Unlock a Rapid Career Start With the LinkedIn Key
Entry-level jobs can be challenging to find. As a new graduate, you’re entering a crowded marketplace. Four million people graduate in the United States each year, and most of these enter the job market at the same time. That’s a huge amount of competition for jobs – and finance jobs are among the most sought after.
To give yourself the greatest chance of landing an entry-level job quickly, you’ll need to use all the job search channels open to you. LinkedIn could be the key that opens the door to your desired role.
Recruiters Use LinkedIn. Period.
LinkedIn is now the most popular channel for recruiters to search for candidates. There are now 58 million companies registered on the site, and, according to the latest research by Jobvite, 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to hunt for suitable candidates. But that’s not all. Other LinkedIn statistics show:
- 122 million people have received an interview through LinkedIn
- 50 million LinkedIn users search for jobs each week on LinkedIn
- 51% of Americans with a college degree use LinkedIn
- More than 35 million people have been hired by someone they connected with on LinkedIn
Each one of these statistics provides a compelling argument to get active on LinkedIn in your search for an entry-level job. When you consider all combined, LinkedIn becomes irresistible to job seekers.
6 Steps to Land an Entry-Level Job with the Help of LinkedIn
Many people have connected with decision makers and landed jobs through their connections on LinkedIn, as well as finding their dream role on the site. To be successful, it’s crucial to be strategic in how you use LinkedIn to find entry-level jobs:
Step 1: Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Job Hunting
Your profile is like a resume, and like all good resumes it needs to stand out to attract a recruiter. Tips to optimize your LinkedIn profile:
- Make sure your headline reflects who you are and what you can do
- Have a professional image
- Summarize your skills and abilities ─ use keywords to make these pop
- Include any relevant experience – internships, volunteer positions, group roles at college, etc.
- Highlight your education, including any external courses taken
- Include any publications, language skills, etc.
When you publish your profile, make sure it is complete with all relevant information. Be honest – never embellish the truth. Get feedback from people you trust.
Step 2: Get Networking!
With a properly optimized profile, you should begin to get recruiters finding you on LinkedIn. But you must also develop a network. The more people you connect with, the wider your network. Start by connecting to your friends, family, and fellow graduates.
Search for companies you would be interested in joining, and follow them. Follow their posts and articles, and get a feel for their culture and the language they use. Join the groups that their employees belong to – and you become part of their network.
Send personalized requests to connect with people in these companies who may be able to help you get your foot in the door ─ but don’t be too forward. Relationships must be nurtured, even online.
Step 3: Join Relevant LinkedIn Groups, and Get Active to Build Your Personal Brand
Join groups on LinkedIn that are relevant to the career you wish to follow and the industry you wish to work in. Then get active in them. Like posts. Share posts. Ask and answer questions. Participate fully, every day, and your connections will grow.
This is crucial to build your brand on LinkedIn. Set aside time each day to:
- Join in discussions
- Share others posts
- Comment on others posts
- Share relevant content
- Publish your own posts
Should someone comment on one of your posts or comments, always reply – even if only to thank them.
Step 4: Set Your Job Searches
In the Jobs tab on your LinkedIn account, you can set job alerts. You can use several filters, including:
- Date posted
- Experience level
- Job type
- Company
- Location
- Industry
Set up your job searches, and receive daily alerts of jobs that might be ideal for you.
Step 5: Be ‘Open to Work’
Let recruiters know you are seeking an entry-level job by setting your profile to show you are ‘Open to work’:
- Open your profile
- Click the ‘Open to’ blue button
- Click ‘Finding a new job’
- Select who you wish to see that you are open to work
- Click ‘Add to profile’
Let your profile do your job search for you, but don’t forget to reply promptly to messages sent to your inbox.
Step 6: Advertise!
Companies advertise their jobs; why shouldn’t you advertise your services and availability to work?
One of the best ways to do this is to create a post announcing your job search. All the work you have done to cultivate a growing list of connections will pay off. Your post will show up on their feeds, and may also show up on the feeds of their connections – especially if you request your post to be shared.
In your ‘Looking for work’ announcement, include:
- Why you are seeking an entry-level job (not just to ‘get a job’)
- The type of work you are seeking
- The type of company/team you wish to work with
- Relevant experience/qualifications/etc.
- A call to action (how you can be contacted)
Be sure to make your post concise and engaging. Two or three small paragraphs at the most. You can also post to the groups of which you are a member – but don’t become too aggressive.
Recruiters Love LinkedIn
Recruiters love LinkedIn, and so should you when seeking an entry-level job. It’s crucial to make time to conduct your job search on LinkedIn every day. You’ll improve your chances of landing the ideal job by being active on the platform, growing your network, connecting with others, joining groups, and joining in the conversation.
Make sure your profile is updated, and that you use all the tools available on LinkedIn, including job alerts, job searches, and the #opentowork status.
Get ahead of your competition in the search for an entry-level job. Use all the tools at your disposal.
To learn how we help graduates land the best entry-level jobs faster, submit your resume to 6 Degrees Group.