10 ways to nab your dream job on LinkedIn

Whether you want to make a splash in a particular industry or work for a top company, get closer to your goal with these tips from LinkedIn experts

by Chrystal Chan /  Illustration by Don Tan

1. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is thorough and complete

Your LinkedIn profile is not your resume. Resumes should be sharp and succinct whereas your LinkedIn profile should be more detailed. Make sure it outlines your experience, skills, qualifications, certifications and passions, so you project your most complete self to your professional network.

2. Have a good profile photo

Accounts with a profile photo get 21 times more views and nine times more connection requests. It’s best to include a recent well-lit photo. You don’t need fancy equipment to achieve a professionally taken shot – your phone’s portrait mode can do the trick. Remember to smile!

3. Don’t neglect the headline

Your headline, that section under your name on LinkedIn, is important. It is one of the first things a recruiter sees when looking for candidates since the LinkedIn search algorithm highlights it. Use the headline to project your brand to your network. It should capture what you’re passionate about and what recruiters care about. You have 120 characters to make an impact – don’t waste the opportunity!

4. It’s not what you know but who you know

Reach out to as many people as you can to grow your network on LinkedIn. You never know how a connection to someone can help you land the job of your dreams. Fifty percent of hires result from personal connections. Look for people you have things in common with, such as former schoolmates. Say you want to work in the United States; look for a Singaporean working there. And remember to follow the company pages of employers you are keen to work for.

5. Prepare an elevator pitch

Imagine you have 60 seconds to tell the CEO of a company about yourself. This is called an elevator pitch. Think about what you would say to leave a good impression on that person, then put that into the “About” section under your LinkedIn profile. A good summary has breadth and depth. It tells people what you do in a concise manner yet still showcases your personality.

6. A good mentor makes all the difference

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from someone who has been there, done that. Using LinkedIn’s Career Advice Hub, which matches you with people in your industry, you can find a willing mentor. Your mentor could help you grow in your career journey and offer specific advice that might be hard to find elsewhere.

7. Do your homework before you ask for a referral

Introduce yourself when you send a connection request using the “Ask for a referral” feature. To spark a conversation, tell the person how you came across his or her profile and briefly share what you hope to achieve through the chat. For example, you can say you want to find out more about the culture of the company that the person works at, or that you’re aiming to gain industry knowledge. Be thoughtful when making your request and demonstrate that you’ve done your research on the person you’re messaging, the job role, or the company and industry.

8. Make your presence felt

Post frequently on LinkedIn, so you stay top-of-mind within your network. Share interesting articles that reinforce your passion or your personal brand. For example, if you are keen on business development, share news or commentaries related to that. Your posts can be used to seek ideas and suggestions from your network and also to inspire them with your unique point of view.

9. Make use of job search alerts

By using the job alert function on LinkedIn, you can be updated periodically on jobs that match your interests or experience. Keywords like “fintech” and job titles such as “account manager” can be included to ensure you get notified only about jobs you want. Set your alerts to come in daily, weekly or monthly.

10. Make your posts colourful

Don’t share a post for the sake of it. Be mindful about what you post and aim to stand out. Use images whenever possible and upload your posts on weekdays when more people are on LinkedIn. Hashtags are crucial – they let people from outside your network who search the hashtags see your posts. Encourage conversations by leaving questions at the end of your posts.

This story was published in the Aug-Sep 2020 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.