Career Hub

LinkedIn Q & A [Part 7 of 7]: What To Write In Your Profile When Job Searching

Questions: If I’m job searching, what should I put in my LinkedIn profile?

Answer: Here are 10 tips:

1. If you’ve been made redundant, don’t write “looking for a job.” Factually it may be true, but it smacks of desperation and isn’t the first impression you want to give to recruiters and contacts coming to your page.

Focus instead on telling the reader what you can do, what you can offer and who you can help by following the 9 tips below:

2. Don’t define yourself simply by your previous job titles (it limits the potential opportunities)

3. Define the target sectors, the kind of problems you can solve and the value and benefits you’ve a track record of delivering (it will open you up to different possibilities)

4. Make sure you state job titles (recruiters search using titles and so to come up on searches quote the type of key words and titles you think they’d put into a search)

5. Notice how this list is full of contradictions (there’s no hard and fast rules. I’m simply sharing my experience and opinions – so make up your own rules and test them)

6. Test, try, edit, evaluate (now rinse and repeat)

7. Make the profile more than two lines please

8. But don’t tell me your life story

9. Make it slightly different or quirky from what everyone else writes on their profile (take a look at my own LinkedIn profile)

10. Be yourself. Don’t try and be different or clever by copying what everyone else writes.

Do you agree or have I got it all wrong? Feel free to share ideas or suggestions in the comments section below. 

By Sital Ruparelia

LinkedIn Q & A [Part 6 of 7]: Status Update Tips

Question: Have you any tips on what to write in the status updates on LinkedIn?

Answer:

1. Be Respectful of people’s attention

Just because your contacts agreed to connect with you on LinkedIn doesn’t mean you can spam their home page every day with irrelevant updates and self promotion.

2. Be Transparent

I often see people write a status update encouraging you to click on a link which then takes you through to some random product that they’re earning affiliate income from.

I’ve no objection to people promoting and earning affiliate income – but, like most people, don’t appreciate being misled. So be transparent.

3. Be of Value

Before you post a status update, ask yourself: “Will my status update be of value to my network? Will it be interesting, useful, entertaining or beneficial in some way?

If the answer is “no” or “I’m not sure”, don’t post it.

4. Be personable

Whilst LinkedIn is a professional networking site, it also allows people to see what you’re doing and feel more connected to you, without having to exchange emails or phone calls.

So share what you’re up to occasionally. But again, just ensure it’s something that would be of interest or value to others.

It’s useful if you’re telling me that you’re preparing a presentation on xyz subject, doing some charity work, just leaving town for a business trip, just started reading a great book or have just found a new job.

It helps me get a snippet of what you’re doing and feel more connected to you.

But saying “I’ve just had coffee” isn’t particularly of interest to many people – so maybe leave that for Facebook status updates rather than LinkedIn.

5. Promote with caution

If you’re going to self promote or make requests for help via the LinkedIn status updates, then do it sparingly.

If the only time people ever see your status updates is when you want something or are trying to promote something, then many contacts will view you as one of those people that only calls when they want something (..you know the type of people I mean).

But if you’re regularly sharing valuable, useful, interesting updates – then when you do want something or are promoting something, most people will have no issues with it. And in fact, are more likely to try and help you because you’re someone that shares openly.

6. Protect and enhance your Personal Brand

Remember, everything you write on LinkedIn is searchable via Google and other search engines. So any client, recruiter or employer will be able to see what you’re writing. As such, every time you update your status, it's an opportunity to enhance (or indeed damage) your personal brand.

So be clear about what you want to be known for, how you want people to perceive you and ensure that your status updates enhance your personal brand rather than damaging or diluting it.

By Sital Ruparelia

LinkedIn Q & A [Part 5 of 7]: How To Get High Quality Recommedations On LinkedIn

Question: How do you get genuine, personalised recommendations on LinkedIn?

Answer: Here are 4 tips to follow:

1. Make personal requests for a recommendation via phone or face to face before sending the LinkedIn request for recommendation

2. Request results and benefits driven recommendations

3. Ask people to include comments on what they feel makes you different or unique

4. Get into the habit of giving your contacts personalised recommendations (without wanting anything back)

Have you any more tips or suggestions…? Feel free to add them in the comments box below.

By Sital Ruparelia

The Between Jobs Part

Do not falter,

nor waiver and stub.

Do not give up,

learn from a flub.

Each day is a chance

to start over again.

Be not disappointed;

it goes with the plan.

Sooner than later

and sooner, I hope.

