LinkedIn is the perfect site for networking and finding a career. This article will teach you how to best use it to get a software development job.
In the U.S., unemployment is at an all-time low of 3.4%. If you are currently out of work, that number may still feel too high. You may be asking, "How can I find a software development job?"
To find the best answer to this question, you'll have to consider all the available options. Some software developers are comfortable sharing their resumes with any tech company that may be hiring; however, this can be a time-consuming tactic.
Consider using professional networking sites like LinkedIn to find a job, as this can hasten up your job search. Check out this guide to learn how to use LinkedIn to find software developer jobs.
You probably already have a professional profile on LinkedIn, but if not, this is a great time to create one. In January 2023, LinkedIn had 900.2 million members!
This means that you can probably find a contact at the organization you wish to apply to, by creating a profile and connecting with others on LinkedIn.
Make sure to spend the extra cash necessary to get a professional headshot taken and use that for your profile. No bathroom selfies, please! Remember, you want to dress for the opportunity you want.
Take your time and add in all your education highlights, job experience over your career, and any skills that you think are salient to your role. You want to show potential hiring managers that you have participated in lots of relevant projects during your career with positive ROI and numerous benefits for the organization you worked at.
Any special technologies that you have worked with should be highlighted as well. Don't forget to add certifications that you have acquired over your career and also some fun tidbits about yourself that shows off your personality. Show them that you aren't just a worker bee, but a three-dimensional being.
If you have special requirements for your job, like remote software development jobs or vacation time, put that into your profile as well.
If you aren't sure exactly what to add to your profile, read through the job postings of certain roles you are interested in and add relevant items to your profile.
Also, you can read through other professionals' profiles and see how they have set it up to get inspiration for your profile. Don't plagiarize, though. Copying and pasting from someone's else profile is a big no-no.
After you have built a suitable professional profile on LinkedIn, now the real work begins. You will want to spend a certain amount of time every day (or every week), depending on your time availability, on building and maintaining a strong professional network on LinkedIn.
There are many ways to do this, like:
Building a network on LinkedIn is a long-term process. So you will want to carve out some time every week to connect with folks, have conversations with them, and more. Have fun with it!
The great thing about LinkedIn is that there are people from all generations searching for jobs and building networks. 59% of LinkedIn's user base is made up of Millennials! So it's not just Baby Boomers or Gen X.
And a lot of these folks are in leadership positions, so it's a great way to connect to people in the know.
There are many different ways you can apply for jobs on LinkedIn. Of course, if you see job postings that are relevant to your experience level, then you can apply to these directly.
You can also reach out to hiring managers at organisations that you wish to work at using the InMail feature and inquire if they have anything available or if you can send your resume through for them to glance through. Being proactive in this fashion on LinkedIn is acceptable and even expected, so don't feel shy.
Searching for job opportunities on LinkedIn is an easy process. Since there are hundreds of organisations on this network, there will always be new job postings popping up in your field. Check back in frequently and apply to a job posting as soon as you see something interesting.
Don't get disheartened if you don't hear back for a while from the job postings that you apply to. Unfortunately, no matter how much you tailor your applications, it's still a numbers game when it comes to applying on LinkedIn.
Thankfully, a lot of hiring managers on LinkedIn are quick about replying to your applications, whether it's positive or not. So stay sharp and keep at it.
It seems like the way of the future when it comes to getting a new job is through referrals on a networking site like LinkedIn. That's why it's important to build your profile and network there.
Make sure to regularly update your profile on LinkedIn, for example, when you get a new software development job. Spend some time every week engaging with your network, even if you’re not actively searching for a job.
All these activities will increase your visibility to employers hiring software developers, which is ideal. Also, consider using Scrums' expert platform to get hired as a developer.
To write a compelling headline for your LinkedIn profile, include your job title and a few keywords that highlight your skills and experience. For example, "Software Developer | Java | React | AWS".
To stand out to recruiters on LinkedIn, optimize your profile, engage with content, and be proactive in reaching out to hiring managers and recruiters directly. You can also use LinkedIn's "Job Preferences" feature to let recruiters know that you are open to new job opportunities.
You can connect with professionals in the software development industry by joining LinkedIn groups related to software development, attending networking events and conferences, and using LinkedIn's "People Also Viewed" feature to find professionals in your industry.
You can increase your visibility on LinkedIn by engaging with content, sharing your own content, and using keywords in your profile that highlight your skills and experience.
Some common mistakes to avoid when using LinkedIn for job seeking include having an incomplete or outdated profile, using inappropriate language or images, and not personalizing your messages or connection requests. It's important to present yourself professionally and make a good first impression.
