to evaluate the pros and cons.

In one sense, it may be attractive to go for the high paying job, but will you still be at the same salary and position within a year? Or, is it better to take the lower-end of the scale and know that within six-months to one year there are opportunities for advancement within the department or the company! That’s for you to decide, but then this is also time for you to find out exactly what drives you to go to work every day, or what motivates point blank. Often, employees find that they start at the very bottom and slowly but surely work their way to the top, establishing themselves as a core member of the workplace and a loyal one too.

For some people, it’s going into an office where people are motivated and work in a team environment, for others it’s a competitive drive that inspires their work ethic. Either way, it’s important to take note of your wants and needs because you may be over-extending your skills and expectations. The last thing you want to do is to accept a job based on having a high salary only for the company to realise that you are not necessarily a good fit for the job.
   

Shop around and see what works for you

   
Whatever you do, just make sure you take all aspects into consideration. Going for the gold means a lot more than the coin, there’s your integrity, reputation, ability and happiness as well –remember your quality of life matters too. Have a real look around before applying; websites like reed.co.uk offer up a wide and interesting range of jobs in financial, creative and media fields, and will illustrate a diversity of roles to think about.

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Talent Acquisition Workplace

Sack Your Boss! 6 Steps to Start a Business


 
A career as an entrepreneur is quite lucrative. To become an entrepreneur, you need to have plenty of confidence, motivation and the courage to take risks. In the modern-day world, there are multiple examples of successful entrepreneurs. If the story of an entrepreneur highly motivates you and you dream to make your own mark, you can decide to start on an entrepreneurial journey.

If you haven’t decided to leave work just yet, check out So You Want to Leave a Job You Hate. If you are already on your way, here are the 6 ways to becoming an entrepreneur:
 

1. Think of a Unique Idea

 
The journey of an entrepreneur begins with an idea which has the potential to bring success. If you want to prove your entrepreneurial talent to the world, you should start brainstorming to come up with a great idea.
 
If you are already working in an industry, you should try to figure out the gaps that other businesses have been unable to fill up. Once you have identified the loopholes in an industry, you can rack your brains to come up with an idea in the form of an effective solution.
 

2. Believe in that Idea

 
Whether or not you have strong belief in the idea you have come up with can make all the difference. If you don’t believe in an idea really strongly, it will fail even if it was a unique one.
 
Once you have thought of a great idea, you should have enough confidence to make it work for you. It is your determination which will matter more than actually the idea that you hit upon.
 

3. Write Out a Plan

 
To make an idea really work well, you should prepare a concrete plan. Successful entrepreneurs have always put their entire plan in written. Right from creating the product to marketing it to the target audience, you need to focus on every detail. Don’t forget to do extensive industry research to write out a great plan to make the business idea come to life.
 

4. Get the First Round of Financing

 
In the initial stage of your entrepreneurial journey, you will need to arrange for the first round of financing. This is where putting your entire business plan to paper comes in handy. When you have a written plan in hand, you can easily put across your point to venture capitalists.
 

5. Start Working

 
When you have the finance available to start your entrepreneurial venture, it’s time to prove yourself. Use appropriate resources to accomplish the project within the pre-decided timeframe. You should also have the motivation to overcome the barriers that you might face while moving ahead. Be inspired and continue to move on with a positive attitude.
 

6. Connect with Other Entrepreneurs

 
You must have heard the line that ‘being with a winner makes you a winner’. Now that you are in business, you should adopt the habit of networking with other successful entrepreneurs. Networking with other entrepreneurs keeps you motivated as well as abreast of the latest tips and tricks of the trade.
 
So, are you determined enough to set out on your entrepreneurial journey?

Related: The Pros and Cons of Being a Freelancer.
 
 
James Tomerson writes regularly on career, education and latest job trends. To read more from him, you can visit Jobdiagnosis.com, which also offers jobseekers a free career test to choose a career which is in tune with their career, aptitude and skills.

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Workplace

Resume vs. One-Page Proposal: A Side-by-Side Comparison


 
Getting hired is tough. What’s even tougher is getting hired into a job that you actually want. Between resumes, applications, and cover letters, many job seekers fear that their documents aren’t making the right impression.
 
Introducing the one-page proposal. Based on Patrick G. Riley’s book, The Resume is Dead!, the one-page proposal is lauded as the solution to the common resume. As CEO of The One-Page Company, I clearly agree.
 
However, how will people turn to one-page proposals if they don’t know what they are? Better yet, how will they change if they don’t know the difference between that and the resume?
 
