Are you working your social network online to find a job? Here at Market Street Talent, we know that cultivating an effective network is critical for job seekers – which is why today we’re tackling the topic of Linkedin recommendations to provide some insight into their relevance in the job search process.
In this great article on the subject from Forbes, Everything You Need to Know About LinkedIn Recommendations, the consensus is that having recommendations posted on the social networking site will give you the same boost that traditional references would. Good recruiters and prospective employers appreciate seeing that you have them, but will always check out the information submitted by a candidate. Here are some tips:
First, don’t go overboard on the endorsements and recommendations. Your profile will look strong with just the most specific, glowing reviews from people who really know your work. Having more than a dozen personal character recommendations from associates can seem showy, or (worse) staged.
Get good recommendations for your profile by asking clients, subordinates, supervisors and colleagues to write them. Reach out to people with a personal message on the site, or take them out to lunch or coffee and ask them face to face for a simple but honest reference. Always follow up any successful dealings with peers or clients by asking for a recommendation – most people are glad to write them when they’re deserved.
Another way to use recommendations to your advantage is to try writing one for a colleague. Surprisingly, the recommendations you write for others can be a great tool to get you noticed. Recruiters and hiring managers will use LinkedIn to search for a candidate, but sometimes check out the colleagues that made the recommendations as an indirect way to find talented, successful people who understand the power of successful networking.
There is much you can accomplish by gathering a carefully selected group of references and recommendations for your LinkedIn account. Recommend colleagues and others with talent. But be selective, and always manage your online presence – on Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook and any other sites – as carefully as you would your professional reputation in the office and with clients.
By the way – have you connected with Market Street Talent online? Visit us online here to search for a job, or send us your resume. Join our network – we want to hear from you! And if we have had a successful relationship – just ask for a glowing recommendation! We are happy to give an honest assessment of our working relationship – but only if it was positive, of course!