Opportunity knocks 24 x 7 x 365. Even on rainy Mondays.
LinkedIn is an opportunity collector. But you have to show that you actively seek those opportunities. And you have to look really, really good in your LinkedIn profile to be seriously considered for them. You knew I would stress that!
No one reads your mind that well, so you have a few places to think about, and tell us, what you are seeking:
- If you are a job seeker, notify recruiters:
Once you make the button green (turned “on”), you are taken to a screen to refine your interests and educate recruiters about you, for better opportunity matches.
2. LinkedIn Salary allows you to obtain job salary insights and understand the various factors that impact pay scales for your next position and make more informed career decisions. One client was very impressed with this intelligence when I showed him how much a newly created position should pay to attract the right candidates.
3. If you are an entrepreneur/consultant, let others know you are open to short-term projects and other gigs. LinkedIn ProFinder is largely not well-known as a professional services marketplace that lets others offer you freelance or independent work in your area of expertise. One client is so hooked on ProFinder that he frets that one day they might eliminate it, as LinkedIn is unpredictable in making its changes, as we saw last week!
4. If you are looking to volunteer at a nonprofit, find one that suits you. Volunteer.LinkedIn.com shows opportunities to use your expertise to either serve on a nonprofit board or offer pro bono work. Thank you for being generous with your time and knowledge.
My advice: be open to new ideas, opportunities and data to make informed decisions. Use LinkedIn well, all its components to advise us of the desired change you want to make..
Even if you didn’t know about these slightly-obscure LinkedIn functions.
Now you do.
