Do you occasionally run across words that bring a smile to your face? Or perhaps a puzzled quizzical look to your eye? That’s what strikes me when I see the word ‘extravaganza’! So, what exactly does ‘extravaganza’ mean?
Extravaganza is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as “a large, exciting, and expensive event or entertainment.” Vocabulary.com defines it as “an activity that is diverting and holds the attention.” Synonyms pointed out by Collins Dictionary include: spectacular, show, spectacle, or display.
Captivate and Compel
Now, overlay those definitions and synonyms over your current LinkedIn profile. If you’re like me, I can affirmatively say that no one is going to use the word extravaganza to describe my profile or my use of LinkedIn. 🙂 But what if…could we…create and use LinkedIn in a way that aligns with extravaganza from the perspective of creating something so captivating and compelling that recruiters and hiring managers who are looking for what you do best are quickly drawn to your profile and your engagement as the answer to their search?
In our past few blogs, I’m hopeful you’re clear with our position that LinkedIn is a top-flight job search tool when it comes to networking and re-presenting yourself in the marketplace. Today, I’ll be sharing with you some tips to break out of the crowd and become that extravaganza recruiters and hiring managers would love to see!
Before we dive in, let’s take a quick look at Scripture. While it doesn’t use the word extravaganza, the Bible does use the words, “extravagant/extravagance.” What’s the opportunity given to us through that lens?
Psalms 108:4 says, “Your love is so extravagant, it reaches higher than the heavens! Your faithfulness is so astonishing, it stretches to the skies!” 1 John 3 begins with, “Consider the kind of extravagant love the Father has lavished on us….”
And to go further throughout Scripture, many references are given to the riches of God’s love and grace that He so freely gives to us.
Similar to how we like to have people “re-frame” networking as an opportunity to share compassion with others rather than just making the connection all about themselves, let’s reframe our thinking about using LinkedIn as another opportunity to allow our identity in Christ and our missional purpose to shine through.
Creating a Profile ‘Extravaganza’
Now, with those filters in place, let’s take a look at four different ways you can utilize LinkedIn to create a profile that is an ‘extravaganza’ to those who come across it:
#OpenToWork
As with building many things, let’s begin with a basic foundation. Do people even know you’re looking for work? Help them help you by utilizing the label #OpenToWork to immediately attract attention to the fact that you’re in the market looking for a new adventure.
Build a Great Profile
As we pointed out in our blog ‘LinkedIn – Profiles That Work’, your profile should demonstrate to others why what you do best can bring tremendous value to an employer.
Make Connections
Now is definitely the time to grow your network, so spend some time searching out industry peers, people you know but haven’t connected with, as well as recruiters – be proactive!
Engage With Your Connections
We’ve all heard the saying, “Out of sight, out of mind.” It’s no different with LinkedIn. Just because you may have quite a few connections, it doesn’t mean anything if they never hear from you. Here are a few ways to engage with them:
- Articles – Sharing relevant information with your network adds value and triggers their recall for you.
- Surveys – Good questions that prompt others to think also bring you back to their mind.
- Recognition – Passing along your congratulations to others’ accomplishments amplifies you as well.
In addition to having a profile that captivates recruiters and hiring managers with its ‘extravagance’, you should also make sure that you are fully utilizing all the functions that LinkedIn has to offer. If you haven’t already explored the Job Search Function, take some time to familiarize yourself with it. Click on the “jobs” subheading between “My Network” and “Messaging” and check out the wealth of information available to you. Don’t be afraid to experiment a bit and try out some new approaches.
Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Maximizing and using LinkedIn extravagantly will take some time, but it’s time well spent for your networking and job seeking success. Blessings!
Dave Sparkman currently serves as the volunteer Crossroads Career board chair and local ministry leader. He is also the founder and managing director of Spark Your Culture, a corporate culture consulting firm. Prior to that he worked at UnitedHealth Group, a Fortune #5 public company, serving in the role of Chief Culture Officer. His unemployment experience came from the implosion of Arthur Andersen, where he served as the West Region Managing Partner, People.
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