Social networks increasingly represent an important tool for professionals looking for work and for employers in search of qualified labor. career opportunities that were previously hidden from the knowledge of most job seekers.

LinkedIn is a major social network designed specifically for job candidates’ professional relationship options. However, it is not enough to open an account. You need to know how to best employ what it can offer you in your job search. Properly managing your profile settings is critical and makes all the difference for companies to find your profile,” according to many LinkedIn consultants.

“Your LinkedIn profile is one of the ways potential employers can find you. One of the tips is to increase the chances of your name appearing at the top of internet search results. To do this, you need to customize the URL of your profile, putting your first and last name together as one word.

It is also very important that the LinkedIn user’s public profile is visible to everyone. One can ensure this by hovering over their name right at the top of the home page or by making the appropriate changes to the settings. Participating in discussion groups like Jobs IT is also very helpful. In addition to verifying opportunities, you can exchange information with other professionals.

Below are the top 5 LinkedIn tips listed by consulting specialists

1 – Highlight your professional skills: Be sure to fill out the resume and experience sections of your profile. People with at least one professional experience reported that they were 12 times more likely to have missed potential opportunities.

Include keywords and phrases that employers may see in your profile description. Add your skills and be sure to insert an image. Professional photos are seven times more likely to be viewed, and be sure to get recommendations from at least three people as part of your profile completion.

2 – Be open to opportunities: Within “Settings” go to “Email Preferences”, then “Select the type of message you would like to receive” and make sure you have indicated that you are interested in “Career Opportunities” in “Query”. “and that you would like to receive” Network OpenLink Presentations and InMails “from other LinkedIn members, so they can contact you about potential opportunities. Your email and phone number are available only to your contacts.

3 – Become a follower: the “Business” section allows companies that are interested to follow you. When you follow a company on LinkedIn, stay on top of innovations like new hires, promotions, company changes, and even job opportunities. Follow the companies you’d love to work for and you’ll start seeing these updates on your home page when you sign in to LinkedIn.

To follow a business, simply click “Business” at the top of the page and type in the business name, keyword, or industry you’re interested in. When you find the business, hover over the “Follow Business” option on the right. Then just click on it. While you’re on the company page, you’ll be able to see if anyone in your network works at the company or if you know someone there.

4 – Stay active: There are many things you can do on LinkedIn that will help you find your new job. You must be proactive in your use of the network to be successful. It’s important to create a LinkedIn profile and make sure you’re connected to at least 50 people you know and trust. But if you’re only visiting the site to respond to messages or connection requests, then you’re missing out on everything the web has to offer.

To be easily remembered, network with recruiters and hiring managers in your area, so when good opportunities come up on their desks, you’ll be fresh in their memory. You can do it through the “Advanced People Search”, click on the topic “recruiter” or “HR manager” or other related positions, and you can also narrow the search area.

5 – Tell your trusted contacts that you are looking for a job: Let your network be your eyes and ears. Alert your contacts through regular status updates or send private messages to ex-colleagues and bosses you trust with personalized messages, advising them what kind of positions interest you. Keep in mind that your connections can only help you get a job if you tell them what you’re looking for.