"Keeping options open" 01/06/16 Edition Stephen Says Column

 Dear Stephen,

 
 Keeping Options Open:
 
 I am not one to actively job search, and I’m currently happy with my position, but I always want to be visible to companies and know what my options are. What is the best way to get on the radar of prospective employers, particularly competitors of my current employer? How do I get noticed and considered for other jobs, even if I ultimately decide to stay where I am? How important is LinkedIn? Does it really help?

 
 Stephen:
 
 This question applies to people who work in all fields, whether you are in design, project management, sales, dealer manufacturer — even a CEO. Your resume should always be up-to-date, even if you only use it as a reference point with your employer for your annual review. Sometimes bosses do not know the additional responsibilities you have taken on over the past year. Presenting your resume at an annual review shows them what you’ve been up to and sends a subliminal message that you have it ready if they don’t treat you right LinkedIn is one of the most important tools today. It is synonymous with networking, which has always been essential to workers in this business. 
 
 Your LinkedIn profile should always be as up-to-date as your resume and reiterate your resume exactly. Here is a little known secret: as important as having your LinkedIn profile up-to-date, is having your picture on LinkedIn. Yes, the picture. Remember that old adage that a picture is worth a 100 words? Sayings don’t usually become clichés without being true. The picture on your profile should represent the same look as you would have going on an interview.

Invest some time and money if need be, but make sure your LinkedIn picture looks professional. Do not use a picture with you wearing sunglasses; you’re not the Fonz. Do not use a picture with your husband or wife, no matter how attractive they may be. And do not use the same picture you would use on match.com, no matter how attractive you are. Simple and professional, that’s the goal. Please believe me, the photo is more important than you think.
 
 Let’s say you are applying for a job at a manufacturer. You may have several local interviews but some HR person may just interview on the phone from Grand Rapids and can only see you on LinkedIn. Skype is not as prevalent as you may think, and that is a separate issue for a future column. So, yes as un-PC as it seems and maybe as unfair as it is, these people will be looking at your picture, and you will need to present yourself well if you want to get the job. LinkedIn is an essential tool to get yourself noticed and to get on other companies’ radars.
 
 Additionally, you should post relevant industry facts and stories on social media and industry forums and join industry groups. However, do not over-post like my teenage son on Facebook. And speaking of social media, why not make your Facebook “private” while in job-seeking-mode. Why let someone in on your personal Facebook to make a judgment on something they do not need to know about and has no relevance to your professional life. It would nice to be to think, that does not happen, but both employers and employees tell me it does. Someone looking to hire you should only be seeing those parts of your Facebook that you want them to see, and you shouldn’t want them to see pictures of you kissing your dog.
 
 So long story short, retake that LinkedIn photo, and as Donald Trump would say: look like a winner.
 
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 You can send your workplace questions to Stephen at StephenSays@bellow.press. Questions selected to be answered, will appear in this column. Please use the Subject: Stephen Says for all emails. Stephen Viscusi is a bestselling author, television personality, and CEO of The Viscusi Group, global executive recruiters located in New York. Follow Stephen on Twitter @WorkplaceGuru, Like Stephen on Facebook; and follow him on LinkedIn.