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the resume and the one-page proposal:

 
1. What are they?
 

Resumes are traditional. Since the dawn of time, job seekers have used resumes to court prospective employers. They’re commonplace and generally expected in hiring situations.
 
One-page proposals are new. The one-page job proposal is a relatively new concept and it’s not especially common in hiring situations. Hiring managers don’t explicitly ask for one-page proposals.

 
2. Focus
 

Resumes focus on the job-seeker. It’s all about the job seeker. My experience, my skills, me, me, me. The employer oftentimes needs to connect the dots between the resume and the actual job.
 
One-page proposals focus on the employer. Attention shifts to the employer, company, and position in question. The proposal discusses the company and how the job seeker will fit into the overall picture.

 
3. Content

 
Resumes record the past. It’s all about past experience, schooling, and skills developed. It is important for employers to learn about what an applicant has taken away from the past, but are left without an idea of what is to come.
 
One-page proposals look to the future. Proposals include past experience, but are chiefly centered on what will happen. Applicants tell employers what they will do and how that will happen.

 
4. Goal

   
Resumes are broad. It’s not uncommon for a job seeker to use the same resume time and time again for dozens of different companies. The goal is to get a job in an industry, not taking the company or position into account.
 
One-page proposals are targeted. One-page proposals are meant for one company, position, and reader. They are unique to other applications and get down to the specifics of the position and company.
 
There you have it. The next time someone asks you about resumes or one-page proposals, you now know what makes each similar and unique.
 
While I have a fairly obvious opinion about resumes, I feel that job seekers are entitled to a choice in the hiring process, selecting the document that best suits their needs and expectations.
 
When applying to a job, would you choose a one-page proposal over a resume?  

Related: CV vs. Resume: What’s the Difference?
 
Joanna Riley Weidenmiller is the CEO of The One-Page Company and is responsible for executing the company’s strategic development plan. Prior to launching One-Page, Joanna was the CEO of Performance Advertising. Joanna earned her B.A. in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia and lives between Beijing, China, and San Francisco.

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Workplace

How to Market Your Personal Brand Like Kim Kardashian


Have you ever wondered how Kim Kardashian became famous? While some might refer to her as a “television personality” or “socialite,” Kim Kardashian is an archetypical personal brand. From her start in a reality television series to subsequent guest appearances on television shows and in movies, her efforts both on and offline have somehow made many people believe that she is not only valuable, but deserving of her fame.
 
Whatever your opinion is of the Kardashians, their story is a lesson about the power of marketing yourself. In this job market, a resume isn’t enough to make you stand out, even if it’s done by the best professional resume writing service. But even if you’re not actively looking for a job, when it comes to increasing your exposure to future employers and experts in your industry, it’s important to find appropriate ways to define and project your personal brand.

  

Find your niche

   

It’s not flattering to think of yourself as a commodity, but when it comes to getting recognized by employers and influencers, you’re only as good as the value you bring to the table. Most people tend to buy products that are very good at accomplishing one or two tasks. Products that can do many things in a mediocre way are generally not as popular.
   
Think of your brand the same way. You may know five languages, program in C++, like different types of artisan breads, and occasionally work out. That might make you interesting to your friends, but when you push out too many messages about yourself to your audience, it’s not only confusing, but makes you look unfocused.
   
Pinpoint one or two strengths that you feel comfortable being the go-to person for. Make sure you’re always up to date on the newest information and trends about whatever you choose as your specialty. For instance, if you decide to promote yourself as a graphic designer, it would be embarrassing if you didn’t know about new Photoshop features and releases. Set up a simple Google Alert to capture information about your specialty from a wide variety of sources.
   

  

Promote yourself in the right venues

   

Online social profiles are certainly nothing new. Sites like KnowEm and NameChk make it easy to claim hundreds of profiles across multiple social networking sites. Claiming your online profiles is a great way to prevent someone from snatching up your identity, but dedicating yourself to maintaining all of these profiles can be daunting.
   
Rather than spreading yourself thin, use top social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for a more focused reach. You can link updates from all of these accounts rather than posting separate updates on each. To reach a focused audience, pick one or two niche social networks. For graphic designers, Meetup where you can meet other industry professionals and employers. Most major office supply shops offer business card printing services. Have them printed with addresses of your social profiles to maximize your exposure.
  

