3 TWEAKS for Your LinkedIn Profile that are Sure to Please

1. Create A Winning Headline

Your headline, the first thing people see, is your most current job title by default. What a terrible use of prime property!

Instead, include a benefit statement of what you want to be found for. It can work wonders for recruiters and potential employers searching for you.

For example, rather than “CEO & Managing Director,” you could use “CEO & Managing Director – Building High Performing Sales Teams that Align With Corporate Values.”

Including keywords you want to be found for will help recruiters find you, and a meaningful headline like this will get you noticed. What a small, yet powerful change that is, isn’t it?

2. Prove Your Value With Recommendations

It’s great to say you have the skills and experience to get the job done. Support from other credible people backing that up is better.

Many people don’t take advantage of LinkedIn’s recommendations feature, yet this is one of the most important things you can do.

So, reach out to a few people in your network that you would love to get a recommendation from. Highlight a few key points you’d like them to touch on, and offer to write one for them as well.

It’s a win-win situation, and you’ll have solid proof that you’re as valuable as you say you are.

3. Use Keywords You Want To Be Found For

There are two reasons why this is super important:

First, recruiters search for employees by keyword. So, if you want to get found for new opportunities, then include the specific words you want to be found for throughout your profile.

Second, if you’ve applied for a job and the hiring team looks through your LinkedIn profile, they’ll see the keywords they’re looking for, which will significantly increase your chances of getting an interview.


Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/linkedin-tweaks-recruiters-begging/#CtYsLb40Qkv7XQ0m.99

How To Respond to "Do You Have any Questions for Me?"

1. Never say “no”!

You should always ask questions. Saying “No” or “You’ve already answered them” makes you look like you’re just going through the motions, unprepared, or uninterested. Show your potential employer some enthusiasm and ask at least two or three questions.

2. Make a list.

Come up with at least a dozen questions to ask. Some will undoubtedly be covered during the interview, so make sure you’ve got a few up your sleeve so you’re not caught off guard.

3. Think before you ask.

Don’t ask questions that are easily found on the company’s website. It tells an employer straight away that you didn’t do your research. You need to develop a list of questions that shows you’ve prepared, and really thought about the role.

You shouldn’t ask questions about salary, benefits, parking, social clubs, or sick leave. Your job is to impress the employer, not lead them to believe you are only concerned about the money or company’s social activities.

Never simply ask, “So, did I get the job?” It sounds arrogant and puts the interviewer on the spot. Use the opportunity to better sell yourself as the right candidate by asking thought-provoking, intelligent questions.

4. Ask probing questions.

Try to ask open-ended questions rather than those that require a “yes” or “no” response. “Can you tell me about…?” “How would you describe…?” You’ll learn more that way, you can probe further, and it makes the interview more conversational.

5. Job interviews are a two-way street.

Yes, the employer is trying to determine whether you’d be a good “fit” for their team, but at the same time you need to learn whether or not this company would be a good “fit” for you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions that will help you determine this. Employers are impressed by aspiring employees who take the time to probe the employer.

6. Timing is essential.

The best interviews are conversational so you may be able to ask some of the questions on your list during the interview itself. Just be sure you don’t interrupt the interviewer in your haste to ask. If you are nearing the end of the interview, you may not have time to ask all of your questions. Don’t worry; just select a couple and see where it takes you.


Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/responding-do-you-have-any-questions-for-me/#a6eEWgGzmGlaiIiF.99