Want a new job - make sure you are on Linkedin
When you go shopping for a new gadget do you just go to your nearest electronics store (currys, best buy, etc) and read the marketing ticket next to the product?
No you probably don’t. You more than likely ask your friends if they’ve got one and what they think. Or you go and look for reviews that compare the different options.
The same applies to recruitment.
Employers don’t just rely on your cv (your marketing ticket), who knows what rubbish you’ve put in it. Employers want to validate that information.
Linkedin I find key to that validation process.
It takes 2 minutes to complete your profile and keep it up to date. Whilst it is similar to your CV it has a few benefits.
1. Its a very small world. I can see if you are connected to anyone I know or have worked with someone I know.
2. It validates what you have in your CV. Because its public you aren’t likely to exaggerate as much on Linkedin than you may do in your CV
3. You can get endorsements and recommendations from previous colleagues.
You wouldn’t included snippets of recommendations in your CV you can have them in your linkedin profile. Whats more, with the blandness of most references these provide some great information to base a decision on.
So make sure that you complete your profile.