Contribute to the discourse

   

Employers and recruiters won’t notice you if you simply sit back and read discussion forums. Participate! You don’t have to offer the most groundbreaking view on a topic, but sharing an informed opinion will showcase your expertise. If you’re really stumped on what to add to a discussion, ask the questions no one else is asking.
   
Remember to keep discussions polite, both online and offline. Once you’ve refined your prowess, it might be easier for you to pick out the flaws in others’ opinions. Employers and influencers don’t like bullies. Politely share your knowledge, and show that you’re someone who can help others with their professional development.
   
The majority of us won’t be able to market ourselves like the Kardashians. While frantic outbursts, self-indulgence, and vanity work for a small percentage of the population, the rest of us will get further by becoming informed industry experts, sharing our expertise, and demonstrating our value.
  
To learn more, check out our Personal Branding Workshops running in the UK and further afield.
     
Leslie Williams is a writer for Jobfox Resumes, the largest resume writing service online. She specializes in using social media to connect to the right job.

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Employer Branding Timebound Workplace

How a Game Designer’s Interview Blunder Led Him to Conquer the World

   
“I can’t believe I just said that…”
  
I’d be interested to see statistics on what percentage of job interviewees have suffered such a thought. And I wonder how often the interviewer even noticed or was bothered by the interviewer’s supposed gaff.
    
Twenty-two years ago, a young Tim Schafer made a big gaff…and the interviewer certainly noticed. But after some creative thinking, he landed the job. Today, he’s a computer game industry icon.
   
Check out these excerpts from his fantastic blog (where you can even see copies of his rejection letters for even more inspiration!):
   
“My job hunt was getting kind of depressing. I was building up a pile of rejection letters, most of them from jobs I didn’t even want.”

But then, one bright summer day, I walked into the campus career center and saw this:
 

 
That’s the original posting for the “Assistant Designer / Programmer” position at Lucasfilm, Games Division.

I called David Fox right away and scribbled all the notes you see while I was talking to him. I told him how much I wanted to work at Lucasfilm, not because of Star Wars, but because I loved, “Ball Blaster.”

“Ball Blaster, eh?” he said.

“Yeah! I love Ball Blaster!” I said. It was true. I had broken a joystick playing that game on my Atari 800.

“Well, the name of the game is Ball Blazer.” Mr. Fox said, curtly. “It was only called Ball Blaster in the pirated version.”

Gulp.

Totally busted. It was true—I had played the pirated version. There, I said it…

The rest of the phone call didn’t go much better. But at the end of it, David told me to send in my resume, along with a cover letter describing my ideal job. Since I figured I had blown the interview, I had nothing to lose. So I did my cover letter in the form of a semi-graphic adventure.

 
It worked.
 


 
What we can learn from Tim’s application:
  
1. Know how to sell your strengths
   
Tim could easily have penned a typical cover letter, but his creativity wouldn’t nearly have been apparent. Granted, the traditional cover email/CV combination is more appropriate for the vast majority of positions. But candidates must still use these mediums to demonstrate their skills and capabilities. That’s why we’ve given candidates the option to attach multi-media work samples to their Innovate CV. After all, sometimes a candidate needs to go beyond ‘telling’ and start ‘showing’ in order to stand out.
 
2. Exclusive applications
    
I’d be willing to bet that Lucas Films were more taken aback by Tim’s sincerity than by his creativity. After all, this wasn’t merely a creative application that Lucas Arts had received…along with a hundred other companies. Tim’s application was designed and created exclusively for them! Imagine that.
 
Hiring staff can tell immediately tell when they’re receiving a generic CV (as good as it may be) versus a customised CV. The tailored approach takes into account the industry, organisation, and position. When candidates respectively make the effort to personalise an application, they present themselves as a far more professional and thoughtful. Innovate CV’s management system allows you to easily oversee your various CVs.
 
3. Play with the rules
   
Lucas Film’s asked Tim to submit ‘a cover letter describing [his] ideal job.’ Tim understood that they likely wanted to ascertain his writing skills and creativity. So with that in mind, he took a risk, and took a different route.
 
Hiring managers want the best, and unless the organisation is stuck in her procedure, they don’t mind if candidates break the rules to stand out. Read between the lines to determine where you have space to try something different. But of course, know your limits. Common sense applies.
 
4. Be proactive, even if when it hurts
    
Tim’s job hunt wasn’t going well, yet he persisted. His proactive visit to a campus career centre led him to his dream opportunity.
 
Job hunting is emotionally exhausting. When the lousy jobs even seem out of reach, it’s easy to give up on one’s dreams. There’s a world of gamers out there who are forever grateful that Tim didn’t do just that, no matter how tempting the option may have been.
 
