Do you have a Linkedin profile? If the answer is yes – great! Go to the next question. If no, you should get a Linkedin profile. They offer a free package. Then come back and read this post.
Are you a person either in career transition (unemployed) or perhaps just interested in career opportunities? If yes, then read on. If no, don’t waste your time.
In my job as a cybersleuth (person that provides names to recruiters), I come across many people on Linkedin that are actually seeking an opportunity and literally are asking for help either in their “status update” or in the “current” portion of their profile. The say something like “actively seeking a new opportunity in……” Wow, that’s great, but they tend to neglect one little detail: contact information. In case you haven’t noticed there are 1000’s of people looking for jobs. Also, people, and recruiters and sourcers are people; tend to take the path of least resistance. So what does that mean? Well if I find someone that is “actively seeking a new opportunity in……” but they haven’t left a clue on how to contact them, I am probably not going to take the time to track them down. I will move on to the person who does leave contact information. If I am doing a search and find someone is “actively seeking a new opportunity in……” and they leave a phone number, I will either call or pass the number on to another recruiter. The person will get a call, and maybe an opportunity.
So here is a suggestion if you are not getting enough calls from recruiters, or potential employers. There is a place on your profile to put your phone number – use it. I know it is very basic, obvious and simple, but you would be surprised to know how many times I come across this situation on profiles from well educated people. If you are worried about your privacy, forget it. If you’re alive in the 21st century you can be found. Either way you have to weigh out your need for a great job, or any job vs. your concerns. To move your name to the front of the “call” list, leave a number where you can be reached. Give it a try. If you get too many calls you can always remove it.
Linkedin has various conditions about posting email addresses and phone numbers and I would never suggest anyone violate them, but there is a section on the profile where a phone number can posted, so why not make it easy for us to help you find your next position?
Click here for Part Two in this series.
This post written by John C. Burzynski aka cyBURsleuth
First off that depends on ones boss! Most bosses realistically expect their employees to leave, or at least be looking for a better job within the company. See my post “Think Brett Favre”. If a person is keeping their options open but doesn’t want to “advertise” all they have to do is have a good profile and leave a phone number. A good recruiter will take the bait. Also, if one is really looking, most good recruiters- corporate or third party will have contact info in their profile. Just do a an advanced search: key word: recruiter AND “whatever field one works”. One should find plenty!
Ah, but how does one search for opportunities when one’s current boss is a connection?