Do you find yourself in a rut, using only LinkedIn to find your next job? Although LinkedIn continues to be a platform for doing business and searching for job offers, restricting yourself to using only this platform in the twenty-first century’s internet world could mean missing out on potentially incredible offers.

Using research-based recommendations, the author of this article outlines ways to expand your online job search and secure the job you desire.

The rising use of the internet and relevant technology means that the process of job seeking has indeed changed.

Examining today’s job market, it is impossible to remain in the past when people sent a CV and a cover letter to several employers. The current candidate is expected to operate in a vast virtual environment with various social media sites posing various possibilities for propelling one’s career forward.

Although LinkedIn has always seemed like a solution to professional networking and job searching, studies show that it is worth being more pluralistic.

Diversify Your Online Presence

One of the most effective strategies for enhancing your job search is to expand your online presence beyond LinkedIn.

According to a study by Jobvite, 75% of recruiters use social media to screen candidates, with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram being the most popular platforms beyond LinkedIn (Jobvite, 2021).

This statistic underscores the importance of maintaining a professional presence across multiple social media channels.

But it's not just about having profiles on various platforms; it's about actively engaging with them.

Research shows that job seekers who maintain an active presence on 3-4 professional networking sites are 40% more likely to receive job offers compared to those who only use LinkedIn.

This increased visibility across multiple platforms can significantly boost your chances of being noticed by potential employers.

To make the most of this strategy:

1. Ensure your profiles are consistent across platforms, presenting a cohesive personal brand.
2. Regularly share industry-related content and engage with others in your field.
3. Join professional groups and participate in relevant discussions.
4. Use each platform's unique features to showcase your skills and experience.

Leverage Niche Job Boards

While general job boards like Indeed or Monster can be useful, don't overlook the power of niche job boards specific to your industry or profession.

A survey by Talent.com found that 70% of job seekers find success on industry-specific job boards compared to general job sites.

The specialised platforms generally provide access to a more targeted pool of relevant job opportunities, making it easier to find a position that matches your skills and experience.

Some benefits of using niche job boards include:

1. More relevant job postings tailored to your specific field or expertise.
2. Reduced competition compared to larger, general job sites.
3. Opportunities to connect with employers who value specialised skills.
4. Access to industry-specific resources and networking opportunities.

To find niche job boards in your field, try searching for "[Your Industry] job board" or ask colleagues for recommendations. Some popular examples include Dice for tech jobs, eFinancialCareers for finance positions, and Mediabistro for media and communications roles.

Optimise for Search Engine Discoverability

Job seekers have to be searchable on the internet since the current employment world is based on the internet. For example, a study conducted by Glassdoor established that 79% of candidates use search engines to seek jobs; this clarifies the need to ensure that your CVs and profiles are crawl-friendly.

This implies that regardless of the kind of job you may be seeking, you will not only be able to apply for the job, but recruiters and employers will also find you online via a Google search.

To improve your search engine discoverability:

1. Create a personal website or online portfolio showcasing your work and experience.
2. Use relevant keywords in your online profiles, CV, and portfolio that align with your target roles.
3. Leverage schema markup on your personal website to help search engines understand and categorise your content.
4. Contribute to industry blogs or publications to increase your online footprint.
5. Ensure your name and professional information are consistent across all online platforms.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly increase your chances of being discovered by recruiters searching for candidates with your skills and experience.

Engage with Online Communities

Job seeking has not lost its social aspect, and online communities are filled with opportunities to interact with working professionals.

Several studies prove that targeting active users of online forums, Reddit subreddits, and Slack channels while conducting the job search increases chances of success by 2.

Five times more likely than the non-learners to be referred for job opportunities. These communities offer an opportunity to interact, showcase your knowledge, and discover openings not listed in various vacancy sources.

To make the most of online communities:

1. Identify relevant forums, subreddits, or Slack channels in your industry.
2. Regularly contribute to discussions by sharing your knowledge and insights.
3. Offer help and advice to other community members.
4. Participate in virtual events or webinars hosted by these communities.
5. Be open about your job search and ask for advice or referrals when appropriate.

Remember, the key to success in these communities is to focus on building genuine relationships and providing value to others, rather than simply asking for job leads.

Utilise Specialised Recruitment Platforms

Apart from conventional walking in for an interview, responding to an ad in the newspapers, or the hundreds of job vacancies advertised on social media platforms, the following are some of the few recruitment websites that can be of enormous benefit to you.

According to Capterra, 65% of job seekers think it is better to use industry-specific boards, for instance, AngelList for startups or Dribbble for designers, to find opportunities.

These platforms typically afford the user a chance to search and apply for jobs not found on the general job boards and allow the employers to view your portfolio and skills, making you more marketable.

Some benefits of using specialised recruitment platforms include:

1. Access to job opportunities that may not be advertised elsewhere.
2. The ability to create a profile that highlights your specific skills and experiences.
3. Direct connections with hiring managers or recruiters in your field.
4. Opportunities to showcase your portfolio or work samples in a format tailored to your industry.

Examples of specialised recruitment platforms include:

• AngelList for startup and tech jobs
• Dribbble for designers and creative professionals
• GitHub Jobs for developers
• Behance for creative professionals
• Stack Overflow Jobs for programmers and developers

Charting Your Digital Job Search Course

Though LinkedIn remains useful in the process of searching for a job, it is possible to get trapped by relying solely on this site.

Thus, using multiple sources, utilising special job boards, optimising for SEO, participating in online communities, and using specialised recruitment tools would greatly improve your chances of a successful job search and obtaining the desired position.

Simply put, success in the digital job search strategy lies in being proactive and systematic, as well as a genuine representation of the candidate.

It is crucial to be active, meaning you should post new information to your profiles and respond to your connections' activity on a consistent basis.

When you use these strategies suggested by research and do not rely solely on LinkedIn, you will be ready for the competition in the digital world of employment and appeal to hiring managers to offer you the best position.

Thank you for reading!

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