After you have created your resume one of the next most important items on your career journey should be to create a LinkedIn Profile. LinkedIn is one of the largest professional networking websites available today and is used by the majority of DoD contractors seeking job candidates. Creating and maintaining a LinkedIn profile will greatly assisting you in marketing yourself to potential employers and will also help you with networking.
If you are a veteran, I strongly recommend you visit the LinkedIn Veterans support page and they offer a wealth of services for Veterans. One of the key benefits they offer all veterans is free access to the premium version of LinkedIn for one year. Be sure you sign up and take advantage of this great offer.
Also, recently one of my veteran contacts told me about Ms. Donna Serdula who offers free step by step directions to optimize your LinkedIn profile along with many other beneficial services. You can get access to Donna and her great resources at LinkedIn-Makeover.com
Additionally, as LinkedIn has been around for awhile, there are many articles on how to create a stellar LinkedIn profile. One of the best articles I found is called “Ten Tips for the Perfect LinkedIn Profile.” I modeled my LinkedIn profile following several of the tips in the article and consistently get inquires for job opportunities sent to me.
Lastly, after you have set up your LinkedIn profile be sure to set up the “Career interests” section of your profile to let potential employers and recruiters what type of job or career you are interested in and to be notified by LinkedIn of jobs or companies that may interest you.
If you know of or have tried other formats or tips to enhance your LinkedIn profile that have gotten you results please let me know.