5. Interviews aren’t everything
    
Despite a lousy interview, Tim’s fantastic follow-up won him the position. One strike doesn’t mean you’re out.
 
Candidates who struggle in an interview can confidently bounce back. Take stock of what went wrong and remedy the issues with a thoughtfully worded follow-up email or letter.
 
Well done, Tim. Thanks for sharing your story.
   
What else can we learn from Tim? What have been your nightmare interview moments? 

Related: The 7 Qualities Employees are Looking for in Candidates.

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Workplace

How to Find the Best Paid Jobs Online


Social media is more than just playing games on Facebook or tweeting every bit and part of your mundane life. Do you know that proper use of social media can enhance your chance of getting a well paid job? In this article I will be sharing some tips that might be useful when it comes to landing the job of your dream.

   
LinkedIn

   
The first site that you will want to consider is LinkedIn. If there is a site that recruiters may use to uncover their next employee it will be this one. This is why it is important that you spend some time to create a good and accurate profile on the site. Do not forget to insert a picture of yourself on your profile-nothing fancy though.

What you need to remember is that the real power of a network is in the second degree, i.e. you should make the most of the network of your network. If there is someone within your network that is friend with someone influential you might want to ask for an introduction from a friend.
   
If you need help moving on, check out the Guerilla LinkedIn Makeover which has helped thousands of job seekers already.

     
Blogging

     
Although blog may have lost its original influence, it can still be helpful when it comes to choosing a job if you know how to use it properly. One idea will be to start a blog where you will cover the latest developments in your field and at the same time share it with your networks on LinkedIn or any other social network. This will put you under the radar of some of the influential person within your industry.

Make sure that your posts are really pertinent and do not hesitate to share your own views and ideas to show your prospective employers how knowledgeable you might be in your niche.
     
For more on blogging, check out How Blogging Will Boost Your Career and Personal Brand.

   

Twitter

      
Twitter is another important tool when it comes to finding a job. Again you will need to make sure that you have a completed bio with a link to your online resume to give a good image of yourself. Again you should make everything sound professional-no silly avatars or background please.
   
Just as with your blog you will want to make use of this site to establish yourself as an expert in your field. To achieve this you will need to ensure that your tweets are relevant and really add value for all your followers. You might also want to follow all the leaders and influential person within your niche. This is where the advanced search features of Twitter might be really useful.
   
For more on Twitter, see 10 Hot Twitter Job Search Tips.

      
Facebook

        
This article will be incomplete without mentioning Facebook. Although many people seem to be using Facebook casually, it can also have some influences on your job searching endeavors.

First of all you will want to ensure that you do not have some compromising photos lurking on your Facebook account that will hinder your chances of getting your dream jobs. It might therefore be important that you monitor your privacy settings closely to ensure that sensitive information is not available on the internet.

There are a lot of companies that post job openings on their Facebook fan page and having a professional-looking Facebook account can really make your life easier when it comes to applying for these positions.
   
More on Facebook at 10 Useful Personal Branding Tips on Facebook.

       
Final word: Be Bold

     
Sometimes it may pay off to be bold. Whatever social media site you might be using, it might be useful to post a status update that will let your followers know that you are looking for a job. There are many people that have got their dream job via social media sites and this might also be the case for you.

Robert Bellarmine is a writer for Visitask.com where he deals with the subject of project management and other hot topics for career management.

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Workplace

7 Ways to Accelerate Your Job Search

Considering the tough competition of the job market, jobseekers need to be smart enough to perform their job search smoothly. A slow start to your job search may increase the period of unemployment. Many times, jobseekers also get stuck with their job hunting process. While searching for jobs, it is important to save time and speed up the process of finding jobs as much as possible.
 
To expedite the process of job hunt, you need to be equipped with some essential pieces of advice. Given below are eight essential tips to help you.
 

#1. Get Prepared

If you are starting a job search, you need to set up a couple of things. Make sure you are ready with a professional email address, a telephone answering machine or voice messaging system. Always remember to put your cellular phone number in the job resume, so that you are easily contactable by the employers. There are various job search toolkits available online as well to prepare yourself for searching jobs.
 

More tips at How to Create a Professional Email for Your Career or Job Search.

 

#2. Keep Your Resume Up-to-date

Nothing can be more frustrating than not having an up-to-date resume when it comes to finding a new job. You never know when an opportunity will strike. So, you should always keep your resume current and updated. Continue including new skills and experience in your resume as soon as your acquire them.
 

