What is a LinkedIn Open Networker (LION)?

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez of Great Resumes Fast

When endeavoring to conduct a successful job search, it’s a good idea to be open to the many networking opportunities available. One possibility that many seekers don’t know about is LION, or the LinkedIn Open Networker.

LinkedIn Open Networker (LION) Defined

The LinkedIn Open Networker is a member of the professional social networking site that encourages connections from any member of the site by publicly declaring they are open networkers. In other words, they are open to connecting with anyone who sends an invitation to them.

Under most circumstances, when you sign up for a LinkedIn account, you are placed into a network—according to your location and possibly your school and professional affiliations. This creates limits on the number of people who can become your connection.

But by becoming a LinkedIn Open Networker, you open the possibility of expanding your connection base by quickly increasing the number of people in your network. Continue Reading

Developing Your Executive Brand On LinkedIn

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez of Great Resumes Fast

One of the most important aspects of any job search is developing a brand that helps define you as a top professional in your field. At the executive level, it becomes even more pertinent that others are able to quickly identify the level of expertise you can bring to the table by seeing your name or title.

LinkedIn has become an amazing tool for the executive job seeker who wants to build his or her brand. But the site is useful only for those who make the most of the opportunities it presents. So what steps should you take to effectively develop your executive brand on LinkedIn? Continue Reading

Are You Underutilizing LinkedIn? 7 Tips for Making the Most of Your Profile

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez of Great Resumes Fast

When on the prowl for a new position, job seekers must turn every stone they run across.  This means taking advantage of networking opportunities, online forums, job boards, and other unexpected resources.

For many, LinkedIn has become an amazing online tool for networking with professionals and finding great job opportunities.  But many experts say the opportunities would be even more extensive if job seekers knew how to make the most of this social networking site by utilizing the following seven tips: Continue Reading

Companies Expect to Invest More in Social Media; Facebook Tops the List

It looks like many companies are valuing the power of social media.  As a result, they are willing to spend more money to increase their online presence.

We all want to be liked, but a majority of businesses may be willing to pay more for the distinction, a new survey by The Creative Group suggests. More than half (53 percent) of advertising and marketing executives interviewed said they expect companies to increase their investment in Facebook this year. Respondents also anticipate more marketing dollars will be channeled toward Twitter (43 percent), Google+ (41 percent), LinkedIn (38 percent) and YouTube (36 percent). Continue Reading

Experience: You Can Find It if You Look in the Right Places

If you are like many people trying to start their careers, your biggest challenge might be limited work experience. Many positions require applicants to have years of related experience in the field. But how can you possibly gain the necessary expertise when you are not even qualified to enter the industry and start working? Still, there are several options that can help you overcome this obstacle, and you can gain the skills and respect you need for an effective job search. Continue Reading

Can LinkedIn Make Applying for Jobs Easier?

A recent Wall Street Journal report has revealed that LinkedIn is making some changes that could simplify the application process for many job seekers who have profiles on the site.

LinkedIn Will Utilize Auto-Fill Technology to Make Applying Easier

The WSJ article reported that LinkedIn is now partnering with Taleo, the country’s largest job applicant tracking system provider, in order to allow job seekers the opportunity to utilize auto-fill technology through their LinkedIn profiles when applying for jobs. Continue Reading

Why a LinkedIn Profile Is Crucial for C-Level Executives

LinkedIn has become the go-to site for individuals who want to display all aspects of their professional life in one place.  By setting up a profile you can showcase your resume, display your professional websites and blogs, garner recommendations, catch up with former associates, and acquire new networking contacts.

There’s currently no better online “catch all” for professionals hoping to gain exposure with recruiters and hiring managers.  This is why, as a C-level executive, it’s a good idea that you jump on the bandwagon with everyone else. Continue Reading

Job Search Advice: 5 Major Social Networking Job Search Mistakes To Avoid In 2012

If you’re engaged in a job search right now, take some time during the holiday season to revamp your job search strategy and make sure you aren’t committing any of these job search stalling mistakes.

SOCIAL NETWORKING MISTAKES

LinkedIn Mistake #1: Never request to be endorsed by someone you have never professionally or personally worked with, for, or with whom you have conducted business.  It is incredibly unprofessional.  How can someone recommend you and the work you’ve done if they’ve never actually worked with you in some way, shape, or form? Continue Reading

Going Digital to Find Work

The nation’s unemployment rate may be inching downward, but the out-of-work figures have remained in the 9.0 to 9.2 percent range since April 2011, according to Bureau of Labor statistics.

An estimated 32,000 job seekers found work in October, but that still leaves 13.9 million reported unemployed, which means a lot of people are competing for the same job.

So how do you stand out in that crowd? Continue Reading

Does Your LinkedIn Profile Serve As A Good Resume Supplement?

A job search can easily move at a fast pace; so fast, in fact, that we don’t consider the importance of the steps we take in the process.  This can be true of searching for jobs, writing resumes and cover letters, and even choosing the companies to which we submit.

LinkedIn has quickly become an amazing tool, aiding job seekers in finding employment thanks to its networking facilities.  But it can serve as a great way to supplement your resume.  Do you use your profile to meet this goal? Continue Reading