You will find new work,

until then, cope and hope.

With the struggles, the journey

the yings and the yangs,

the joy and exhilaration,

the pain and the pangs.

Stay focused, optimistic.

Reach out a helping hand.

Do not be deterred

by defeat or poor plans.

Befriend time, trust and talent

Build a team to succeed.

Keep your eye on the goal

until you get what you need.

by billiesucher

cross-posted billiesucherblog

LinkedIn Q & A [Part 4 of 7]: 3 Rules For Connecting With People You Don’t Know

Question: ”Are there any guidelines on connecting with people you don’t know?”

Answer:

Here are 3 rules to follow:

1. Be respectful of what type of networker they are:

There are 3 types of people on LinkedIn:

a) ‘Open Networkers’

People who are open to connect with anyone who approaches them

b) People who will only connect with people they have a relationship with

I know some people who will absolutely never connect with people they don’t have a face to face relationship with. That’s their choice and their prerogative.

c) People who are somewhere in between

I’m one of the ‘in between’ types.

I’m not an open networker that says “anyone, come and connect with me”, but at same time on my website I openly invite people that read my blog and newsletter to connect with me. Similarly on my Facebook page, I have link backs to my LinkedIn page too. So what I’m saying is that I’m open to connecting with people on LinkedIn who have some type of relationship with me (even though we may not know each other personally). That’s my choice.

Everyone is different so take a few moments to read people’s profiles, website, blog (if they have one) to look for clues to what they prefer and be respectful in following their preferences and choices in how they use LinkedIn.

2. Where possible, always go via a mutual contact

In the offline world, if you want to connect with someone you don’t know, it’s always best to go via a warm introduction rather than making a cold approach. The same applies on LinkedIn.

So mention the mutual contact within your invitation note and you’re more likely to get a positive response and begin the relationship on a good footing. Hardly rocket science, but many people don’t think to do this and simply try and make a cold approach or don’t bother at all.

3. Personalize and ‘be nice’

I hate the standardized LinkedIn invites. I know it’s a small thing, but taking 30 seconds to personalize a message makes so much difference. It tells me you want to connect with me rather than simply clock up the number of connections you have.

So if I receive a LinkedIn invite from someone I don’t know but they’ve personalized the note I’m generally fine with it.

E.g. “Hi Sital, I read your blog and really enjoy it. I hope you don’t mind me adding you to my LinkedIn network”

or “Hi Sital, I heard you speak at xyz and really found what you had to say about abc interesting. Would it be ok for us to connect on LinkedIn..?”

I’m totally fine with connecting with these types of people – because they’re being polite, respectful and have taken a few seconds to personalize their note.

In summary

If someone doesn’t know you, is not an ‘open networker’, has no mutual contacts with you and sees that you haven’t bothered to spend 30 seconds writing a personalized note in the invite – why should they be bothered to join your LinkedIn network?

Be respectful, be personable and be nice – it works (most) of the time…

By Sital Ruparelia

LinkedIn Q & A [Part 3 of 7]: How Well Must You Know Someone Before Connecting?

Question: ‘How well do I need to know someone before inviting them to connect on LinkedIn?”

Answer: Use the same common sense you’d use in the offline world

If you met someone at a networking event or conference, you’d usually exchange business cards and details once you’ve developed some kind of rapport or interaction with them. Sometimes it takes 20 minutes of conversation, sometimes it takes just 2 minutes – there are no hard and fast rules.

The same principle applies on LinkedIn – so use your common sense.

Consider how much rapport you have with them, how recently you interacted with them, how you came into contact with them (complete new contact or via a warm introduction) – and then, if you feel appropriate, invite them to connect by sending a personalized note (ie not using the standard LinkedIn invite).

“And what about connecting with people I don’t know? Is that a complete no no?”

I’ll answer that in tomorrow’s post.#

By Sital Ruparelia , @SitalRuparelia

Romancing employers is not just for February

This being Valentine’s Day month, it might unofficially be called “romancing employers month” to remind us not to take our careers for granted. Today’s job market often feels like a dating scene especially with the ratio of available candidates to open postings leaving  job seekers feeling awkwardly like they are never going to get a date for the prom. Networking purposefully to penetrate the unadvertised or hidden job market eliminates this situation by positioning you on the inside track to learn about potential job leads even when you are not actively looking for a new position.

