The Career Thought Leaders Consortium has published findings from the 2013 Global Career Brainstorming Day. What is "Brain Day"? It is an event where career professionals meet to brainstorm trends and best practices in the now, the new, and the next in careers. Events are held in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and Russia.
This Career Brainfood is the third in a series in which we will share highlights from the Brainstorming Day Whitepaper. Here are this edition's insights:
1. While resumes are still “must-have” documents, other career communications have become primary – in some instances. A LinkedIn profile or executive bio may serve as the door-opener, while the resume then transitions into a follow-on tool.
2. LinkedIn is almost universally endorsed. It is a useful tool for maintaining control of online identity and is important because the more passive candidates are being found that way. Many believe that candidates who are not on social media are not getting hired. That said, LinkedIn is still not widely popular in certain fields (educators, factory workers, machinists).
3. A LinkedIn profile is effective for clients transitioning to a different industry or different career, more so than a traditional resume would be because you can include so much more information.
4. LinkedIn’s supported conferences within groups are very successful. Hundreds of people can be on the call with the comments page open. It’s a great way of job seekers to engage, find others, and be found.
5. The “company insights” page on LinkedIn shows top skills of employees – a good tool for clients to use when assessing their fit with an organization.
6. Organizations are using LinkedIn to recruit directly and reduce recruitment costs. This has changed the hiring landscape at its very core and impacted just about every industry and profession.
7. The top two ways companies find people are through LinkedIn and company referrals, according to Jobvite.
