In an exclusive interview with Mr. Vivek Trivedi, we caught up on his journey and his thoughts on emerging LinkedIn trends and best practices. He foresees the advantages of LinkedIn related to job seekers and even working HR professionals. He shared with us some of the best practices. In this exclusive interview, he talks about the role of LinkedIn in engagement and advancement of the career.
- What has your professional journey been like and how has it shaped your approach to LinkedIn?
When I started my journey as a talent acquisition professional, I was very eager to know how to attract passive talents and I was always on the lookout for non-traditional ways to support and attract the non-active job seekers talent pool. I was fortunate enough to receive great responses not only from the job seeker but also from the working HR professionals. I started with a series called TALKS (Talent Acquisition Lessons and Knowledge sharing) which was well received by the audience and this propelled me to continue my journey on LinkedIn which is one of the rare platforms where the top professionals across the globe share their knowledge and experience.
Today LinkedIn has 740 million members worldwide and 55 million companies are present on LinkedIn. Thus, it supports globally that for every 20 seconds one hire is happening. LinkedIn becomes a very important and a favourite tool for recruiters and most AI automation includes LinkedIn in their blueprints and workflows.
- How does your journey start with LinkedIn? What is your trigger point?
The human resource people are in search of passive talents as there are different avenues in searching for the right candidates. But the traditional methods did not help them in achieving this as they are outdated. Thus, a new talent acquisition trend started and people like me focused on human resource people’s needs and helped them in finding the appropriate candidates for the required positions. LinkedIn is the perfect tool to find passive talents. So, I chose this platform to acquire perfect talents and that is how I entered LinkedIn. Once I post the jobs and the candidates of the same pool are attracted towards my postings. Thus, a mutual way of benefits to both sides – HR and job seekers. LinkedIn is a very cost and time-saving tool.
- What are some of the best strategies for building a Powerful Network Using LinkedIn?
Here my suggestion would be the 3Cs, say Consistency, Content, and Connect, which are the best strategies for building a powerful network using LinkedIn. Consistency in posting the contents either daily or on alternative days would be the best way. There should be regularity in posting. So that the followers can get inputs on regular basis and keep informed about your new posting on LinkedIn. Next is the Content, which should be an updated one. Also fresh, informative, and error-free content should very much benefit the target audience and are most welcomed. Final C is Connect if any content which is fulfilling these categories are liked by the followers and this helps you generate the first degree of followers who promote and communicate your message to their network, thus helping to connect one with communities and people look forward to taking support with your content. Not only this C, but other Cs also play an influential role in the continuous exposure of the real talents.
- How do you define the LinkedIn algorithm when it comes to boosting reach?
The LinkedIn performed an algorithm where it first shares your content to the first-degree people having similar interest, similar skill and who is following similar #tags. Actually, LinkedIn fetches the first-degree people by the keywords they used and shares your post with few people initially. Once the sharing is reached with the first-degree people, then shares to the next degree say second-degree. Likewise, it engages the connections or links by sharing the content. Simply to say the algorithm is keywords fetching and through that linking the people of the same pool. In other words, how much engagement that your content is doing in the first hour decides the further engagement. This is how the LinkedIn algorithm is performing to boost the reach.
And I suggest here the best practices in post your content is like
- From Tuesday to Friday (then Monday to Saturday)
- Between 3 pm and 7 pm
- First-degree people can be given a personal message after you have posted your content because those people for sure will like, share and comment and help in better reach and engagement
- Do you think that LinkedIn is being effectively used for job search?
Absolutely yes! Because every 20 Seconds, hiring is done through LinkedIn. This is why LinkedIn is objectively used for job search and no other social media platform is as effective as LinkedIn. Recruiters and job seekers are connected in no time by just dropping an Inmail by LinkedIn. As soon as the recruiters’ requirement and job seekers’ need match with the right approach and frequency match, this Inmail approach support job seekers and recruiter connection. This helps the job seekers to connect and express the desire for application compare to an application through job portals and get engulf in Blackbox of thousand more applicants. Thus, candidates are also satisfied with this platform.
Here are also a few best practices that would help you as a job seeker
- Have a complete profile of about 2000 words
- Highlight the accomplishment in your profile
- Highlight the awards/achievements/accolade in the featured column of LinkedIn
- Connect with a functional expert in your niche and follow them regularly to upkeep your knowledge base.
- Why does LinkedIn Influencer Marketing Matters for Brands?
Because LinkedIn helps you in developing a one-on-one connection. No other social network related to professional networking is structured like this. It is very important that any sales professional should hit the right person in any organization. That person should have three features like money, authority, and need, i.e., who is the decision-maker of that organization. This will promote the B2B sales generation or at least nurture. Not only now but also for the long run because a business needs connection or lead to generating for its growth. Once you are connected, you are connected forever. LinkedIn has a paid feature sales navigator tool that connects to Brand B2B sales and marketing.
The best practice here is that
- Identify the right person who is in need and decision-makers. Be always towards the point.
- Look forward to developing Long term association compare to the myopic approach for prospects.
