Ready to connect? As you start on the path to creating one of the best LinkedIn profiles out there, be sure to think big: How can you jump-start a conversation? How are you promoting your brand – your skills, expertise, and even your personality? But how to update your LinkedIn profile to be an authentic and engaging version of yourself isn’t just a one-step process.

Read on for our LinkedIn profile best practices.

1. Remember: You are more than your resume

Of course, your summary and job experience are absolutely essential, but this is also the time to let your personality shine. The best LinkedIn profiles also have a personal tagline, engaging photo, and a summary that doubles as your digital elevator pitch.

2. Your skills = Your keywords

When you look at “People also viewed” or “Who viewed your profile,” what comes up? Is it related to your career and interests? If it doesn’t, try changing up the wording in your skills section. It allows LinkedIn to better understand who you are and lets others in your industry find you easier.

3. Post often. Post smart.

Fewer than a third of users post at least once a month. Regularly posting means you’re regularly popping up on your Connections’ feeds. Stay away from bragging about yourself or your company – and instead share new insights you’ve learned from an article or virtual webinar. Or, post and ask your network for advice and insights.

4. Be social on your social

What you like, share, or comment on is visible to your network, so be purposeful in your interactions. Make sure to congratulate others on their latest successes or anniversaries, let someone know when you’re visiting their area – and in general, just try to share once or twice every time you log in.

5. Find your groups

When you join LinkedIn groups that reflect your interests, make sure to do some research on the group itself. What are the tone and the conversation like? Start by commenting on others’ posts and asking questions. (Avoid self-promotion!) As you become one of the “regulars,” you can slowly reach out to individuals and build 1:1 connections.

6. Ask for recommendations

You know which colleagues, clients, or managers can truly articulate your skills and work ethic. When you reach out for a LinkedIn recommendation, ask them to focus on the traits that made you stand out. Be sure to focus on the few who can give you a quality (and specific) recommendation

7. Showcase yourself

LinkedIn can be about more than sharing your accomplishments and awards (though it is great for that). Share your interests and association memberships with your network. Also, connect your website to your profile: It’s a simple way to enhance your profile (and your Google search results).

8. Make connections

Don’t just start sending requests out into the void. First of all, LinkedIn can mark your messages as spam and restrict your ability to send notes. Second, you want to find people who match up with your interests and send them a relevant, personal message.

Modeling your account after the best LinkedIn profiles takes some work. Still, it pays off the more time you dedicate to it – whether you’re actively looking for new career opportunities or just want to keep your options open. If you need more job search help or are ready to make a change, start with Adecco. We’re looking to connect candidates across the country with the right job for their success.

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The post How to update your LinkedIn profile for 2022 appeared first on Paragon Strategic Staffing.

85% of the jobs that will be in demand in 2030 haven’t even been invented yet. These new jobs, and the new skills required to do these new jobs, stem from the shift toward the green economy or an economy based on lowering environmental risks.

Is your resume ready to impress employers taking a greener approach? According to research in our white paper, Skills for the Green Economy, the energy sector alone can produce 18 million new jobs if workers have the right skills (or can be trained on these skills) to adapt to green practices.

Here are the top opportunities to look out for and green economy skills to add to your resume:

Green skills will drive the automobile industry

In just five years over 1/3 of all cars sold will be electric vehicles, hybrids, or plug-ins. As a result, automobile companies will look for new talent with the right skills to drive their business through this transition. The jobs that will need filling? Network engineers and software specialists to help design vehicles, mechanics and manufacturers to produce batteries, and educated salesforce members to sell new products.

A whole range of skills from software design to systems analysis will be in-demand for the automobile sector. Want to learn these skills and add them to your resume? Our sister company, Modis, has developed a state-of-the-art reskilling program where you can get trained to work for the automobile industry and more.

