Benefits of using LinkedIn for Candidates for Private Household Roles
From a candidate’s perspective the benefits of using LinkedIn, as part of the process of finding, interviewing for, gaining and progressing within a role in the private household sector, are many and noteworthy.
At a basic level, LinkedIn is somewhere where available jobs are often posted, however the platform offers a great deal more than this. As we all know, job-seeking can be a tough business in its own right, and the tools and resources on offer on LinkedIn can be genuinely useful in helping you to more forward. For example, groups, forums and so on allow you to meet and converse with people in a similar position to your own, as well potential employers or those who have already made the leap you’re hoping to. Similarly, following organisations or individuals of interest to you helps you gain access to news and information, demonstrate your own expertise and make new, highly relevant, connections.
Benefit 1: Gain exposure and build a network with like-minded, relevantly-skilled people within your area of expertise. LinkedIn allows you to build a highly focussed online network – akin to your own brand – which will make you visible to others in the right industry and area. This can put you directly in the line of sight of key people by whom you wish to be seen.
Tip: Treat your LinkedIn profile as your professional online persona, like an extension of your CV. Therefore it’s really important to behave professionally at all times, in order to sell yourself in the best possible light. Don’t include any unnecessary personal details.
Benefit 2: Demonstrate your ability, credibility and leadership. LinkedIn helps to establish your presence within your area of expertise, building credibility and trust with potential employers. They will be able to see your professionalism through the online presence you have created, including recommendations and other evidence of the value you could add to their organisation.
Tip: Build your network. Connect with people in the realm of your professional interests, building rapport. The larger your circle of connections within the appropriate areas of expertise, the greater the chance of connecting with the “right” people.
Benefit 3: LinkedIn can be an excellent research tool. You can use the site to delve deeper into potential employers and organisations, as well as the people within – for example, family office leaders, household or estate managers, butlers, or others in charge of recruitment.
Tip: Use LinkedIn to research notable people and potential employers, by connecting and building professional rapport. Be aware that too friendly an approach could come across as somewhat unprofessional, but too cold and aloof could make you appear unapproachable. There’s a balance to be struck through good judgement.
Benefit 4: As mentioned briefly earlier, LinkedIn is a great place to find posted jobs – in fact it’s so popular with employers that you might find opportunities there that have not been shared elsewhere. As well as applying for these roles through traditional means, you can apply directly using LinkedIn. In addition to this you’re able to save searches, and flag up to potential employers that you are open to hearing about opportunities.
Tip: Although there are means and vehicles to apply via LinkedIn itself, pay attention to instructions in the job listing – if it says send your CV in the first instance then do so. Avoid doing things like commenting “interested”, or calling the recruitment consultant (unless instructed to do so) and trying to push yourself to the front of the queue. The best thing to do is to let your skills speak through the medium of your CV and LinkedIn profile – recruiters always pay attention to the details, and a quiet, confident approach can set you apart.
Benefit 5: Join LinkedIn Groups. Groups are a good way to meet others with similar professional interests and aspirations, to expand your network and to take part in discussions. By doing this you’ll be able to show your knowledge and expertise, ask questions and start conversations with the “right” people.
Tip: You’ll need to remain active in groups you join, and take part in the discussions to benefit from them. However, don’t be too pushy, reveal too much, or try to be at the forefront of every conversation – sometimes less is more, and a subtle, professionally-worded presence could help steer you in the right direction.
Pembury partners places people into roles in Private Households at all levels, and we love to hear from the best candidates in the field. Join us on LinkedIn here.
