Top 10 Career Transition Questions: #3 Is being on LinkedIn an imperative?

Blog post by Career Transition Coach, Mary Schaefer

This blog is part of a series addressing some of the most compelling questions for those that are beginning a career search. During the last 6 years, we have been asked hundreds of questions related to career transition and best practices. Here we are distilling those queries down to the 10 most critical need to know responses. Here is #3 of 10, discussing the virtual networking and using social media in your career search.

How strong is my social media presence on virtual networking groups like LinkedIn and do I have a plan for how to use these tools to support my search?

It’s a new world for some of us when it comes to having an online presence. There is boundless content out there to help guide you to create a strong LinkedIn profile, for instance. Why do you need this at all? If you are a job seeker, 77% of all job openings are posted on LinkedIn and 48% of recruiters post jobs solely on LinkedIn, according to information gathered by Masters-in-Human-Resources.org.

 
For those in career management mode, you can use LinkedIn as a more formal means to compile your accomplishments, training and certifications. No matter whether you are transitioning in your career or managing it, LinkedIn is essential to gather contacts, including those you know, and those for which you could have a mutually beneficial acquaintanceship.

There are many social media outlets. According to social branding consultant, William Arruda, LinkedIn is quickly becoming a hub of professional communications, and it’s the accepted social media resource for serious business. When potential employers, prospective clients or new business collaborators go to look for you you want to be on LinkedIn with a robust presence.