Ignite’s five great tips for networking on LinkedIn

Since the beginning of the digital age, the art of networking has rapidly evolved. No longer are we forced to throw on lippy, rush to corporate drinks and summon the courage to interrupt a group of executives so we can awkwardly introduce ourselves. The good news? You can now network in your PJs with vegemite all over your face. The bad news? To be a successful networker, you must be more active than ever before.

To be discovered by recruiters and employers alike, you must make your presence known. And social media is key. So, wipe off that lippy, chuck on you PJs and grab a cuppa as we provide five great tips for networking on LinkedIn.

Post your heart out
Think of your LinkedIn profile as a muscle. The more you work it, the bigger it will grow. Try to post as frequently as you can but always be sure to post things people will want to see. Read an interesting article? Share it and include a caption with your thoughts. Recently attended a great conference? Share photos, stand-out speaker quotes or your top ten takes from the event. Perhaps you have a hobby you’re passionate about? Share news and updates about it. Or perhaps you’re an expert at something? Write an advice article and share it on your profile. You’ll find the options are endless!

Sell yourself culturally
One of the best things about networking on social media is that like attracts like. ‘As an EA, you could end up in a whole range of industries. Cultural fit is a major factor when it comes to deciding on the best candidate for a job,’ explains Laila Billberg, Business Development Manager at Ignite.

So, stay true to your passions and interests. Post, engage and share content about industries that speak to you personally and you will ensure you attract people with similar interests.

‘What naturally occurs from this,’ says Laila, ‘Is that you sell yourself culturally.’ In other words, recruiters who are looking for the right culturally suited candidate for a specific organisation are much more likely to stumble upon your profile. This creates a win-win scenario. You get the job that is perfect for you and they get a candidate who is perfect for them.

Put your interview hat on
Though possibly the most formal of all the channels, LinkedIn is still social media. So, you can be casual and feel free to express your opinions. ‘But tread carefully,’ warns Laila. ‘Remember that whatever you write on LinkedIn could be seen by a potential employer.’ Try not to say anything you wouldn't say in an interview. While you’re at it, you might want to make sure all of your public social media channels are similarly vetted. These days, most recruiters scan a candidate’s social media channels before they request a first interview. For more on how to be persuasive, see these six psychological hacks to make people like you more – so you can nail that job interview

Connect
Build a tribe on LinkedIn by reaching out to those whose experiences, industry and interests are similar to your own. When it comes to adding new connections, exercise caution. People don't respond well to sales pitches or blind requests that don’t include an introduction. The best way to connect is to include a short introduction of yourself as well as a brief note regarding what you like about their profile or why you think the two of you would make a good connection. LinkedIn groups are also a great way to connect with like-minded individuals. ‘Now you have a network, engage, engage, engage!’ says Laila. Like, share, comment, message. You can tag those in your network in a post you think they’re interested in. Or post a question that you know will generate a debate.

Hashtags
The purpose of a hashtag is to make your content more discoverable. It also ensures you connect with members who have similar interests. For example, if you’re sharing a post on poodle grooming and you include #poodlegrooming, then anyone wanting to know the latest news on how to groom their poodle will be able to find your post. Who knows, maybe a group of you will start a poodle grooming business together!

Our top three hashtag tips:

• Don't overdo it. Include a maximum of five hashtag per post

• Use LinkedIn’s suggested hashtags

• Follow other hashtags for inspiration.

So there you have it LinkedIners. Networking on LinkedIn really is that easy. Time to grab your computer, a coffee and some vegemite on toast and get networking!