Know the sayings about how love finds you when you are not looking for it and that you have to be in the right place at the right time?  That’s exactly how wise executives manage their careers. They are always initiating and cultivating strategic connections, nurturing their business relationships that keep them apprised of industry changes and staying in contact with decision makers so they are top of mind whenever new opportunities develop. Their network opens doors for them to plum jobs in the unadvertised or hidden job market.  If you don’t have a Valentine, this article won’t solve that problem for you, but if you don’t have a good network, let’s get you started on identifying and creating the right connections for your future success.

Before we go further, a few words about today’s very competitive job market. It is unlike any other in recent memory. Now more than ever before senior level executives have to be their own personal talent agents. You can’t rely on recruiters to find you a job or depend on resume submissions to command an employer’s attention. It is all about being connected to individual hiring authorities before that employer officially advertises a need for talent.  In other words, get to know employers as friends/colleagues before there is a job opening and you will be in the right place when the right job comes along.

If you don’t have the contacts that will recommend you, now is the time to make these connections which will generate future job leads. Identify target employers and within each company, determine the appropriate hiring decision makers as your target contact. Find out from mutual connections what challenges they face.  Research online to learn more about current trends.  Join professional associations and monitor discussions. Read trade publications, both new and traditional media. Purposefully seek to meet and engage this key person in a meaningful dialogue with the intent of leaving a positive and memorable impression.  You want to promote a mutually beneficial relationship, not get an interview. (Remember: friends first.)  Show them you are sincere by seeking their advice, sharing information, inviting them to a special event, recommending them to others, commenting on their blog, etc. Don’t ask if they know of any openings or can refer you. Give before expecting to get anything in return. Focus on how you can help them in different ways. Volunteer your knowledge to demonstrate your abilities and generosity.

Hang in there with polite, persistent pings and you’ll be remembered when there is an appropriate challenge that you can solve. The networking purposefully process works as the most effective job searching method available.  It does take time and effort, but it always produces results.  If you make romancing employers part of your career, you will always be plugged into the job market.

Debra Feldman, JobWhiz Executive Talent Agent

LinkedIn Q & A [Part 2 of 7]: Increasing The Number Of Connections

Question: “What’s a good number of contacts to have on LinkedIn? How do I increase the number quickly?”

Answer:

1. Stop focusing on the numbers

Whilst having a half empty LinkedIn profile and just 3 connections is pretty pointless, if you are overly concerned about how many connections you have – then you simply don’t 'get it.'

LinkedIn is a platform/tool to manage relationships and your network. And like any network, it’s about the quality not the quantity.

So instead of looking at ‘how many’ people you're connected to, your focus should instead be on ‘who’ you’re connected to and the quality of those relationships.

2. Focus on WHO you’re connected

The real value of LinkedIn is the ability to source contacts (and be sourced by others such as recruiters, hiring companies, potential clients) using the 6 degree of separation principle. And so the real value of your network is not in how many people you’re connected to – but who the people you are connected are – and in turn the quality of their networks.

Lets imagine you had 30 LinkedIn connections and you’re friend had 130 connections whilst you both searched for a new job within the banking sector. So that’s more than 4 times the size of your network.

But if your 30 contacts included 10 well known financial services recruiters (with strong LinkedIn networks) and 20 key industry contacts (again with strong LinkedIn connections), your 30 connections could well yield more of the right kind of opportunities and connections than your friend who has 130 contacts in all sorts of other industries.

3. Focus on the QUALITY of your relationships

But having these 30 connections is no good if you haven’t the relationships with those individuals. So instead of focusing purely on the numbers or ‘who you know’, focus on cultivating and strengthening those relationships.

How do you do that? Go back and read yesterday’s post about being generous.

4. Ensure you’re connected to all of your warm contacts on LinkedIn

This sounds really obvious. But I regularly come across people who I know fairly well but am not connected to on LinkedIn. So rather than going in search of ‘new contacts’ – ensure your connected to people you already know.

Friends, colleagues, ex-colleagues, suppliers, clients, strategic partners, fellow members of professional associations, old university contacts etc

Am I completely off the mark with these answers? Feel free to share your thoughts, comments and suggestions in the box below.

This is part of a 7 part series of LinkedIn questions – look out for tomorrow’s question: “How well do I need to know someone before inviting them to connect with me?”

By Sital Ruparelia, @SitalRuparelia

LinkedIn Q & A [Part 1 of 7]: The Number One Rule For LinkedIn Users

In recent weeks I’ve had flurry of questions about using LinkedIn.

So over the next week I plan to post the 7 most common questions I’ve been asked along with my typical reply.