More at Top 10 Signs Your Resume Needs Updating.

 

#3. Keep Templates Ready to Edit

Have multiple copies of your job resume and cover letter ready to edit. If you are ready with the templates, you can immediately tailor the same according to the job application requirements. You won’t need to change the contact information, opening and closing paragraphs for applying to different job positions. Rest of the content can be optimized according to the requirements.
 

Also check out the LinkedIn Resume Builder for a quick way to send a resume.

 

#4. Use Job Search Engines

There are plenty of useful job search engines available on the internet. There are many job search engines that are global while there are other job boards that are regional. Prepare a list of all the major job boards, company websites and associations that you want to use. Use a number of job search engines and job banks to speed up the process of searching jobs.
 

Check out the Top 5 Job Search Aggregators out there.

 

#5. Let Job Information Come to You

There are several job banks and job sites that will send you job listings by email. Find out such job search agents that can send you current job information. There are various websites that specialize in sending job opening announcement to jobseekers. This step is very useful for speeding up the process of job hunting.
 

Read more at How to Use Google Alerts for a Live Job Search.

 

#6. Time Saver Tips

If you want to speed up the process even more, you can take help from resume writing and resume editing services online. There are plenty of online resume posting services that can immediately post your job resume to multiple job boards at one. This can save you ample time.
 

And in the meantime you can watch Speedy Gonzales Cannery Woe.

 

#7. Keep Your References Ready

Another most important job search tip is to be ready with the references that you want to include in your resume or want to send to the interviewers. Make sure you have complete informational details of the references you want to send. While creating the list of references, remember to include their full name, job title, company name, phone number and email address where they can be contacted.
 

See more at References Available Upon Request.

 

#8. Leverage Your Network

Jobseekers should be advised that not all job vacancies are advertised. Most of the job openings are filled through networking. Ensure that everyone in your professional networking loop is aware that you are searching for a job. Ask your contacts if they can provide your some valuable job information. Keep expanding your professional network as well.
  

Check out 7 Brilliant Ways to Use Your Network to Get a New Job.
 
 
James Tomerson writes regularly on career, education and latest job trends. To read more from him, you can visit Jobdiagnosis.com, which also offers jobseekers a free career test to choose a career which is in tune with their career, aptitude and skills.

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Workplace

4 Ways Freelancers Can Promote Themselves on Social

The freelance life is really catching on these days. From workplace-weary professionals to recent college graduates, many are excited by the prospect of setting their own schedule and working from the comfort of home.

 

In the past, the best ways for freelancers to get their names in front of potential clients were non-digital. Cold calls, query letters, and in-person networking were all ways the would-be freelancer could try and land a gig. Those methods worked, and they still can – sometimes.

 

But social media is shaking things up. Freelancers like me are now finding new business without making nerve-wracking phone calls or even leaving the house. Whether you are looking to freelance full-time or just want a few projects you can tackle on the side, the following tips will help you market yourself through social networks, build connections, and get new clients.

 

1. Make time for social networking.

 

If there’s one thing all freelancers know, it’s that they can spend just as much time marketing their services as they can practicing their craft, especially when they’re starting out. Work social networking into your regular marketing regimen. For every query letter you write, for example, you might reach out to two new contacts on Twitter. This alone can get you hundreds of contacts every year, and it takes very little effort.

 

For those worried about the time investment needed to utilize social media, consider how much time is spent attending face-to-face networking events and banking phone numbers for cold call lists. Setting a goal of just one new contact per day via Twitter or LinkedIn takes much less time and energy than either of those traditional marketing methods, and it’s a much less intrusive way to reach your audience.

 

2. Know your audience.

 

Who are you trying to reach? Answering that question should tell you who you need to target on the social networks. It’s certainly possible to start following as many people as possible on Twitter, get several to follow back, and breathe a sigh of relief at all the “social proof” provided by your new arsenal of Twitter followers.

 

But lots of connections might not a happy freelancer make. It’s important to focus your efforts on those people and industries that are likely to generate new leads for you. Following the tweets of 200 professionals in your niche is much more valuable than following just anybody.

 

Freelancers who know their audience are able to forge relevant business relationships through social media, and one high-quality contact is worth far more than a million who will never bring you any business.

 

3. Build your brand.

 

If you’re a full-time or part-time freelancer, you’re also a small business owner. While creating and maintaining a personal brand is necessary for every professional, remember that freelancers who market through social media also have a professional brand – their business – which is inseparable from their personal brand.

