Why should you use LinkedIn for your job search?

As a professional or student, it's a popular place to network and look for job opportunities. The problem is that if you're only updating your profile occasionally, you're not taking full advantage of all the opportunities LinkedIn gives you, including hours off from your job search. Here are some tactical tips on how you can make the most of LinkedIn to expand your professional network and find your next great job.

Tips:

1. keep your profile up to date.

LinkedIn members with a profile photo are 14 times more likely to get views, while those who post skills are 13 times more likely to get profile views compared to those who don't, according to the LinkedIn blog. There are more than 45,000 skills to choose from on LinkedIn to boost your profile, so if you want to get noticed, make sure you update your profile regularly.

2. be comprehensive about current skills and goals.

To make sure you're using LinkedIn to find a job properly, don't leave out anything about your current skills and goals. Use your headline to share your main goal and add all your skills to your profile. You don't want it to look like you haven't updated your profile in a while, as recruiters and companies may pass you by.

3. highlight the last experience.

You want your recent experience to be visible to anyone browsing your site, especially when you are actively engaging with contacts and companies to land a job.

4. update your header.

Your photo, name and headline (which is underneath the photo) are the only elements that people see when they search. Your headline should stand out and emphasize what you do for a living or what type of position you are looking for.

5. let people know you are available.

If you can announce the fact that you are looking for a job, do it. Use your headline to make the announcement. For example, "Lead Generation specialist looking for a company to make money for."

6. build your network to 1st degree.

Your connections can exponentially increase your exposure and access to other connections. LinkedIn makes it easy to connect with people you know by importing contact lists from services like Gmail.

7. research the companies you are interested in and follow them.

LinkedIn makes it easy when job hunting to find and follow companies. If you haven't already done so, make a list of companies you'd like to work for and follow them on LinkedIn. This will keep you up to date on company news and new positions that become available.

8. use the advanced search.

Use LinkedIn's advanced search option and conduct a search on your favorite companies. Find out who among your friends is connected to the company you want to work for, for example, and make a list. You can reach these people according to their connection to the company. If they work there, you can ask questions about the company's culture. If they are customers or service providers, you can ask what it's like to do business with them. Be creative and have fun doing your research so that you can, as best you can, approach the company for a job when you are ready.

9. Look for alumni associated with your college or university.

Doing a search for your university is a great way to connect with alumni who went to the same school as you. You can reach out to them and share that common interest.

10. be more than an observer.

Be active on LinkedIn, authentic and up-to-date. Post any articles you write, videos you post and so on as updates. Engage in groups and interact with others on LinkedIn. The more you interact and post as a professional, the more you will be noticed and gain recognition.

11. get involved in LinkedIn professional groups.

Perform an advanced search to identify professional groups in your area and engage with them. This will expand your network of contacts, demonstrate your expertise (when you engage in online conversations and answer questions that come up) and perhaps connect you with organizations where you want to work in the future. When researching groups, you want to participate in groups that are recently active. Otherwise, you may waste your time if the group does not have daily or regular online interaction.

12. research your future boss and executive team.

Before an interview, you can use LinkedIn to research hiring managers and interviewers to learn about their likes, interests and more. You can use this information during the interview to create relatability and show that you've done your homework.

With these tips, it will be much easier for you to find your dream job through LinkedIn!