How to use LinkedIn more effectively to help you get your next job

How to use LinkedIn

If you’re in the market for a job, the world’s largest professional networking site is the place to be. Here are six ways to maximise your chances of success

Do you remember the days when employers advertised job vacancies and people applied? Well, they’re not quite a thing of the past, but the dominance and speedy interactions facilitated by social media have certainly changed the jobs market.

Now, recruiters will most likely have a network of eager candidates at their fingertips the minute a vacancy goes live. The smart ones utilise those networks to match people with opportunities, thereby ensuring a perfect marriage between employer and employee in no time at all.

...if you’re on the lookout for the next exciting opportunity, you need to get online.  

All of this means that, if you’re on the lookout for the next exciting opportunity, you need to get online. And if you want to stand any chance of being spotted, LinkedIn is undoubtedly the place to start building your professional profile. Here are six tips to help you make an impact.

1. Be smart, be professional

The first thing to understand about LinkedIn is that it isn’t Facebook. In other words, this isn’t a place to post pictures of your breakfast or your mashed-up weekend down the pub.

Treat it like a shop window to your professional life. Only project the sort of image you would want to be associated within the workplace. Smart suits and a well-groomed appearance work. Ripped jeans and photographs of your half-naked mates don’t.

2. Add content. Then add some more

Like any online platform, content is king on LinkedIn. The more detail you can add to your profile, the better. That’s because it gives internet search engines plenty to pore over as they search for relevant information, maximising the chances of you scoring well in their results.

Don’t be tempted to add rubbish, though. Your content needs to be sharp, informative, well-written and (here’s that word again) professional. This is about more than posting a glorified CV. You should give a persuasive account of your skills, aptitudes and ambitions. Make people realise your quality, and they won’t be able to resist getting in touch.

How to use LinkedIn3. Summarise succinctly

While it’s important to give as much detail as possible about yourself, it is also crucial to signpost headline information that can be read at a glance.

Use the summary functions on your LinkedIn profile wisely, by writing a witty account of who you are and what you do that stands out from the crowd. Then, if a busy reader happens upon your profile, you’re more likely to catch their attention.

4. Show your depth of character

No one wants to employ an automaton. You may be the world’s best procurement manager, but employers are increasingly looking for a full suite of soft skills to complement raw technical ability.

Use your profile to show something of your interests and passions. Don’t rant endlessly about your fears for global peace (you can use Facebook for that, if you must). But do say if you enjoy political campaigning, or have served as a Brownie leader, or sit on your local school’s governing body.

Not only does that show you to be a person of depth. It will also help smart employers identify where your skills can be used to strengthen their team.

5. Be friendly, make connections

The whole point of social networking is to network, right? If someone takes a look at your profile, take a look at theirs, too. Maybe even invite them to connect, with a friendly message saying that you noticed their interest in you and wondered if they’d like to become a contact.

Worst case scenario, you get ignored from time to time. Best case scenario, you make a connection with a new person, who has the capacity to unlock your future career prospects.

6. Show your expertise

Most LinkedIn users have the ability to add extended, blog-like, posts to their profile. These are a great way to demonstrate your industry expertise and business nous.

Spend some time constructing well-considered, well-argued posts that position you as a thought leader in your field. People will read them, and will have you in mind as someone who knows their stuff. When the time comes to recruit a new member of staff, this will give you an automatic head start in the race to be appointed.

 

Joining a top recruitment agency is also a great way to find your ideal role. Our consultants are more than happy to help and advise you. Just follow the link to let us know your contact details:
https://bit.ly/pre-registering-with-just-recruitment
Or call 01376 517079.

 

Published: 21 February 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

Head of Business Development
Sector: Sales
Salary: Competitive
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913631
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with an innovative company to recruit a Head of Business Development for their team on the outskirts of Colchester.

This is an exciting role to help shape the future of the business by getting involved as the business advances on a growth strategy. You will need to be a team player as well as be self-motivated, striving for improvements across the business. You will also be highly organised and capable of managing a dynamic workload whilst relishing working with internal and external stakeholders.

Key duties include:

  • Managing the existing global distributor network across North America, Japan, and Europe, including strategy development, regular reviews, and general support.
  • Developing new direct business with various associated organisations.
  • Developing new direct B2B opportunities for ‘bricks & mortar’ retail sales and distribution in the UK and other regions.
  • Developing a strategy to access the ‘other’ markets.
  • Responding to regular inbound business enquiries.
  • Monitoring and responding to complex RFI’s, RFQ’s and other tender opportunities.
  • Managing the company’s CRM platform.
  • Working closely with the Head of Marketing to develop imaginative lead generation campaigns.
  • Working closely with the Head of Marketing to support the global e-com strategy.

Key requirements for the role include:

  • A good understanding and experience of global account and channel management.
  • Experience in responding to complex RFP’s.
  • A good understanding of the role of global e-com, particularly Amazon and Shopify.
  • An experienced, strategic and creative new business developer.
  • Solid global experience.
  • Flexibility to work to global time zones.
  • Financially numerate.
  • Experience with Hubspot or a similar CRM platform.
  • Ability to work as part of a small management team to drive the business forward.
  • Ability to quickly understand and demonstrate technical products.
  • Excellent interpersonal and written skills.
  • Tenacious, persistent and hardworking.
  • Team player.
  • Ability to work under demanding deadlines.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm - with some flexibility required.

22 days holiday plus bank holidays.

