Tips for Improving Online Presence During Job Search

I was talking with a college-age friend of the family yesterday about the hiring process for graduates in finance in 2024. One thing that was immediately clear is that the traditional model of replying to job postings is laughable broken. Then again, it always has been. I once called a New York bank to verify that they had received my resume and the HR representative acidly replied, “Well, we got about 25,000 of them. What color paper was yours on, again?” That was in 1993. A 2019 CNBC article claimed that “70% of all jobs are not published publicly on jobs sites and as much as 80% of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections.” The best resources to any job search candidate are the social media platforms they are already using daily. The critical distinction is to understand the need to change from a passive consumer of content to an active participant in trending topics within your areas of interest and, whenever possible, relevant content creation. I know people who have gotten trading jobs because of their subject matter expertise on Twitter. I have personally gotten several professional opportunities at institutions who had seen one of my LinkedIn posts. The process is relatively straightforward: 1. Research the thought leaders in your area of interest and follow them. 2. Note who the thought leaders follow and engage with and follow them. 3. Start to respond to recent posts on areas where you have something relevant to contribute. An insightful early response to a post by an account with 200k followers may be seen by a few thousand people, some of whom will like your reply and follow your account. 4. Post and re-post interesting industry-relevant content with your thoughts attached. 5. Engage with anyone who comments on your posts, if they are contributing to productive discussion. 6. If you have original content, share it, but be prepared for opposing viewpoints and criticism. The goal is to slowly build up a productive online presence within your area of interest. It takes time, but leveraging a social network is one of the easiest ways a student or recent graduate can demonstrate to an audience of potential hiring managers subject-matter expertise and real interest in a career in finance.

As a technical recruiter, I come across hundreds of LinkedIn profiles, and I wanted to provide some tips on how to make yours stand out. Having an active LinkedIn presence is crucial for any job seeker or career professional. But it's not enough to just create a profile - you need to keep it updated, showcase your skills, expand your network, and participate actively. This increases your visibility and shows your dedication. In addition to being active, your profile itself needs to make a strong first impression. Treat your LinkedIn profile like your professional resume - it offers a snapshot of your best attributes. Here are some key areas to optimize: 📌 Headline - Summarize your current role and specialty using relevant keywords 📌 About section - Share an overview of your background, skills, and passions 📌 Experience - Detail your responsibilities and achievements for each position 📌 Skills - Include keywords recruiters search for 📌 Recommendations - Get colleagues to endorse your work 📌 Media - Spotlight projects, publications, certifications 📌 Network - Connect with professionals in your industry The more complete and compelling your profile, the more likely you are to be discovered and contacted by recruiters like me. The visual presentation also influences others' perception tremendously. I'm happy to provide more specific tips - feel free to connect with me here on LinkedIn as you update your own profile. Leveraging your personal brand effectively here can truly make a difference in advancing your career. #prosourceit #personalbrand #jobseekers #linkedinprofile

𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 LinkedIn? Let me share a 3-second story that might just change your mind. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩: I recently helped someone struggling with their job search revamp their LinkedIn profile based on a few strategic tips I shared. They took the advice to heart and implemented the changes. Fast forward 2 weeks and they’ve been contacted by 𝟕 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 and are currently navigating 𝟒 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬—all this after 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐎 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by LinkedIn or unsure if it’s worth the effort, here’s why you should reconsider: 🌟 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫: LinkedIn isn't just another social network; it's a critical tool in today's job market. Yes, it might seem daunting, especially when you're feeling frustrated with your job search, but a few tweaks can truly turn things around. 🛠️ 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: Start with a clear, professional photo. No need for a pricey photoshoot—you can take a great photo with your phone and fix it up with Canva. 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: This is prime real estate. Beyond your current role, highlight your unique skills and what you excel at. Make it compelling! 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Your chance to tell your story. What are your strengths? What drives you? Make it personal and engaging. Experience Section: Go beyond job descriptions. Focus on what you've achieved, how you've made a difference, and what sets you apart. 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Keep this updated and engage by endorsing others too, which often leads to reciprocation. 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: More than just your degrees, highlight how your education aligns with your career goals. 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: These are incredibly powerful. A good word from a peer or manager can make a huge impact. 🌱 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬: - Maintain a simple, clean layout for ease of reading. - Focus on aligning your achievements and skills with the roles you are targeting. - If you’re more reserved, engage with content through comments, collaborative articles, shares, or likes—it's networking that doesn’t feel like networking! 🔗 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞: - Taplio for smart profile insights. - Teal AI for hands-on optimization help. - HeadshotPro.io for top-notch headshots. - Canva for all your graphic needs. (You can use for headshot, LinkedIn banners, post creation, and more!) You've got this, and I’m here cheering you on! 🎉 #jobseeker #jobsearch #linkedin

