If used correctly, Linkedin can be a great resource for independent recruiters. Because most people use Linkedin strictly for business purposes, you don’t have to worry about your newsfeed and inbox filling up with things unrelated to your professional career. Linkedin allows recruiters to identify and contact candidates based on their work history, industry skills and specialization. It is very easy to target candidates, whether they are active or passive, if you know the basics of Linkedin. Since not everyone is familiar with Linkedin and how it can be used as a resource to identify candidates and publicize positions, here are five basic tips to help you survive on Linkedin.
1. Use your Inmail
With the free version of Linkedin, you have five inmails a month that you can use to connect with active or passive candidates or potential clients outside of your network. Use these wisely as they are the best way to get in front of someone you may not normally be able to contact. Carefully craft your message so that it isn’t confused with spam. The more personalized the better. Make it clear who you are any why you are contacting them.
2. Create a company page
It’s important to send the right message about your firm to candidates and clients who may be viewing your company page. Linkedin recently added a new feature where you can post updates and content directly from your firm page. This is a great place to post your current openings. Also, make sure your current employees have linked themselves through their work experience to your firm page. That way, candidates will have a clearer picture of the size of your company and the recruiters working for you.
3. Keep your personal profile current
Job seekers and clients can get a very accurate view of you and your firm if you provide them with correct and thorough information in your personal profile. Use this opportunity to put your firm description as well as your areas of specialty and how long your firm has been in business. It doesn’t hurt to make this page keyword optimized as well. In a lot of cases, when someone does a Google search on you or your firm name, your Linkedin profile will probably appear within the first page of the results. Also, there are several applications that can be downloaded to your personal profile page to increase its interactivity, such as Reading List by Amazon, Blog Link, SlideShare Presentations, Tripit and much more. There is a great tool to the right of your screen when you are under the “edit profile” option called “improve your profile”. By clicking this tool, Linkedin will suggest profile updates for you and identify areas where you can improve. It’s great for those that are new to Linkedin and just starting to complete their profile.
4. Post updates frequently
Both your company and personal profile pages give you the opportunity to post updates with the option to attach a link to relevant content. Use this tool to post open positions, industry news, or content that you think may be useful to others in the recruiting industry. You can also use the automatic twitter feed to post the same information to your twitter account. Another great feature of the posting tool is that you can push your update to all the groups that you are currently a member of. By clicking the “share” link under the post, you can select the group you want to push the update to. This way, you are visible within the groups that you participate in as well.
5. Frequently browse your connections’ connections
By browsing your connections’ connections you may find people that you already know but haven’t yet connected with, or people you should know/connect with. I do this all the time and find long lost co-workers, business contact and friends. It’s a great way to increase your reach.
I think one of the most important tips that I can give regarding the social media sphere is that whatever you do, do it consistently. The more consistent you are with your updates, posts and content, the more recognizable you will be through whatever social media channel you decide to use.