This role offers a competitive salary and bonus package.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Area Sales Manager (East Anglia)
Sector: Sales
Salary: Competitive
Location: Halstead
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913629
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a well-established, market-leading company in the garden supplies industry to recruit an Area Sales Manager for the East Anglia region, joining their successful sales team.

As an Area Sales Manager, you'll play a key role in driving both new and existing business, working closely with the business support team, driving new business generation, whilst developing the existing customer base. With a focus on field sales and client relationships, you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact.

You will have strong prior sales experience, preferably in an external capacity, as well as, have strong communication skills, attention to detail and integrity.

Key experience:

  • Working with your internal colleagues, you will require excellent communication and teamwork skills.
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  • Brand Development and Elevation - methods and techniques.
  • Developing/maintaining a strong knowledge of the full product range.
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  • Ability to work in a team and to reach out to prospective and current customers.
  • Working to set Sales and Gross Profit forecasts.
  • Working with and updating the bespoke CRM system to follow up on all leads, enquiries/quotes.
  • Providing a consultative approach with customers, creating effective solutions to meet their needs.
  • Having the ability to multitask and manage ongoing projects is a must.

This is a unique opportunity to join a well-established local brand, and you'll join the business during an exciting period of growth. This role boasts a competitive salary, pension scheme and company vehicle or car allowance, laptop, mobile phone and all the tools you need to be successful. You’ll also be provided with a comprehensive training and induction process.

Please note the role is home based — with 4 days on the road, covering East Anglia with 1 day working from home. You will need to be able to stay away from home, attend trade fairs and quarterly company sales meetings.

This role offers a competitive package, including basic, achievable commission and bonus structure — company vehicle for the first 6 months, followed by a car allowance, laptop, mobile phone, iPad and all the support you could possibly need to be successful.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Commercial Manager
Sector: Purchasing and Merchandising
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Colchester, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913628
About the role

Just Recruitment has a fantastic opportunity for a bright and ambitious Commercial Manager to join an exciting company based in Colchester as it rapidly expands nationwide.

You will be working as part of its supplier negotiation team.

Duties will include:

  • Negotiating purchasing agreements to ensure the best deal for the business.
  • Delivering support to both managers and estimators in their pricing and queries.
  • Providing a point of contact for the suppliers to help deliver its message to the staff and customers.
  • Attending events, shows and exhibitions to network and identify further possibilities for a better deal.
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  • Identifying new product ranges and suppliers that will provide future proofing for the years to come.
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Key desirable personality traits for this role include a strong numerical aptitude and an enthusiastic, dynamic, 'can-do' attitude.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Installation Coordinator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Salary: £25,000 per annum
Location: Witham
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913627
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a well-established and successful business in Witham to recruit an Installation Coordinator to join their long-standing team.

For this role, you will be able to demonstrate a genuine desire to provide strong and consistent customer satisfaction and provide administrative support to all departments within the business. You will become part of the company’s friendly, dynamic team and help set it apart from the competition by providing telephone and administration support to a high standard.

Responsibilities include:

  • Speaking with customers regarding enquiries.
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  • Understanding the customers’ demands and needs and providing solutions to meet those demands and needs.
  • Providing administration support to the Service and Installations departments.

You should have proven experience and capability in the following areas:

  • Experience working in a customer service environment.
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  • Computer literate.
  • Great verbal and written communication skills.
  • Good attention to detail.
  • Must be organised to perform multiple tasks calmly and efficiently under pressure.
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Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.00pm.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Field Service Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Competitive
Location: South West
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913626
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing business, at the forefront of their sector, looking to add a Field Service Engineer to their team — covering the South West — including Somerset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Hampshire and surrounding.

The key purpose of this role is to be responsible for the installation, commissioning, service, repair, breakdown and maintenance of the company’s range of capita equipment in a variety of environments, located in the South West.

Duties include:

  • Installation, commissioning, maintenance, and fault finding of a wide range of different manufactured and third‐party equipment
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To be considered for this exciting role you must be able to demonstrate a background working in a field service or technical support role, gained within a capital equipment environment. You should be qualified to a minimum of level 3 or above in electrical installation/engineering/maintenance or another relevant technical discipline with 3 years of experience. Alternatively, a gold card electrician would be considered along with 2391 testing and inspection.

Applicants are welcome from a wide range of equipment backgrounds.

You must have impeccable customer service skills and a confident and professional manner in customer-facing environments.

Key requirements include:

  • Previous experience performing in a technical field service team
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  • Positive ‘can‐do’ attitude
  • Problem solver ‐ ability to engineer solutions on the job
  • Ability to work and manage in a high‐pressure environment
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  • Willing to travel and work unsocial hours when needed
  • Some overnight stays required

Benefits include:

  • This is an excellent opportunity to join a world-class organisation. You will be joining a national team of Field Service personnel who take great pride in their work and who aim to build upon long-term relationships with customers.
  • You will be continually challenged as you are exposed to new technologies. You will receive constant support and guidance from senior management and your technical knowledge will be furthered through training courses.
  • For those with the desire there are opportunities to progress your career within the department and into the wider company.

In return, you will benefit from dedicated product training, recognised by the industry, which will run on an ongoing basis as new products are introduced. A generous remuneration package is also guaranteed, including a competitive salary, company healthcare package, contributory pension scheme, phone, and laptop, along with the opportunity to progress your career within a market-leading organisation.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more