“I never made one of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking.”
– Albert Einstein
- What are a few Essential LinkedIn Profile Tips for Job-Seekers?
First of all, you have to identify the niche. Approach for the right job. Random applying or applying for any and every job posting doesn’t work. So, suggest my five-step process AWARD
Aware: Be aware of your niche, also aware of what type of job position you’re looking for, and also be aware of what type of companies or groups are providing you similar opportunities.
Word: Identify the keywords and #tags that your niche companies or groups have and follow. Prepare your content using those keywords and post with the same #tags.
Action: Follow the influencer who is following the similar or same niche and #tags. Post your content and also like, share and comment on similar niches and #tags of the groups and followers.
Response: Just do value addition to your action i.e., posting your content again and again as per the comments or responses. A process of VVVA – Value-Value-Value-Ask would help you. Do the response process, i.e., add value 3 times and 4th time ask for the open position of your niche. Now the response will be quick and positive if the position is available. But sure, you are getting selected in a position that will be available to you as your action is towards the same niche.
Drafting: Finally, drafting the strategy of getting the job. First, draft down what you are going to do in the first week, the second week, 30 days, and 60 days to get a job. You have a margin of 60 days and if you work in accord with the above steps, sure you will be hired within 60 days.
I think these are the essential LinkedIn profile tips that any job seeker has to map to get a job. On average within 60 days, whoever goes by this route, will get a job.
- What are some of the basic tips for writing Your Summary Like a LinkedIn Influencer?
A LinkedIn influencer is someone who always influences his people just by triggering them through his content. Me, being a LinkedIn influencer, always create content in a way that showcases to the recruiters that I am an expert in this field of subject, i.e., an SME (subject matter expert). That’s why my followers are triggered and attracted towards my postings and making me always in trend in my field of talent acquisition. Make your follower attract to your content and by which connection continuation is acquired. Make people of your niche follow you, like, share, and comment on your writings. By this, you can target your niche market and achieve a connection to aspiring talents.
“Users who continually find value in a product are more likely to tell their friends about it.”
– Nir Eyal
- What emerging LinkedIn trends do job seekers need to keep up with?
The 3Ms is the perfect strategy to be followed by the job seekers to keep up with the LinkedIn trends.
3Ms – Maximise, Minimise and Modify
Maximize the group presence by acquiring the connection continuation. This is to achieve a good reach of your profile and even to reach recruiter through the respective group.
Minimize the shortcuts to get the perfect job that you require. Because you have to go by the strategic process to find the perfect job whenever you are in need and not by the shortcuts.
Modify or update your #tags, interest, recommendations, and other necessary attributes. Even you have to modify your Summary, like profile headlines, profile picture (with latest one), skills, and others.
- How does the LinkedIn hashtag help in growing connections?
In LinkedIn, the present trend is #tagging. This option can be seen on the LinkedIn page. That is to reach the people of your genre and show them what you are and what you want. Search the keyword and #tag it with your posts. So that people of your niche say the same #tag influencer groups can easily identify you and follow you. Simultaneously, you come to know more influencers or groups who also follow the same #tags. A huge connection is brought towards you in no time. Thus, any recruiter and job seeker need this way of exposing them to this platform to find a good candidate and good position, respectively. Like this, only the LinkedIn #tag helps in growing the connection. Top-rated recruiters and top talents are easily connected and the growth is higher in less time and cost-effective too. #officetruth by Shri Nathan and #prabirinsights by Shri Prabir Jha are great examples, I use #vigyaan and #vivektrivedi in all my posts.
- What LinkedIn Mantra do you suggest to future aspirants or people who are interested in presence on LinkedIn.
My LinkedIn Mantra is simply the 5Cs.
5Cs – Complete, Create, Calendar, Consistency, and Compliment
Complete: Present your profile with all your basic details and ensure that all the details are completely said. When a recruiter checks your profile, the necessary details should not be with any discrete information.
Create: Create good connections, i.e., people who immediately respond to your postings – like, share and comment. In other words, your top sincere followers and positive-minded ones.
Content Calendar: Have a content calendar, i.e., be always ready with your updated content to post in accord with your schedule. So that your followers are always triggered by getting notifications to check out the updates.
Consistency: Keep consistency in keywords and #tags that you use. So that your followers won’t miss you if they are connecting with you after a while.
Compliment: Respond to similar people. Compliment your influencers by liking, sharing, and commenting on their postings and get similar responses from them to your postings also. This mutual action leads your profile to reach the top category recruiters or top talented candidates, either way.
Wrapping it up
Keeping up with the LinkedIn trends is crucial to stay in the loop. Knowing the top hacks will help you to gain quick connections and followers. Each and every little detail matters when it comes to growing as an influencer on LinkedIn. By following these little tips and mantras mentioned in the blog, you can ace LinkedIn like a pro.
“My Personal Experience Says that if you have niche clarity, content calendar ready and Engaging content, your LinkedIn Success is unstoppable” By Vivek Trivedi – Global Coach, Entrepreneur and CEO – Shikshakji.com
