LinkedIn has added a new feature that matches applicants with prospective employers with . Once a job is posted, this new beta feature returns a list of up to 24 possible candidates, displaying a snapshot of their profile in a business card style format along with a rating on a scale of 1-10. This format allows for the employer/poster to review the candidates quickly and contact only those that they see as a good fit for their company. Director of Product Management at LinkedIn says
“… we now hope to make it faster and easier both for users to find the right jobs and for hiring companies to find the right talent.”
As more and more people are faced with layoffs and are met with the exhausting task of searching for a job, preparing and sending in a resume is not enough to stand out from the crowd. For every position available, there are numerous candidates that are applying, leaving employers inundated and overwhelmed. Manually reviewing resumes for viable candidates is very time consuming and in some cases, qualified candidates do get overlooked. Real-time Profile Matches puts an end to this by matching up to 24 qualified candidates immediately after a job is posted. The results, presented as business cards, gives employers a chance to see a quick snapshot of your name, photo, title, current employer and your location. In addition, LinkedIn rates each candidate on a scale of 1-10 based upon how closely they match the position.
While LinkedIn is mums the word on how what criteria is used to match the profiles with job postings, Barrile has indicated that it goes a level deeper than just keyword matching. He has suggested that users complete profile in entirety, be up to date and also keeping your network informed that you are seeking employment through updating your status regularly. As this technology is proprietary to LinkedIn, we may never know exactly what is used to match candidates with positions, so completing your profile and making the necessary changes to have your profile a step above the rest has never been so important. Time and time again we see incomplete profiles, one sentence summaries, “my website” instead of a custom name – all mistakes to avoid on LinkedIn. Your becomes your hub for your job search. Employers want to know to learn all that they can about a person before they bring them in for an interview. A simple Google search will tell them all that they want to know and then some. Your LinkedIn profile being prominently displayed high atop in the search results drives them to your profile and away from other information.
From your profile headline down to your photo, all the information you put in your profile is of the ut most of importance, so putting your best foot forward will get you hired. Your profile headline should be descriptive but also a solution. Instead of CEO of X Company, consider core keywords that are associated with your industry. For example if you have a blog, chief blogger at (blog name), Broadcast Marketing Consultant. The headline is not limited to just one title - you can have as many as you like in 120 characters. You this wisely so that employers get a good idea of what you have done when they receive your business card profile in the job search matches. In addition, your summary should be narrative description of where your experience lies, what types of positions you are looking for and how you are a step above the rest (those unique qualities that go further than organized, self starter, etc.). Your profile does not end at what you have done as there is the other component of your profile that should be looked at – your connections! Have you connected with people you share a group with, people that are in your industry, old friends, new friends and their friends.
Remember, LinkedIn tags connections with the activity filter allowing you to browse your connections by those who have expanded their network with new connections. Take advantage of all that you can when searching for a job and also do not forget, jump on over to American Express Open Forum, a welcomed LinkedIn partner, sign in using your LinkedIn profile and start connecting there as well.
Currently Real-Time Profile Matches are free however this is for a limited time – so if you are thinking about getting ready to hire a new employee, take advantage of this free tool (of course posting the job is fee based) and let LinkedIn find your new hire.
Have you used this tool? Have you found it to be beneficial?
photo credit: LinkedIn blog