 

When you freelance, you are your business and your business is you.

 

Does that mean you’re not free to “be yourself” when using social media? Of course not! On the contrary, you will have the opportunity to display your business to the world with every digital interaction – no matter how “personal” that interaction is. Just be sure the message you send to friends, family, and professional contacts on the social web is one you’re not afraid to associate with your freelance efforts.

 

4. Utilize multiple channels.

 

If your results from Twitter are so-so at best, add another network to your social media repertoire. You might be the type of freelancer whose audience is less active on Twitter than LinkedIn, Facebook, or another network. What’s more, you may find your style is more suited to one network than it is to another. The only way to know which ones are best is to try several.

 

But before you decide one network isn’t best for your business, make sure you’re using it to its fullest potential. Don’t discount LinkedIn, for instance, if you haven’t asked for recommendations and haven’t mingled in several group discussions over an extended period of time. If you’re not taking advantage of what each network offers, you’re unlikely to see results.

 

Whether it’s full-time or part-time, freelancing has always held professional advantages. Doing great work on behalf of a variety of organizations allows you to connect with scores of contacts who could be helpful down the line. Social media, when properly utilized, lets us freelancers turn our networking up a notch.

Related: 7 Reasons Personal Branding is Important for Freelancers.

 

Adam Green is a freelance copywriter and

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Workplace

7 Ways College Students Can Benefit from LinkedIn

Considering the excellent benefits that connecting with professionals on LinkedIn brings, college students can never ignore this social networking platform. In fact, your networking on LinkedIn should begin as early as possible. LinkedIn can help you find jobs as soon as you graduate from college.

 

However, it’s a regret that college students spend very little time on this professional social networking platform, as compared to the time spent on other popular social networking websites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

 

Given below are some key tips on how college students should use LinkedIn and how they can reap maximum benefits by connecting with professionals on this social networking website.

 

1. Getting Job Email Alerts
 

Once you have created your professional profile on LinkedIn, you can set email alerts to receive notifications of recommended jobs. Students and jobseekers will be able to see the notifications on their homepage as soon as they log into their LinkedIn accounts.

 

2. Connecting with Professionals

  

If you have a look at LinkedIn, you’ll be surprised to find out the large number of professionals who choose to connect here. In fact, you can find your friends, co-workers, colleagues, classmates and family members on this platform. And it’s never a tough job connecting with them all. What’s more, you can even import your email list to find out who among your friends is present on LinkedIn.

Related: How To Build a Brilliant Professional Network in College.

 

3. Conducting Company Research

   

One of the biggest benefits LinkedIn offers college students and jobseekers is that they can check out the pages of their targeted employers. By visiting company, pages, you can conduct a research on the whereabouts of the company, the hiring process and what people have to say about that organization. This kind of company research on LinkedIn can always keep a stay ahead of your competition and increases your employability.

 

4. Getting Recommendations

 

LinkedIn also offers a feature through which you can get other people to recommend you. People with a maximum number of recommendations have a great chance of attracting the employers’ attention. College students too can try to get as many recommendations as possible to increase their employability.

Be sure to check out How to Get More LinkedIn Recommendations as well.

 

5. Letting Companies Find You

 

Today, a large number of organizations look for talented candidates on social networking platforms like LinkedIn. If you have created a good and detailed professional profile, chances are you will attract employer’s attention. And it would really be nice to be invited by companies for your job position you always wanted to occupy.

 

6. Connecting with Other Students

 

College students can also use LinkedIn to network with other students. This type of networking gives you a wonderful opportunity to find out how other college graduates found a job or got hired by an employer.

 

7. Landing International Jobs

 

Well, LinkedIn is a global networking platform. If you are interested in landing jobs overseas, you can get a lot of benefits by networking on this social media website. You can connect with all the major international employers and find jobs in foreign countries. 

  

Conclusion

 

It’s about time that college students too created their profiles on LinkedIn and started to use this social media platform for connecting with professionals. If you prepare yourself as early as possible, you can easily stay ahead of your competition when it comes to landing a job of your interest.

To learn how some people are using LinkedIn to attract employers, get called to interview, and get hired, see the Guerilla LinkedIn Makeover!
 

James Tomerson writes regularly on career, education and latest job trends. To read more from him, you can visit Jobdiagnosis.com, which also offers jobseekers a free career test to choose a career which is in tune with their career, aptitude and skills.