LinkedIn is arguably the best tool for finding new vacancies outside of job boards and using recruiters outright. If you have not set up a profile, get that done straight away. Have a look at 9 Ways to Maximize Your LinkedIn Profile as well.
The beauty of LinkedIn is that it allows the employer and/or recruiter to find you instead of the other way around. By keeping a high profile, you will be noticed and contacted sooner rather than later. You keep a high profile by being active, joining groups and getting involved in discussions.
Joining relevant groups on LinkedIn allows you to extend your personal brand and also reach out to more people as you can contact any group member directly. Groups are useful for news postings, discussion boards, updates in general, networking, questions and answers and so forth.
So what groups should a job seeker join? Well, recruiters trawl a lot of groups but as a rule of thumb you want to go for the big and established ones. You can join up to 50 groups and it’s all free.
These are the LinkedIn groups you have to join:
1. A Job Needed – A Job Posted
The title says it all, claims to be fastest growing, and the most productive group in the career and recruitment segment. About 9k members at the moment.
2. Career Change Central
A group for job changers and people in career transition to meet in a central place with recruiters, hiring managers, and career coaches. Has racked up 11k members.
3. CareerLink Network
Takes a more holistic approach to your career and life, helping you with spiritual and personal growth. This group has just south of 8k members.
4. Corporate Recruiters
A group for corporate, on in-house if you will, recruiters. Joining this will hopefully get you in direct contact with companies. The group has 33k members.
5. Executive Suite
A massive group connecting executives and recruiters mainly in the US. It has its own newsletter and now has over 168k members.
6. Job Openings, Job Leads and Job Connections
Another group with a self explanatory title. Over 77k member at the moment.
7. Jobs Alert
Provides career opportunities at middle and senior level of management in companies across the globe. Focussed on India, the UK and the US. Just shy of 6k members.
8. Linked:HR
A group for managers, corporate recruiters, headhunters, HR folks and now you. Claims to be the biggest HR group on LinkedIn and the most active for discussions. This group has a whopping 211k members so I am inclined to believe that.
9. Personal Branding Network
A group by my buddy Dan Schwabel about how to use your brand for your job search and career in general. The smallest group on this list with just under 3k members.
10. Positive Thinkers A group for optimistic people who believe in the power of positive thinking and concentrate on the good rather than the bad. Obviously very useful when looking for jobs in this day and age, the group is pushing 5k members.
