Using LinkedIn right

Tips to use your LinkedIn account in the most effective manner for your job search.

LinkedIn Premium

Try and purchase the LinkedIn Premium package for a couple of months of your peak job-search and interviewing season. This gives you access to InMails features; learn about them and use them wisely. You can also see which job opening you can be a good fit for, based on your skills and experience.

Connecting with recruiters

When trying to connect with some recruiter or hiring manager, don't just send the connection request. Also, write a short and memorable message along with the connection request. Mention who you are, how you know them, and what you are looking for briefly.

When sending an InMail to a recruiter or hiring manager, consider it as a shorter version of a Cover Letter. Be sure to introduce yourself, how you got to learn about that person or opening, explain how you can be a good fit for that job, provide a few highlights of previous experience or project that stand out, a quick summary of skills, and conclude by how you can make an impact and a call to action. Again, use the max character limit of InMails as much as possible -- remember you are paying for these.

Job alerts

Create job alerts for the opening you are interested in, based on title, location, etc. When a new job opens up, try and apply as quickly as you can to be among the first applicants. This will improve your chances of getting noticed by the hiring manager. If the opening exposes the name of the hiring manager or job poster, you can send an InMail or Connection Request to them after applying and introduce yourself.

Commenting on recruiters' posts

Some recruiters or hiring managers create posts on LinkedIn about openings in their company or team. While these are not formal job openings, they still appear on your LinkedIn feed. They might ask you to comment on their post if interested. Don’t just comment “I am interested”; go ahead and also send a connection request or message them if already connected.

Connecting with alumni

If you are interested in interviewing with a company but the hiring managers are not responding to your connection requests or InMails, go to that company’s page on LinkedIn and search for “People” with filters like “School” where you indicate Northeastern. This way, you can see alumni working at that company and connect with them. You can ask them to introduce you to a recruiter or refer you for a job.