How can you help recruiters find you on LinkedIn? Use this secret hack to increase your chances of showing up in LinkedIn search results... When you want to find something, what do you do? You probably Google it. And when you Google something, you search for specific keywords that relate to whatever it is you’re looking for so Google’s algorithm shows you the most relevant results possible. For example, if you’re looking for a better brand of dog food for your best bud, you’ll probably search for something like “best dog food brands” or “highest rated dog food.” When you use specific keywords and phrases like these, Google will show you all of the most relevant results tied to your search quarry. Well, guess what, recruiters do the same thing when they’re trying to find job candidates. There are a lot of people out there who don’t realize that LinkedIn is like a search engine for recruiters. When they need to source potential job candidates, they pop over to LinkedIn and leverage its database of 467 million users. But with MILLIONS of LinkedIn users, how can you stand out to recruiters? What can you do to increase your chances of showing up in a recruiter’s LinkedIn search? Let’s think back to our Google example. Why do certain websites show up in a search result anyway? Well, their webpages are designed in a way that showcases the very terms you’re searching for on Google. They’re keyword optimized in a way that allows them to be found during an online search. LinkedIn also uses an algorithm. And when recruiters search for candidates, they typically search for specific keywords relating to the jobs they’re looking to fill. Those keywords are skill sets. For example, if a recruiter is looking for a social media manager, he or she could search for candidates on LinkedIn using terms like “social media marketing” or “social media management.” These are both keywords AND skill sets. And if you want to show up in the search results, you need to showcase these keywords on your LinkedIn profile. So, if you want to help recruiters find you on LinkedIn, take a look at your profile. Are you showcasing the right skill sets? Do you have enough keywords on your profile? If not, you’re making it harder for recruiters to find you.
There you are: sitting on the beach, covered in sunscreen, reading your favorite book, drinking your favorite drink under the cool shade of an umbrella. Life doesn't get any better than this. Suddenly, a door slams, a phone rings, a printer turns on. You jolt back into consciousness. You're at work, sitting in your cubicle, without even a hint of sunshine streaming in from outside.
When you're working a full-time job, finding time to enjoy the warm, bright summer weather can be a challenge. This is especially true for young professionals, as many of them are used to having summers off (or, at the very least, having a flexible summer schedule). But there's no need to feel trapped behind your cubicle walls. Go out and enjoy summer!
Here are a few tips for making the most of your summer while working full time.
1. Grab Some Foldable Chairs
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Keep a couple of foldable camping chairs at the office so you and a co-worker can catch some rays during lunch—whether it's in the park or the parking lot.
2. Keep A Beach Bag In Your Car
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Keep a bag full of summer supplies for your favorite summer activities. Having a bag (or, in my case, a backseat) full of towels, sunscreen, and swimwear keeps you prepared for anything. Friends hitting up the pool after work? You're covered. Once the clock strikes five, you can head to your destination of choice immediately.
3. Plan An Office Outing
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Plan an office field trip to the beach, the park, or the pool. Just do something fun so your brain can recharge and refresh!
4. Organize Group Walks
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Get a bunch of co-workers together and go on regular walks around town during lunch. (Or you could suggest a quick jaunt over to the ice cream shop.) This is a great way to get some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.
5. Eat Lunch At The Park
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When you find yourself eating out, hit up places with a deck, porch, or patio of some sort. Obviously, eating out every day isn't really a feasible option for most of us, so look into alternative ideas as well. Pack a lunch and hit the park for your own little picnic.
6. Organize Office Sports
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Whether it's setting up an official office sports team or just hanging out with your colleagues a few times a week, playing sports is a great way to get out and enjoy the weather. Have a field nearby? Try setting up some slow-pitch softball games. Or see if you can get a basketball hoop for the office so you and a few co-workers can shoot some hoops at lunch.
7. Join A Professional Group
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During the summer, professional networking groups often have fun events like harbor cruises, pub crawls, and outdoor mixers. Find a professional group in your area and make networking fun this summer.
8. Have An Office BBQ
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Get your grill on! Talk to your boss about setting up an office BBQ. Ask everyone to contribute their favorite dish, side, or drink. Fire up the grill and relax! Hey, it's summer after all.
9. Wake Up Early
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Yes, yes, I know...waking up early is an incredibly painful and unbearable experience for some of us, but waking up even an hour earlier has its benefits—especially in the summer. Go for a morning run, putter around in the garden, or watch the sunrise with a loved one. Talk about starting the day off right!
10. Strategically Use Your Time Off
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Strategically use your vacation days around holidays. This way, you can make a potentially long weekend longer without having to use too much of your precious vacation time. Half days are also pretty awesome. It's amazing how much you can do with four extra hours! If you want an early weekend but don't want to burn up your vacation days too quickly, try taking a half day on a Friday instead of using a full day off.
11. Bike To Work
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If you're one of the lucky few who live within walking or biking distance of work, take advantage of it! Not only will you get plenty of fresh air, but you'll also save money on gas, which is always a plus!
There are plenty of easy ways to enjoy summer when you work a full-time job. So this summer, try out a few of these ideas and make the most of the sunshine and warm weather—while they're still around!
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