Maintenance will make a big comeback

Reduce, reuse, repair? As Americans are shifting to throwing out less and recycling more, households will make an effort to maintain products like appliances and electronics instead of buying more. Even Ikea, famed for being the face of the “fast furniture” industry, will focus on offering repair and maintenance services to prolong the life span of their products.

According to new Pew research, demand for mechanical skills like repairing and system maintenance will see a 27% increase in the new green economy. Highlight these skills for the green economy on your resume, along with knowledge of specific equipment and your ability to problem-solve to help you land a future maintenance job.

Analytical skills are increasing in importance

The trend in future work isn’t just going greener. It’s going smarter, too. As we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution, technology continues to permeate the workforce, edging into traditionally manual jobs like warehousing, too.

How exactly? Fields like warehousing rely more and more on computer programming to run complex machinery and systems analysis to maintain their supply chain. According to Pew, system analysis rates as the most critical analytical skill for the green economy, while programming is the green skill that will increase in demand the most.

But soft skills will still reign supreme

While technology will help shape green economy skills, soft skills will remain fundamental. When asked to rate 35 skills on importance, employers listed soft skills as the top four most crucial. In order of importance, they are active listening, speaking, critical thinking, and reading comprehension.

Learning how to sell your soft skills will be increasingly important on both your resume and in your job interview. Instead of listing basic skills like “speaking,” give examples of meetings you’ve led, or presentations given. With 92% of recruiters agreeing that soft skills are as important (or more important) than hard skills, don’t overlook the importance of these on your resume.

How do I get these skills?

Whether you need training on analytical skills or want to expand your soft skills, the Adecco Aspire Academy can help. Through a partnership between the Adecco Foundation US and Penn Foster, courses ranging from “Warehousing and Distribution” to “Stress and Time Management” are available to you free of charge. Enroll now and check out what green skills you can learn.

At Adecco, we’re here to help you through every stage of your career. Whether you’re returning to work, looking for a new opportunity, or just starting out in the workforce, you can find support from one of our local recruiting teams.

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The post How-To: Update your resume with skills for the green economy appeared first on Paragon Strategic Staffing.

Hard skills on your resume might be what get you noticed. But it’s your ‘soft skills’ that will make you a stand-out candidate at the interview (and move you up the ladder when you’re in a job.) Below, find out why soft skills are so critical these days and how to show your human side to land the job.

So, what are soft skills in the workplace?

Think back to your favorite teacher, manager, or sports coach. You remember them because they made you feel encouraged, listened to, and understood. Soft skills – like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and interpersonal skills – are critical for success but can be challenging to quantify. They’re the skills that make you a better colleague, a better leader, a better human being. The skills that make people trust and value you.

Why are soft skills so in-demand right now?

Email, messaging apps, and emojis are substituting eye contact and conversation. But it has created a disconnect. Closing this ‘soft skills gap’ is key to building high-performing teams and market-leading organizations.Indeed, the number of companies addressing empathy and interpersonal skills doubled in 2020.

How to best communicate your ‘soft skills’ in a resume?

A convincing description of your soft skills alongside your hard skills list can tip the balance as to whether your resume lands on the hiring manager’s desk or the reject pile. Instead of a dry list of words like ‘teamwork,’ or ‘influencing skills’ say, ‘Organized weekly get-togethers to improve morale and communication.’ And ensure your examples align with the job level. While ‘effective communication skills’ might suffice for an entry-level position, a manager role will demand more demanding soft skills like influencing and conflict-resolution.

How to showcase your soft skills in an interview?

The words you choose. Your tone of voice. Your body language. They’re all channels for demonstrating your enthusiasm and ability to connect with others. Before the day, practice talking about your experience out loud with clear, concise answers. Be ready to answer questions about soft skills:

Problem-solving skills: Interviewers probe your problem-solving skills to gauge your ability to gather and analyze information, make logical decisions, and build solutions. Think of tangible situations where you used your soft skills creatively to overcome challenges.

