Looking for freight broker jobs? The next best, and most powerful, tool you can use—after friends you have developed in freight broker training school—is LinkedIn, the social networking site for business
professionals.
Last year, one in six people found new jobs from contacts on social media sites. Only a few though were able to maximize the potential that LinkedIn provided for job hunters. Don’t be like them. Here are nine ways LinkedIn can put your freight broker job hunting on steroids:
1. Complete an awesome freight broker profile on LinkedIn.
Hiring managers continually scour LinkedIn for potential new hires. Put your best foot forward by giving them what they’re looking for. Create a profile that not only contains your educational history or professional background but uses such industry keywords as “freight
broker”, “logistics”, “transportation”, “trucking” and the like. Place them in strategic areas like your profile description, summary of qualifications, work history, and job descriptions.
2. Actively start building your network of other freight brokers, transportation executives and industry honchos.
Connect with people in the logistics and transportation industry regularly. Take advantage of LinkedIn’s search tool to find like-minded people then introduce yourself and why you want to connect. When you interact with them, think: “What can I do for this person?” NOT “What can this
person do for me?” A word of caution: don’t spam or stalk. Real world etiquette still applies on LinkedIn otherwise you’ll turn off people who can help you find your next freight broker position.
3. Utilize the job search tool in LinkedIn to find freight broker jobs.
Under the Jobs category on the top navigation bar, there’s the Find Jobs page. Key in the position you want. For example, use “freight broker,” “freight agent,” or “property broker” as keywords. In the results page, you can refine your search further: by location, by relationship, or by company.
4. Take advantage of the “Companies in your network” link on LinkedIn’s job search page.
If many of your connections work in the freight brokerage industry, chances are their companies are also listed on LinkedIn. They may have openings for freight brokers that are sitting quietly on their company’s profile page, just waiting for you to apply.
5. Tell your network you’re looking for freight broker jobs.
On LinkedIn, it’s common to ask your connections for leads to job openings in their companies. Tap into these as well as the connections of your contacts. Ask to be introduced to their friends who may have job openings in their workplace. Your new post as a freight broker in a respected logistics company may just be in the company of one of your connections’ clients.
6. Ask colleagues (old and new) for recommendations.
LinkedIn allows freight brokers and agents you’ve worked with to write recommendations for you. These references naturally focus on your strengths and capabilities so hiring managers who’re on the lookout for your skills will surely see it.
7. Follow companies where you want to work.
Search for companies in the industry. They may be looking for freight brokers with your particular knowledge and expertise. Follow these companies to get updated on their activities, new hires and openings. Also, check if you have contacts working in these companies. If you have friends working there, forward them your resume and ask them to refer you to their hiring managers. And if you have the guts for it, interview the employees to get an insider’s look on how they got hired.
8. Join Groups and start participating in discussions.
Groups work much like a regular forum and they’re categorized by interest or industry. Again, use LinkedIn’s search tool to find Groups fit for freight brokers. Answer questions, post industry-related news, ask others to clarify things, and lend out a helping hand. Sometimes group members also post job openings. As you help, you’re building your authority when that job opportunity comes, you’ll be first in their shortlists.
9. Utilize the Insights tab in Company Profiles.
Insights show the connections of that company’s employees with the employees of other companies in the industry. Often, these companies reflect where freight brokers in their employ have come from and where they’re going to. This is another lead for you to see which companies are in need of freight brokers like you.
Use one, two or all of these strategies to finding your next freight broker job. The chances of you landing on a potential employers’ shortlist of candidates are higher than when your LinkedIn profile’s just there for the sake of being there.
