When it came to updating the Applications section Bill helped me understand each of them and select a few. Bill: 'WordPress, do you have a blog?' Rux: 'No', Bill: 'SlideShare Presentation, did you do any presentations?' Rux: 'No', Bill: 'Box.Net Files, do you have any files to upload?' Rux: 'No, only my CV' Bill: 'Ok', Bill: 'Events, any event except #trulondon?' Rux: 'No'. That was the time when I thought 'Oh my God no one will want to employ me, I have not done enough in this student life'. Bill said: 'Not to worry, these gaps on your profile will be filled in a few weeks time.' That was so true because new presentations came, I set up my blog, I am about to attend another Truevent…I do not feel that bad about myself anymore, I have actually realised that I can't have all at once, it does take time to achieve quality things.
As disappointed as I was about my poor Applications section, I went on updating my Skills section. I then realised that my situation was not that bad. After taking two psychometric tests, reflecting and doing some introspection, I had a clear image about my skills, and found it very easy to express them in term of level and experience. I then realised how useful that was when it came to interviews where employers asked me about my skills.
Once I felt my LinkedIn profile was 'decent' enough and I had green from Bill, I started to join recruitment related groups. In the case of some of them I was lucky enough because they were open ones, or the group managers granted me access immediately. There were also groups for which my request was pending for 3-4 days this is why I sent messages to each group manager introducing myself and stating how important it was for my job hunt to become a member. The method was successful, and I became member of approximately 45 groups in about 10 days.
What was next? I downloaded an application called LinkedIn JobsInsider which came together with Share In LinkedIn, a feature meant to help me share my posts in all groups I belonged to.
I used this feature to introduce myself in all groups I was a member of, and seek advice for finding the job I wanted. The results were great. Many nice people, most of them with notable experience in recruitment, gave me names of recruiters I should contact, recommended companies, advised on how to approach possible employers or kindly encouraged me. All these led to me gaining more courage, boosting confidence, and set myself up for the load of work that was about to come.
Don't think that my Twitter or Facebook accounts were sleeping in the meanwhile. I shared my resume on Facebook using LinkedIn Resume Labs, and I made sure that any new follower on Twitter who could potentially be interested in myself got an invite to check my LinkedIn profile and give advice on it. Both my resume and LinkedIn profile link can easily be accessed from my Twitter bio.
Preparation done! Action taken! How about the results?