Values: How would ex-colleagues describe you as a person? What charities or causes are important to you? Interviewers ask these types of questions to determine whether you have the soft skills to bring together your colleagues around the company’s shared purpose. Do your homework and show how your values align with those of your target firm.

Empathy and emotional intelligence: Tell us about a time you handled a demanding customer. When did you use your conflict resolution skills to diffuse a challenging team situation? Gather examples of how you have used your soft skills to communicate effectively and positively influence colleagues at all levels.

Teamwork: Strong teamwork differentiates leading firms from the rest. Interviewers will want to judge whether you can bond with all types of people. They’ll also want to weed out selfish or egotistical ‘lone wolves’ who can wreak havoc with a team’s equilibrium. Use anecdotes that describe your role in the team effort, the contributions you made, and what your team accomplished.

Adaptability and resilience: Today’s complex working world means quickly adjusting to – and recovering from – new situations and challenges. Interviewers need to know that you’re open-minded, welcome new opportunities, and won’t freak out if you need to do something that falls outside your job scope. Come prepared with examples of how you have successfully navigated a fast-changing environment.

While hard skills are indispensable, employers fight to hire, retain, and promote people with the right mix of interpersonal abilities. Showcasing your soft skills throughout your job search is the best way to apply for a job.

At Adecco, we’re here to support you every step of the way to finding a great job and getting better at it. Our Aspire Academy offers free access to re-skilling and upskilling programs in a range of hard skills. And check out our blog for helpful articles, from tips on how to make a big career change, to looking after your mental health at work.

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The post Selling your soft skills appeared first on Paragon Strategic Staffing.

It can be hard to course-correct once you’re on a particular career path, but the pandemic is triggering millions of Americans to do just that. Nearly 2 in 5 knowledge workers globally are changing or considering new careers.

So, what about you? Itching to get out from behind your desk? Or maybe you’re ready to get out of customer service? Or did the pandemic make the decision for you? Whatever your motivations, here are the questions to ask yourself to build the career you love.

What makes me happy?

You might not be doing what you always dreamt of doing, but are you on the right track? Start by examining your current job and the things that make you happy outside of work. Is there a way you can steer them closer together? Focusing on the parts of your job that you enjoy will help you narrow down what you want to achieve in your career.

Who could I talk to?

Are you truly stuck in a rut at work? Or is your current job helping you build your skills and connect with the right people? It helps to talk to people whose career paths you admire. They can give you an inside look at their day-to-day and give you advice on next steps you should take.

Should I join a growing industry?

While the pandemic decimated some industries, others simply can’t find enough workers. For example, 9 of the fastest-growing jobs in America are in healthcare, while demand for ‘green jobs’ like wind turbine technicians and solar panel installers is soaring. There’s a labor crunch in the tech sector, too. Changing careers can be challenging, so moving to an in-demand or high-paying role can make the hard work worth it.

What types of skills do I have?

Every employer who is hiring is trying to solve a problem. And the most convincing candidates show how they’re the solution to that problem. Take an inventory of your skills – including those that might not seem relevant at first. Don’t discredit experiences that aren’t an exact fit with your target role. And remember, soft skills – traits that speak to your character – are increasingly valued today. They’re what separate us from the bots. So be your own best advocate and show how you’re a great-to-work with kind of person.

Am I missing other important skills?

The opportunities are endless for people who are willing to pivot to fast-growing sectors, but don’t worry if some may require experience you don’t have yet. Our Aspire Academy offers free access to re-skilling and upskilling programs, including blueprint reading, machining, administrative skills, and management.

Can I test drive a new career?

All of these are clues as to the work you should be doing. Write them down, look for patterns, and pivot your career goals accordingly. Be sure to consider taking on a temporary assignment in your target sector. Not only will you gain relevant experience and network, but you can give it a trial run before committing to the long haul.

At Adecco, we believe there’s a great job for everyone. We’ve got your back when you decide to transition into a role that you love. Explore job openings in your area, or reach out to your local branch to learn more.

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