Chaleen Botha Chaleen Botha

“It is not what you know; it is whom you know that matters when looking for a job.”

Sounds familiar? Whether you agree with this statement, this is the reality for many job seekers out there. How else would you account for many very highly qualified people that can’t seem to land a job?

Two of the Factors that Influence Your Job Hunting

There are a variety of factors that may be relevant to this situation. Two of those factors are often a poorly drafted resume and a neglected LinkedIn profile. Though I can help you have your resume developed professionally, let me talk to you today about your ‘neglected’ LinkedIn profile.

Why You Must Update Your LinkedIn Profile

I still cannot believe that people hang on to things that worked in their job searching endeavours five years ago. Never before have things changed so fast when it comes to technology, as in this day and age.

If you do not have an active and updated LinkedIn profile, you run the risk of being passed over for opportunities that you apply for.

Let me tell you why:

• Hiring managers and recruiters search on LinkedIn for suitable candidates and often contact them before they put the advert out on other media platforms.
• LinkedIn is the place where you get to showcase your ‘know-how’ to the ‘who   you know.’ These contacts of yours are all people who could potentially refer you to others when they know you are actively looking.
• LinkedIn is the best social media platform to create your network, nurture professional relationships and engage with people and companies that could potentially offer you a job.

Can you now see the link between LinkedIn and that job you are after?

What to Think About with Your LinkedIn Profile

What do you have to consider when getting your profile ready?

• Think of yourself as a business brand. When a recruiter or potential employer receives your resume, they will most probably look you up on LinkedIn. Think about that – they will judge you on your LinkedIn profile. Ensure that it looks professional, from the cover photo to the links you like, share and comment on.
• Are you active on LinkedIn? Have you written any articles or posts that will set you apart as knowledgeable in your field? Remember that this is the place where you can showcase that you know what you do.
• Bear in mind that the web is active 24/7. LinkedIn is one of the only places where your ‘resume’ is always available – no need to get past those filtering software tools. Make sure that your profile is up to date with your latest experience.
• Invest at least 5 minutes a day to be on LinkedIn. During these 5 minutes do not scroll through as you will on Facebook. Contribute to others’ articles, and posts and communicate. By showing that you are out there, people will notice, and you want to be top of mind when they hear about a position that may suit you. With LinkedIn, consistency and persistence are key.

Is LinkedIn better than an updated resume?

This is not the question to ask.   Rather ask – how can I use both to land my dream job, or at least get access to the job market, if you are an immigrant.

An updated resume will be a physical document on the desk of the recruiter or interviewer, while your LinkedIn account will do the following for you:

• It will give you the opportunity to highlight activities such as volunteering, professional memberships, projects you have completed, and awards that extend beyond your career;
• You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and capabilities far beyond the constraints of a printed resume, including having those valuable endorsements and especially recommendations;
• Contributions, such as articles that you have written, about your field of expertise will set you apart as knowledgeable;
• The relationships you build through LinkedIn are invaluable. It could just prove to be pivotal to your job search;
• When you have a complete and professional LinkedIn profile, you gain the competitive advantage of online visibility.

With all the changes that LinkedIn is making, you can add images, media, video, and presentations, which add depth to your profile and possible job applications that you may lodge.

If you require help with creating a resume that highlights your Australian value proposition, or assistance with recruitment or setting up your LinkedIn profile, please feel free to contact me. Don’t hesitate to connect with me on LinkedIn and keep up with my frequent updates on both LinkedIn and  Facebook. You can easily reach me through a LinkedIn message or by finding my contact information here. 

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