Having walked together through the process of positioning ourselves - 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 in O&G for early career 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 roles. Now, let's look into unconventional strategies that will not only set us apart but also prove highly effective in securing these remote opportunities. Here's how you can make your application standout! ✅ 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐨: Instead of the traditional resume, consider creating an interactive portfolio. This could be a website or a document with hyperlinks to projects, achievements, or even a short video introduction. Make it memorable! ✅ 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: Accompany your application with a short cover video. Use this opportunity to showcase your personality, enthusiasm, and unique skills. It adds a personal touch that a written cover letter might not convey. ✅ 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚: Leverage platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter to highlight your expertise. Share insights about the industry, comment on relevant posts, and engage with professionals. Recruiters often check social profiles, and a strong online presence can make you stand out. ✅ 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠: Go beyond describing your skills; showcase them by solving a problem the company might be facing. Create a brief report or presentation demonstrating how you would approach a specific challenge in the role you're applying for. ✅ 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨-𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 & 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬: Equip yourself with specific skills related to the role through online courses or micro-credentials. Mention these in your application to show your commitment to ongoing learning. ✅ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫: If possible, try to connect with current or former employees of the company on LinkedIn. A short, polite message expressing your interest and asking for insights can sometimes lead to valuable information or even a referral. ✅ 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬: Propose a virtual coffee chat to discuss the industry, the company, or even the specific role. This informal conversation can help you build a connection with someone inside the organization and gain insights that go beyond what's on the job description. ✅ 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤: Offer your skills on a freelance basis or volunteer for a short-term project. This not only adds experience to your resume but also demonstrates your commitment and adaptability. Now, armed with these insights, take action. 🚀 Your future in the oil and gas industry awaits—seize it with confidence and ingenuity. If you found these tips valuable, consider sharing them with your network. Now, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What resonated with you, and how do you plan to integrate these strategies into your remote job search⁉️ Share your insights in the comments below, and let’s continue the conversation.

I landed my dream job without applying, or even looking! Here's how: Job hunting has completely transformed in today's market. ↳ Your online presence is the new Resume. ↳ Your LinkedIn profile is the new Cover Letter. ↳ Your projects and certifications are the new Curriculum Vitae. Optimize these to position yourself, so that the job finds you.. ...before you find it! Here's how YOU can position yourself: 1) Optimize your LinkedIn profile • Intentionally tailor your profile to ONE niche, example: Cloud, AI, etc. • Have a professional headshot; add accurate background logistical info. • Add supporting media to advocate for your background information. 2) Showcase your work • Use your 'Headline' space effectively to highlight roles you desire. • Add references to your GitHub, personal portfolio, personal blog. • Make sure they're easy to find with custom buttons on LinkedIn header. 3) Let your Industry Certifications advocate for you • Certifications boost your credibility in terms of skill, discipline and grit. • Highlight them in the LinkedIn header. For example: 4x AWS certified. • Insert verification credentials accurately in the 'Certification' section. 4) Double down on your uniqueness • In a market where tech skills are common, show your differentiated value. • Display academic achievements, personal projects, volunteering activities. • Get creative and double down on YOUR uniqueness and personality. 5) Join relevant communities to increase visibility • Find communities related to industries you want to get hired in. • Engage in discussions and add your unique perspectives. • Talk about your work in the field; you could catch the attention of that one recruiter/hiring manager that can change your life. 6) Important: Perfect your craft while positioning yourself • Hone your technical and communication skills to be interview ready. • Learn to articulate your responses in STAR + SOAR methods. • Ask meaningful questions during your interview. This one's a differentiator! 7) Stay positive and resilient • Getting an interview is Step 1, but cracking it is another story. • Learn the ART of interviewing - this takes practice, rejections, and research. • It's okay to get rejected, they bring you closer to the ONE YES you need. 💡 Pro Tip: Boost your credibility with free identity verification on LinkedIn. 💡💡Pro-Max Tip: Maintain a positive and professional demeanor ALWAYS! #Recruiters and #JobSearch experts - what additional advice would you add? #recruitment #jobhunting #opentowork #hiring #aws #amazon #job2024

