As we become adults, it’s expected of us to finally take on the responsibility of earning our own money. No more bumming around the house and getting allowances from our parents!
However, it’s a dog-eat-dog world out there and to secure a job is not always easy. Well, LinkedIn, a social platform for professionals as we all know, recently released a few tips on how Malaysians can increase their odds at landing themselves a job.
In order to appear strong and credible, most would definitely fabricate their profiles with fancy, bombastic words. However, are these words enough to ensure a powerful presence? Well, research showed that it actually isn’t enough!
A recent study by LinkedIn revealed that the top 10 Buzzwords in Malaysia for 2017 are:
- Experienced
- Skilled
- Specialise
- Passionate
- Leadership
- Responsible
- Motivated
- Expert
- Creative
- Excellent
They also revealed that instead of only fabricating our profiles with fancy words, we must also appear active on the site.
How? Well, fortunately, along with their stats, LinkedIn also gave some advice to follow in order to create an impactful presence;
1. Market your best qualities
It’s all about marketing!
Source: make a meme
Your profile should sell you in the best possible way, starting with the language you use. As many recruitment agencies in Malaysia headhunt through LinkedIn, it’s pretty important to help your ideal employer find you by ensuring your LinkedIn profile is complete.
If you consider yourself a ‘specialist’, show this by tailoring your profile accordingly. List all of the relevant skills that have been built up through your work experience. With this, you will attract the desired employer that’s looking for a specific set of skills that could be in your bio.
2. Show character
While the words you choose say a lot about you, it’s also important to strike a professional tone; be assertive and direct when talking about your achievements. Don’t shy away from adding some personality to your language – this is a great way to show your character.
Summary: Be professional, but don’t forget to show personality!
Source: meme generator
Why? This is because most employers nowadays look for personality when recruiting an employee because to them, an easy-going and friendly team-player will be the perfect candidate.
3. Actions speak louder than words
Source: imgflip
Instead of saying you’re “creative”, show recruiters your creativity by including presentations, videos, design work, and projects you take pride in. For instance, if you’re a graphic designer, make sure your CV has an aesthetically pleasing layout instead of the standard Microsoft Word-type of template!
Remember, in a sea of potential candidates, you want to stand out from the crowd; you’ve only got five to 10 seconds to impress a potential employer.
4. Voice your opinion
If you’re clear about a topic in the field you’re in, don’t be afraid to add comments or give your opinion on it. It will always show employers that you are knowledgeable in your own industry.
You could also do so by publishing a post on LinkedIn.
Source: odyssey
Your ideal employer will get a good impression of your level of understanding and of course, that’s always a good thing!
So, one should remember that;
“Beyond using words to describe yourself, stay engaged with your networks and establish a voice in the community. It is important to stand out from the crowd by bringing out your authentic selves.” -LinkedIn
By practising these steps, you can create a powerful presence and increase your chances of being approached by a recruiter or potential employer, and land that job! Now, go out there and get your dream job! You can do it!
Also read: Survey Shows Almost Half of M’sians Employees Look Forward to Going to Work