Here’s the first question and answer:

Question 1: “I’m just getting into LinkedIn – what would you say is your number one rule or principle for using LinkedIn?”

Answer: Focus on helping others, not just growing your network or ‘getting stuff’

The currency of networking is generosity – i.e. helping others.

And that’s what your focus should be when doing any kind of networking – being helpful and valuable to your network of contacts instead of simply trying to ‘get stuff’ from them – e.g. job leads, contacts or potential customers for your products and services.

LinkedIn is simply a networking tool – a technology platform to connect with your professional network.

And so the principle of being generous applies to your interactions on LinkedIn too. So if you’re new to LinkedIn,  don’t worry too much about how to do stuff – just keep asking  yourself “how can I help my contacts?” and  “how can I be of value to them?” and you’ll figure out everything else as you go along.

Just remember: We reep what we sow. So focus on cultivating a strong LinkedIn network by focussing on what you put into to it-  and in time all the support, contacts and leads will come to you (very often from different sources).

So what’s your number 1 LinkedIn rule or principle? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments box below.

Look out for the answer to Question 2 tomorrow:

Question 2: “What’s a good number of contacts to have on LinkedIn? How do I quickly increase the number of connections I have?

By Sital Ruparelia

4 Career Lessons From Jamie Oliver

Whilst celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has had his fair share of critics over the years, I’ve always been a big fan. Not necessarily because of his culinary skills, but because of what he stands for.

Jamie has worked tirelessly to give young unemployed people an opportunity to become chefs and transform their lives through his innovative Fifteen restaurants. He’s campaigned to change the way schools and the government feed children to turn around the obesity timebomb.

So I was delighted to see that his work was rewarded last week at the TED talks, where he was awarded the 2010 Ted Prize and gave the inspirational talk above about his wish to educate children on food and so eradicate obesity and dietary illnesses.

So how does a celebrity chef win such a prestigious award and be invited to speak in front of such an auspicious audience?

And what lessons can you learn from Jamie?

1. Care

There are easier ways to to sell cookery books and become an even bigger celebrity chef than trying to change the way schools and governments feed kids.

So does why Jamie do it?  - because he cares.

And so should you.

Whilst in the past ‘caring’ may have been deemed a little ‘fluffy’ in the business world, over the coming years ‘caring’ will become one of the new watch-words in modern business.

The advancements in web technology and the growth of social media platforms have made all of us ‘naked.’ Anyone with a computer, camera and an opinion can say what they want about you and your business, and have a ready-made media platform to tell the world.

So individuals or businesses who don’t give a damn about people (customers, employees, suppliers), who are in any way unethical or don’t deliver on their promise will be exposed. And like anything on the web, this transparency can spread like a virus.

You can no longer control what is said about you and the message being put out about you. So instead of trying to control what people say about you and trying so hard to ‘market and sell’ yourself, start caring about what you do and say, and the message will often take care of itself.

2. Do something of value

More and more people these days are asking “how can I do meaningful work?”

The simple answer is a) be clear about your unique talents and b) offer those talents in the service of something bigger than yourself.

That’s precisely what Jamie is doing. Offering his knowledge of food and cooking  along with his celebrity face and name to do something of value - in the service of something beyond himself. Sure, there will be some commercial success for him from this work, but that’s a by-product of doing something of value. But fundamentally he’s following an inner drive - or as Dan Pink would say, an ‘intrinsic’ motivation.

How about you?

Are you doing something of value or simply going through the motions? Are you using your unique talents to do something of value – either in your day job or away from work?

3. Be passionate

Jamie’s talk in the above clip is not the most polished talk you’ll watch at this year’s TED event. But it’s probably one of the most passionate ones. And it’s that passion that makes the difference.

Knowledge and qualifications may have been the currency of the past -- but in today’s workplace, people want to work with passionate individuals and do business with organizations with passionate people. Where does that passion come from? It comes from using your unique talents to do worthwhile work.

4. Put yourself out there

Since he began his crusade to transform the way children are fed – particularly in schools -- Jamie’s had a hard time from some critics. That’s what happens when you do something worthwhile – people will criticize you. But if you care about something and are passionate about it – you’ll stick your head above the parapet and put yourself out there. 

You may not win awards and accolades like Jamie has – and you don’t need to be on a crusade like him, but everyone has the ability to start doing work they care about, activities they’re passionate about doing something of value. 

So what is it you really care about?

What’s the work that gets you energized and passionate?

What would be a good next step right to start doing more of it..?

By Sital Ruparelia , @SitalRuparelia