Leveraging LinkedIn for a Successful Job Search!! In today's fast-paced job market, having a strong LinkedIn presence can be a game-changer for your career. Whether you're actively job hunting or just exploring new opportunities, here are some key tips to make the most of this powerful platform: Optimize Your Profile: Your LinkedIn profile is your digital resume. Make sure it's complete, professional, and up-to-date. Use a clear photo, a compelling headline, and a well-crafted summary to grab attention. Keywords are Key: Incorporate relevant keywords in your profile, especially in your headline and summary. This helps you appear in more search results when recruiters are looking for candidates with your skills. Network Strategically: Connect with professionals in your industry, colleagues, and alumni. Quality connections can lead to valuable opportunities, so don't just connect with anyone—build meaningful relationships. Engage Regularly: Share insightful content, comment on others' posts, and join industry-related groups. Being an active participant in your network can help you stay on the radar of potential employers. Highlight Achievements Use the "Experience" section to showcase your accomplishments and skills. Use metrics and achievements to demonstrate your value. Follow Companies: Keep tabs on the companies you're interested in. Many post job openings directly on LinkedIn, and it's a great way to stay informed about their latest news. Utilize Job Search Tools: LinkedIn offers a robust job search feature. Use filters to narrow down your search and set up job alerts to be among the first to know about new openings. Ask for Recommendations: Encourage colleagues and supervisors to write recommendations for you. These endorsements can boost your credibility. Learn with LinkedIn Learning: Take advantage of LinkedIn Learning courses to enhance your skills and stay competitive in your field. Be Patient and Persistent: The job search process can be challenging, but persistence pays off. Keep refining your profile, networking, and applying for positions. Remember, LinkedIn is more than just a digital resume—it's a dynamic platform for building and nurturing your professional network. When used strategically, it can open doors to exciting career opportunities. 🚪💼 What's your best LinkedIn tip for job seekers? Share it in the comments! Let's help each other succeed. 👇 #JobSearch #LinkedInSuccess #CareerAdvancement

Job search 5 years ago: Resume > Online brand (LinkedIn) Job search today: Online brand (LinkedIn) >>>>>> Resume Here's how you get with the times: 1. Optimize your LinkedIn profile -Ensure it aligns with your resume (correct dates, bullets, etc.) -Utilize your "About" section to expand on your professional summary on your resume, adding in some personalized snippets and adding in keywords/skills -Use your "Featured" section to highlight projects you played a role in. Think of this as your professional portfolio -Add up to 50 relevant skills for the positions you are applying for, highlight your top 3 on your profile, and ask for endorsements (return the favor!) -Ask for recommendations from 3-5 current/former colleagues 2. Build a personal brand -Most content creators on LinkedIn post at 7 AM EST/8 AM CST. Build your posting schedule around that time frame and comment/share other posts at that time. -Most content creators stick around their posts for the first hour to engage with their commenters/followers. -Start with smaller content creators. You'll get more responses, which will lead to more online/offline conversations -Unsure what to start posting? Think about things you are: passionate about, know more about than the avg. person, and personal experiences 3. Make an engagement plan -Post 3 to 5 times a week (do what is most comfortable to you) and engage with those who engage with you -Comment on 10 different posts a day (block out 20 minutes to do this) -Send messages to your biggest supporters thanking them for engaging and seeing if they'd like to do a 30-minute virtual chat -Continue to pour into others and provide value Your LinkedIn has so much more flexibility and space to articulate your value And it has the ability to show who you are personally Don't rely on a 1 or 2-page resume to be able to do the same Because it never will #jobsearch #jobsearchtips #linkedin #resume #resumes

7 things you should be doing on LinkedIn to support your job search - but you probably aren't! Let’s uncover seven critical but often overlooked LinkedIn job search strategies: 1️⃣ Visible Contact Information It always surprises me how many profiles lack easy-to-find contact details. Place your email and/or phone number prominently at the top of your profile in the “Contact info” section. This makes it easy for potential connections to reach out to you. 2️⃣ Optimize for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Your LinkedIn profile should be rich in relevant keywords to enhance your online visibility. These keywords are crucial for attracting the right recruiters and employers. Incorporate them throughout your profile, especially in areas like your headline and job titles. Think of your profile as your personal website! 3️⃣ Blend SEO with Personal Branding While keywords are essential, your profile should also reflect your unique personality and strengths. This balance ensures you stand out from others in your field. Your profile should not only be findable but also memorable. 4️⃣ Adjust Your Privacy Settings Regularly check your LinkedIn settings to ensure maximum visibility and privacy where needed. For instance, consider whether you want your profile viewing mode to be private or public based on your current job search activities. 👉 CAUTIONARY NOTE: I had a client who was frustrated with the engagement on her profile. Turns out she'd 'locked down' her profile 9 YEARS AGO ❗ 👈 5️⃣ Expand Your Network Aim to have 500+ connections. A broad network increases your visibility and likelihood of being noticed by the right people. Remember, the more connections you have, the higher your profile will rank in searches. 6️⃣ Regular Posts & Comments Sharing updates and engaging with others’ posts are great ways to maintain an active presence. Tag people, use hashtags, and include visuals in your updates. Also, make meaningful comments on others' posts to showcase your expertise and industry insights. 7️⃣ Leverage Recommendations & Endorsements Seek and give genuine recommendations as they add credibility to your profile and give insights into your professional relationships and accomplishments. A well-crafted recommendation can significantly enhance your personal brand. A strategic and well-rounded approach to your LinkedIn presence can be a game-changer. Let’s work together to make your LinkedIn profile an asset in your professional journey or DM me "OPENTOWORK" and I'll share free resources to support you in securing a new job. 🔽 🔽 🔽 👋 Hi, I'm Graham. Thanks for checking out my Post. Here is what you can do next 🔽 ➕ Follow me to see me in your feed 🔔 Hit the bell on my profile for Post notifications ♻ Inform others in your network via a Share or Repost 📅 Book an appointment to discuss your job situation. Please don't suffer in silence ❗ ________________________ #career #jobs #business #technology #finance 

