Update Your LinkedIn Profile
To obtain the maximum benefit from your LinkedIn account, verify that all of the information contained therein is correct and up-to-date.
- Add a summary section that provides information regarding your professional experience and interests.
- Update or add a headshot to your profile. The photo can be an informal photo taken with a cell phone but should be in the style of a traditional headshot, with an appropriate background and business attire.
- Update the experience section, and make sure that all titles and dates are accurate. Add your current employer if they are not already listed. You should add substance to each relevant position by adding a summary of your responsibilities. This can be copied and pasted from your resume.
- Update the education section, by ensuring all of your degrees are included. Add your GPA if it is 3.2 or higher.
- Update/add professional licenses & certifications, if applicable.
- Update/add professional organization affiliations, if applicable, and include any positions you’ve held at those organizations.
- Ask for recommendations from others who have worked with you. These should be professional in nature.
Connections
Connect with everyone you know, including friends and family members. The larger your network, the better! In the “my network” section, LinkedIn will suggest people you may know. Review and connect with anyone you have interacted with, which can include people you’ve met at networking events, conferences, or professional association meetings. The purpose of the platform is for you to network with others. Don’t be shy!
LinkedIn’s “Open to” Option
From your profile page, click the button labeled “Open to” and then click “finding a new job.” You’ll then see a form that LinkedIn has pre-filled with information from your profile. Make the necessary adjustments so that it is accurate for your current job search. The bottom of the form provides two options:
- Recruiters only
- All LinkedIn members
“Recruiters only” limits the people who can view this information to those paying for their recruiter service. As long as your profile has your current company listed correctly, they will take steps not to share the information with talent management/HR at your current employer. However, if your profile still shows an old employer and not your current one, it will not share the information with your prior employer so you need to be sure your profile is up-to-date. While they cannot guarantee complete privacy, I’ve never heard of an employer learning an employee was looking for another position via this option (assuming the employee had an up-to-date profile).
“All LinkedIn members” is open to be viewed by anyone and will add the “#OpenToWork” photo frame to your profile photo. This is recommended when you do not have concerns about a current employer learning of your search. When possible, the broader the audience the better when you are searching for a new position.
Create a Post
If you are open to everyone knowing about your job search, create a post to let others know you are looking, what you are looking for, and the experience you will bring to the table in a short concise post. Here are some examples:
After two years at an incredible firm, working with amazing people, I find myself #opentowork as a result of a reduction in force. A few fast facts about me:
🔘 Four years of experience as a commercial real estate attorney
🔘 Admitted in CT and NY
🔘 Graduated in the top 10% of my law school class
🔘 Former Federal Judicial Law Clerk 2020-2021
🔘 Law Review
If you know me, I’m asking for endorsements and referrals to companies and law firms who need a commercial real estate attorney on their roster. If you don’t know me and would like to learn more about my qualifications and expertise, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Let’s connect and explore how I can help your company, law firm, or startup! #commercialrealestate #lawyer #attorney #associate #jobseeker #legaljobs
***
Hello everyone! I am in the market for a new position, and looking for a litigation paralegal role, preferably working on business litigation matters (e.g., breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, shareholder disputes, etc.) in Connecticut or New York.
I have an ABA-Approved bachelor’s degree in legal studies, and five years of experience working as commercial litigation paralegal at an Am Law 200 firm, where I handled matters from the inception of the lawsuit to trial/settlement, including extensive electronic filing experience, and experience with eDiscovery databases, and trial management software. Familiar with state and federal court practice in CT and NY, and the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.
If you or anyone you know is looking for someone with my experience, please message me or email me at yourname@gmail.com. Please feel free to share this with everyone in your network. I am available to work immediately. #opentowork #litigationparalegal #paralegal #jobseeker #legaljobs
The goal is to find a new position, so it’s best not to include requests specific to remote work unless that is the only type of employment you will accept. References to salaries, benefits, other perks or working conditions are best explored during the interview process so including them will likely reduce the number of people who will respond to your outreach. It is best to keep it focused on the value you bring and the type of work you are looking for.
Comment on “We’re Hiring” Posts
If you see a post about a position you are interested in, and you are openly in the market, make a comment and apply! The comment can be as simple as: “This is a great match with my expertise! I’ve applied and hope I have the opportunity to meet you.”