Using the Resources on LinkedIn.com to Help Find a Job

Article by Jeff Tomlin

It’s tough out there. Ask anyone looking for a job in nearly any field, and they’ll be able to recite a long list of challenges that job-seekers face on a daily basis. Companies are closing or suspending hiring for the foreseeable future, competition for open positions has never been fiercer and the outlook for the nation’s economy hasn’t been this bleak in generations. Now more than ever, job hunters need to be resourceful in their efforts to secure gainful employment and few websites offer more of these resources than LinkedIn. Why should you add LinkedIn to your job-seeking toolbox? Here are some very good reasons:

Resources

LinkedIn lets you create a profile that potential employers can see and offers a wealth of practical articles on precisely the topics that job hunters need, such as How to Craft a Persuasive Cover Letter, How to Make Your Résumé Stand Out and much more. There are also a wide range of blogs to browse as well as user groups in different categories which registered users can join and with which you can interact, providing an invaluable perspective when you need it the most.

Connections

The importance of making connections when searching for a job cannot be overstated. Many times it is the most unlikely and roundabout connections that help you land an interview. Over 25 million professionals use LinkedIn to share information, ideas and opportunities. Whether you’re looking for an old classmate or another professional in your field, registering on the site opens up all these connections for you, along with the business opportunities that presents.

Exclusive Job Listings

The use of newspaper classifieds in a job search is definitely waning. More jobs than ever are being posted online. LinkedIn’s exclusive job listings and advanced job search features make it very easy to browse positions across the country in a wide range of different fields. Users can customize their search by location, company, title, newest listings and other parameters so that they may view only the most relevant positions.

Sharing Ideas on Their Q & A Message Boards

LinkedIn’s Q and A feature lets users ask questions and receive answers from industry experts and other users on a wide array of practical and esoteric topics. The Q and A feature is indicative of LinkedIn’s dedication to providing job seekers all the tools they need to advance their careers and gain a competitive edge in a very tight job market.

Competitive Advantage

When you are competing for a vacancy with another group of applicants, you have a distinct advantage if you are being recommended by a trusted connection, are connected to others in the company or even have mutual connections.

There are lots of other Web sites which help people find jobs, but very few can compete with LinkedIn’s resources and job listings. It’s never been more important for job seekers to explore every opportunity to help them stand out, and LinkedIn helps them accomplish that and a great deal more.

Published 3rd Apr 2009

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