LinkedIn, one of the top networking tools, can help job seekers find jobs, employers find potential employees and position others as a resource in their field of expertise.
Small business owners, job seekers, students and employers all can benefit from joining and connecting with a network of professionals.
Employers can advertise positions their company wants to fill and use a filter to find potential candidates. Job seekers can find out about job opportunities and research the companies that are hiring. They can let recruiters and their connections know they’re looking for job opportunities.
LinkedIn enables people to showcase their skillsets and knowledge in their field while building credibility so they become known as a resource in their area of expertise. Someone might contact them with a question, or their visibility could generate a job opportunity.
LinkedIn is a great tool for detailing skills, experience, job history and education similar to a resume. But this platform does more. It enables people to post documents and videos they’ve created to show potential employers what they’re capable of accomplishing.
Anyone who has a company should be on LinkedIn, a global platform with 810 million members. It’s a vast professional database that serves as a great resource tool, a great marketing tool and a great way to network.
Those who are working and those who aren’t can both find LinkedIn valuable. The platform offers workshops, classes and the opportunity to brush up on your skills.
I have an individual page and pages for each of my businesses on LinkedIn.
The key to using LinkedIn is to be discovered by potential employers or clients. It’s important to post and join conversations to stay relevant. The more active you are on the platform, the more visible you are. If you aren’t active, you’ll fall to the bottom of someone’s feed and become difficult to find.
LinkedIn members can access companies and groups in or outside their industry. The platform has a free service and a paid Premium subscription, which gives members additional access to its products and search features. I recommend the free service until you need the Premium, for example, for a deeper dive to find out who is looking at your profile or what school someone attended. The paid version provides recruiters with the ability to find out more information about potential job candidates.
Twitter and Instagram are other platforms used by businesses and individuals to attract attention. Facebook has lost momentum in the professional arena because younger generations are using the platform TikTok instead.
LinkedIn can give individuals and companies a lot of visibility. It isn’t for everyone, though. Crafters, for example, likely would prefer Instagram to showcase their creations.
Assess what it is you’re trying to achieve and who comprises your target audience. Entrepreneurs should regularly evaluate what is and isn’t working for them.
If you need advice on how to use LinkedIn to build visibility and credibility for your business or find potential employees, contact me at melody@melodybeachconsulting.com.
Despite slowdown, companies still hiring
Companies are still hiring, though there is a slight slowdown in the economy. Experts disagree on whether the U.S. is facing a recession, but some economic indicators are causing concern. Employers need to be prepared.
Despite a high inflation rate, the labor market remains strong. The economy added 315,000 jobs in August – representing 20 months of strong job growth – and unemployment rose slightly from 3.5 percent to 3.7 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Independent contractors can save you money
Hiring independent contractors rather than full-time employees can save some employers money. You don’t have to pay for overhead or benefits, yet you can have an expert in the field to call on for advice and have peace of mind.
Independent contractors and consultants bring to a company knowledge, experience, best practices and ways to achieve success in a specific area of business.
50+ Job Seekers workshops
The 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group’s workshops are free and virtual on Zoom.
Upcoming workshops are:
- Thursday, Oct. 13, 11 a.m. to noon, Savvy Seeker Series: “OPTAVIA Opportunities” with Michelle Labbe, owner of Your Pathway to Health, a professional coaching practice in the health and wellness industry, and an Independent Certified Coach with OPTAVIA.
Learn about the health benefits of the OPTAVIA program and the opportunities involved in being an independent coach for OPTAVIA.
- Monday, Oct. 17, 10 to 11:30 a.m.: Interview Practice with Ed Lawrence, a career coach.
Good or bad, first impressions matter. It takes practice to put your best foot forward in an interview.
- Do you have an interview coming up?
- Do you know how to respond to behavioral questions?
- Do you need suggestions on how to address gaps in employment?
Join the discussion to learn how to respond to questions that may be asked during an interview.
- Thursday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. to noon: “Finding and Tapping the Hidden Job Market,” with Nancy Collamer, a career coach and author of “Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit from Your Passions During Semi-Retirement.”
Collamer writes for NextAvenue.org (PBS) and Forbes and has been featured in other media outlets, including the NBC Nightly News and The New York Times.
Only 15 to 20 percent of jobs are posted publicly, which means the rest are filled in other ways. This webinar will help you connect with jobs that aren’t posted. Become informed and smart about your job search strategy.
The webinar is offered by Encore Boston Network and sponsored by 50+ Job Seekers in Massachusetts. Register with Encore Boston Network at .
- Thursday, Oct. 20, 3 to 4:30 p.m.: “Conducting Your Research,” a special event with Denise Bitler, who has more than 30 years of experience in HR, specifically in benefits.
Job seekers should customize their resumes and cover letters for each job they apply to and prepare for each interview. Applicants must research the role, the company, the company’s products or services, its website, financials and competitors. This workshop will inform participants on how to conduct the research and obtain the information.
- Tuesday, Oct. 25, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: “How to Judge a Resume,” an interactive workshop with Ed Lawrence, a resume writer who judges submissions for a major resume writer organization.
Lawrence will present a different approach to improving your resume. He will teach participants how to judge a resume:
- What it means to judge a resume.
- Why it is so hard to judge your own resume.
- How to recognize a “good” resume.
- How the professional resume writer associations judge a resume.
Other places have been teaching how to write a resume, but the approach doesn’t work. They may have a specific format or recommend templates that won’t get past applicant tracking systems. Try a new approach to improve your resume.
- Wednesday, Oct. 26, 10 to 11 a.m.: “The Hybrid World of Franchises,” with Dana Hall, a franchise consultant for Frannet, a franchise broker.
Franchises offer a hybrid form of entrepreneurship. You run the business and pay the franchisor out of your earnings while receiving ongoing support. Participants will learn whether this business model is the right option for them.
The webinar is offered by Encore Boston Network and sponsored by 50+ Job Seekers in Massachusetts. Register with Encore Boston Network at .
- Wednesday, Oct. 26, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Savvy Seeker Series: “What Do I Do with My Old 401(k),” with Phil Kasden and Cherilyn Lawrence.
Kasden and Lawrence will present an informational seminar on different retirement plans and your options for managing them. Learn how a few simple steps can make it easier to monitor and meet retirement goals.
Kasden is a licensed, registered representative at the Boston General Office of New York Life in Waltham.
Lawrence is a licensed agent and financial services representative at New York Life.
Reserving a spot for an event offered by 50+ Job Seekers of Massachusetts will be done through your online registration/login account at https://50plusjobseekers.org/login/. If you haven’t registered, you will be asked to complete the registration form. If you have questions about the process, contact 50plusjobseekersadmin@mcoaonline.com.
The virtual doors open 15 minutes before each program starts.
Need information?
You can contact me by downloading my digital business card by texting HRPRO to 21000 or emailing me at melody@melodybeachconsulting.com.
