LinkedIn has enormous potential for recruiters. Regarding the huge number of professionals with a LinkedIn profile, it is however necessary to know search among them properly. The ere.net website for recruiters therefore came up with the following recommendations.
1. Pay for the access for recruiters
With the paid access you will be able to send messages to anyone through LinkedIn, not just to your contacts. You will also get more features for managing candidates.
2. Start searching among users
Use the Advanced Search function. Start by setting a title, location and industry. Leave other criteria unfilled.
3. Screen the list of the profiles found
Pay attention to warning signs such as missing photos, missing lists of employers, lack of contacts or vague job titles.
4. Spend 10 to 20 seconds on the chosen profiles
Incomplete and unprofessional profiles are not worth your time. Nonprofessional photos, for example, speak for themselves.
5. Concentrate on important criteria
Compare education, experience and positions of the candidates with the requirements of the position you want to fill. Observe the groups your candidates participate in and how they behave in the groups.
6. Pay attention to recommendations
Search for candidates with specific recommendations from their former and current colleagues.
7. Proceed down
Read the interesting candidates' profiles in detail. Start with the Summary and work history. Pay attention to any longer period between jobs.
8. Verify contact information
In the lower part of the profiles, make sure that the selected candidates are interested in contacting with offers for new job opportunities and that they left their contact information.
9. Repeat the search
If you do not find suitable candidates using the above steps, repeat the process after changing industry and title.
10. Search among companies
If other attempts fail, try searching among companies. Start with companies about which you know or can assume that the people you are looking for worked or are working for.
11. Consider professional help
If you still do not know how to use LinkedIn as efficiently as possible, find a training or a consulting company that will help you.
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