How to Use LinkedIn

Your LinkedIn profile can be used as a resume or a portfolio displaying your past employers, companies, other work you’ve done, activities, and volunteer work.  Netflix, Target, Microsoft, eBay are a few of the major companies that have used LinkedIn to recruit job candidates for employment.  LinkedIn allows individuals and companies to connect with each other and share common information. 

To use LinkedIn as a job search tool:

1.      Create a LinkedIn profile by creating a detailed and complete profile on the site.  This profile should include all of your employment including the current and past employment, all of your education, and job industry. Review over your current resume and copy or paste that information into your profile. If you’re unemployed then list your current employment position as being, “open to opportunities.”

2.      Add in a professional photo of yourself. An appropriate headshot is the most recommended option.  Try to use a small photo as it can’t be larger than 80x80 pixels.

3.      Fill out the Professional Summary part of your profile is another great way to showcase your experience. Choose the best Industry that fits your past work as recruiters use that field to search, and be sure to not forget to add a headline as that is at the top of the page.

4.      Add in important links to your profile as it provided additional information to possible employers, your contacts and recruiters.  These links can include relevant blogs and websites.

5.      List all keywords and skills that are on your resume into your LinkedIn profile.  Doing this will help the search results to find you easily.

Reference: http://chris.pirillo.com/top-reasons-to-use-linkedin/