3 reasons why Linkedin isn’t working for you...

 

Over half of Linkedin’s revenue comes from its advanced backend tool for recruiters. Take 2 minutes to read this article to convince yourself of the powerful hold that Linkedin has on professionals. So, lets assume that you have a profile.  Most professionals, however, fail to fully utilise the power of Linkedin. Here’s three reason’s why:
  

#1. Inadequate or out of date information

If you don’t have enough information with the right keywords then the recruiting fraternity can’t find you.  (I disagree with the above article, however, don’t put all the detail of your history on linkedin – you don’t want recruiters to cull you before they’ve spoken with you.)

#2. Passively waiting for the next amazing job

While recruiters are extensive users, remember that they have less than 20% of the available jobs. If you really want to find your next job, first, know what you want to do, and second, use Linkedin to speak to people that may be able to help you get there.
 

#3. Use it only to get a job

Linkedin is a relationship building tool. Don’t just use it for getting a job, use it to build strong relationships and, in the process, build your brand in the market. These relationships will help you at some point in your career, you just can’t tell how, or when. Its called the Theory of Abundance.

 

Retrenched? Why “she’ll be right, mate” won’t make it right.

This is a Blog we posted last year, but with the currently economic climate the say it is, and everyone knowing someone who has been recently made redundant, we felt it a good time to re-post.

Australians are notoriously bad for asking for help. It’s in our psyche to just get on with it, not quite knowing what “it” is and trusting that somehow it will all work out fine.

This is particularly evident when people are retrenched. It never ceases to amaze me how many people hesitate to start an outplacement program when it is offered to them. Having provided outplacement services to thousands of people, I’ve seen four different types of responses to being made redundant. Individual’s responses can be categorised according to Agency (that is, how much action a person takes) and Self-awareness.

1. The Victim has low self awareness and low agency. Victims withdraw after retrenchment and take little action to find something else. Occasionally victims are saved by an unexpected opportunity from a contact.

2. The Lone Wolf is “She’ll be right, mate” personified. This group launches into a job search with energy and vigour believing that they have everything under control. Sometimes they do, but more often than not they don’t. Lone wolves are usually derailed by what they don’t know.

3. The Park Bench realises that they need to take action but don’t. Park benches spend too much time processing the emotions of the change rather than shifting focus to a positive future. This failure to take action is the most common career derailer.

4. The Phoenix is self aware enough to move quickly through the difficult emotions and takes action to make a positive change in their career. These people are the most successful careerists as they take action throughout their career.Today’s labour market is increasingly sophisticated. A transition to a new role will see you pitched against those in the Phoenix category so take every opportunity offered by an outplacement program to enhance your career management skills and self awareness.