Yes companies are hiring, but... Competition is high. So I asked some clients who landed jobs what worked. Here are 7 ways you can stand out from the crowd (from what they shared): 1/ Make an Entrance with Video - Record a Loom video to introduce yourself and your skills; share it with hiring managers, recruiters, people you're trying to network with. - Double down by sending a personalized video as a heartfelt ‘thank you’ post-interview. 2/ Share Your Voice - Utilize LinkedIn's audio messages to add a human touch to networking (Mobile-only, connections only). - Being underutilized, this can lead to surprisingly high response rates! 3/ Map Out Your Success - Draft a 30-60-90 day plan outlining your goals and strategies for the role. - Share during interviews to exhibit proactive thinking and engage in constructive dialogue. 4/ Be a Problem-Solver Extraordinaire - Identify an issue the company is tackling and craft an insightful proposal or visual presentation. - Example: Company expanding into new markets? Share strategies for capturing market share. 5/ Pen Your Way to Success - Compose an article or blog post showcasing your expertise and share it on LinkedIn or Medium. - Not an expert? No problem. Share well-researched insights on trending topics and add your own take. 6/ Become the Host with the Most - Organize webinars or podcasts discussing industry trends or challenges. - Network by inviting industry guests - it’s a win-win for building relationships. 7/ Brand Yourself Like a Pro - Share valuable content regularly and establish your presence on LinkedIn. - Dedicate 30 minutes to an hour daily to engage with your network and connect with industry professionals. -- p.s. - like and repost if you think this could help someone in your network ♻ #jobsearch #jobinterviews #networking

Whether you're looking for a new position or not, it's never a bad idea to make yourself more marketable. What do I mean by that? Like it or not, social media is where it's at. Everyday I search for passive candidates within a specific set of parameters through online searches. Recruiters utilize databases that scrub a variety of platforms online to find people that fit the bill for a particular position. Whether you are looking for a new job or not, it's never a bad thing to have people like me reaching out to you with new opportunities. My best new paths found me when I wasn't looking, so keep an open mind. So what does this look like? ✅ LinkedIn is your virtual resume. Include a few sentences or bullet points highlighting the specifics of what you do and the difference you've made in your current and past positions. Recruiters search for certain keywords and this will make you more likely to pop up in searches. Be specific! Think things like: "construction", "professional liability", "large accounts" etc. ✅ Add a photo on your LinkedIn profile. It doesn't have to be professionally taken, but just something that shows a positive, put together person that someone would want to have a conversation with! A smile goes a long way. 😁 ✅ Keep private stuff private. Avoid religion, politics, and other controversial/overly personal topics on platforms like LinkedIn. When it comes to your Facebook, Instagram, etc - I suggest keeping the privacy setting to "friends only" for photos or posts that you wouldn't want an employer to see. ✅ Virtual networking. This one is big. Connect with people in your industry/niche on LinkedIn and engage with their content. I can't tell you how many times I've connected with someone who I think is great but don't have a position for at the moment. But 6 months later, a recruiter contact of mine, or perhaps a friend at a company is looking for someone with that specific skill set - I connect them and BOOM. It's a great new career path for that person. You might not be looking for a new position today but situations can change quickly. Having your network built out and ready to pivot if need be can mean the difference between having opportunities quickly in the pipeline versus having that "Open to work" banner hanging out there for a year. And remember, having new opportunities come your way is never a bad thing! The best time for a new job find you is sometimes when you already have one. 😉 #recruiterlife #insurance #insurancecareer #opportunities #newjob #networking #linkedin #resume #cpcu #cic #cisr #underwriter #accountmanager #commerciallines