LinkedIn for contractors

LinkedIn is an incredibly versatile and effective tool for contractors – and one of the ways to make social media work for you. It can help you to not only find your next assignment but also to promote your expertise and personal brand. We look at some of the things you should be doing to boost your networking power and also some of the mistakes to avoid.

Optimise your profile

There are several things you can do to ensure that your profile stands out, and importantly get to the top of search results. Firstly, include the correct industry sector and then add relevant keywords in the summary section. For example, if you’re a software tester looking for a contract in London, then say so! Remember that this will also significantly boost your profile in Google’s organic rankings.

Grow your LinkedIn connections

LinkedIn is a professional networking site so you must continually seek to increase the number of your connections. Make sure you send invites to all your new colleagues whenever you start a new contract. This could open doors for you via their business contacts, so you should at the very least aim to have 500+ connections. Anything less and the platform’s search algorithm won’t include you in results.

Showcase your contracting experience

Add in all your contracting experience, the companies you’ve worked for and the projects you’ve been involved in. Quantify all achievements, again ensuring that you include all relevant information that will help an employer or specialist contracting recruiter find you. Include any courses you’ve attended and articles you’ve published. Write recommendations for others and they will then return the compliment. The same applies to endorsements – the more you give, the more you’ll get back.

Discuss relevant contracting topics

If you don’t already, get into the habit of regularly sharing updates, at least weekly. These should mostly be industry-related, for example posts from companies that you’re already following, but an inspiring quotation or infographic is equally welcome. You can also publish posts, which is a great way to demonstrate your subject matter expertise. Why not also join relevant groups where you can ask and also answer questions in your areas of expertise?

Land your next contract

As for securing your next assignment, LinkedIn is a veritable goldmine of opportunities. Apart from keeping in touch with your contacts and the endless possibilities that may arise, recruiters use the site to not only search for talent but post their jobs online. LinkedIn keeps you updated with recommended jobs, you can save your searches and even apply directly via the site. You may also receive private messages from recruiters and hiring managers. An ‘IT recruiters in Manchester’ group would be one to join if you’re looking for opportunities in the local area.

As we’ve discussed, there are lots of things that you can do to build your personal brand and differentiate yourself in what is a fiercely competitive contracting market. Learn everything you can about the site, post regular updates and above all ensure that you have a killer, fully optimised profile.

If you take LinkedIn seriously, there’s a great deal it can do for you.