LinkedIn Tips and Tricks: Impact of Recommendations on Job Searching
Most professionals these days are on LinkedIn. The networking site can be a great place to connect with new business contacts and get reacquainted with those from the past that you’ve lost touch with.
For job seekers, LinkedIn is the place to see and be seen. The site provides the opportunity to put your relevant career skills on display, showcase your work history, join groups to network with like-minded professionals, and of course, get recommendations from others to make your profile stand out.
Learn More: How to Make Connections on LinkedIn With Potential Employers
When it comes to LinkedIn recommendations, many people wonder if there’s an actual value to acquiring them. Do they help you get the job or actually hinder your chances of success? There’s often confusion regarding the rules, as they can be a bit unclear.
How to Make LinkedIn Recommendations Work for You
All LinkedIn recommendations are not created equally. Follow these three tips to get the ones that may help your case ─ not ruin your chances:
- Seek Specific Examples: Fluffy recommendations centered on what a joy you were to work with are nice, but in reality, they won’t get you too far. Recruiters don’t know you, so they want to read examples of your accomplishments, to see if you’re someone who can add value to their team. For example, a former manager’s recommendation stating that she was able to achieve sales of 30 percent above target each month would be considered a strong endorsement.
- Aim for Quality, Not Quantity: When it comes to recommendations, you may believe the more, the better, but that’s not necessarily the case. If you have an excessive number of recommendations, say 50, for examples, recruiters may view them as insincere. Additionally, it will be difficult for them to sort through all the fluffy ones to find those that truly provide great examples of your work. Remember, less is more. Instead of asking everyone you’ve worked with for a recommendation, focus on only those who have worked closely with you.
- Diversify Your References: Recruiters want to know that you’re a strong, well-rounded candidate. Gathering recommendations from people you’ve worked with at all levels is a great way to prove this point. So instead of simply focusing on recommendations from your former managers and other senior level employees, also ask colleagues and subordinates to recommend you.
When properly executed, a strong set of LinkedIn recommendations can only help your chances of getting that new job you’ve been looking to find. While this won’t be the only criteria on which you’re evaluated, recommendations can give you a competitive advantage and help you to stand out from the crowd.
If you’re looking for assistance in finding your next career, contact Sparks Group. We’ll help you find rewarding opportunities that make you excited to go to work each day.
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