Link to Your Next Job!
20/Dec/08 13:42 Filed in: Careers,
Branding
Have you been on LinkedIn for a while but been
puzzled how to use it effectively ? Or heard of it
but wondered why you'd want a profile, connections,
and all that jazz? This post might answer those
questions - you can use LinkedIn to link to your next
job!
Recently I attended a LinkedIn Workshop for Jobseekers put on by Mike O'Neil and Lori Ruff of Integrated Alliances. The session was a couple of hours in length and contained some wonderful content and ideas, so I thought I might share a few key tips that I learned and which I hope will help you in your own job search. Even if you're not currently looking for a job, understanding some of the features of the site and how others might be using it may also give you inspiration when you are looking to build your own online brand. NOTE: All of the below information was adapted from training materials provided by Integrated Alliances (www.integratedalliances.com) or Lauren's notes from the LinkedIn Jobseeker training.
LINKED IN OVERVIEW
LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) is the #1 online Business and Social Network with over 30 million users worldwide. Most members are business professionals: Avg household income: $109k, Avg years experience: 15, Avg age: 41, 36% are "decision-makers."
LINKED IN SEARCHING (DATA MINING)
Under People tab, there is an Advanced People Search option.
You can use Keyword search to find text anywhere in profiles. You can even use Boolean searches (think Algebra with words) to refine searches. For example:
(Software OR Applications OR "Software Engineering) AND (Manager OR Supervisor)
(Sales OR Marketing OR "Development") AND ("Product Manager" OR Manager OR Supervisor OR Director)
You can use Location area to localize the search. Free accounts search within 50 miles of a zip code.
A new feature is the Company search by industry, name or corporate profile. Use this to identify target companies, and people in your network with whom you can develop a relationship, and who can become your cheerleaders/champions in the organization. TIP: Look for people who have LION (Linked In Open Networker) or "Open Networker" in their profile - they are typically open and generous with their Linked In contacts.
Search results always show anyone in your network who is fits the search criteria. Sort by Degrees Away From You to see who is the easiest contact to reach.
JOB SEEKING TIPS
- A LinkedIn Profile is NOT a resume. Make sure there are no glaring discrepancies between profile and resume. You don't have to, but should, list all previous jobs.
- Search Jobs on LinkedIn - many are only found on LinkedIn.
- Send messages to job posters.
- Practice good etiquette: Be courteous, thank you and please, respond promptly (within 24 hours), be a giver not a taker - see what you can do for others, use Introductions sparingly.
- Get on every day or every other day.
- List your email address and phone number in your Contact Settings
- Join as many relevant Groups as you can.
- The larger your Connection list on LinkedIn is, the more people in your network who might be able to help you AND the more likely you will be able to help others through your direct connections (they will want to link to people with larger connections lists).
- If you find a posting (anywhere) for a position at a company that interests you, use the Company search to find out more about the organization and see who in your network is connected at the company. Develop cheerleaders/champions by fostering good relationships with people in the organization.
OTHER RESOURCES
LinkedIn JobInsider (LinkedIn Tools) - works in conjunction with Monster, Craig's List, CareerBuilder, etc. to show who you're linked to at that company.
I'm on LinkedIn - Now What? by Jason Alba
The Virtual Handshake - by David Teten & ?
Integrated Alliances - LinkedIn Training and Networking Events: www.integratedalliances.com
Recently I attended a LinkedIn Workshop for Jobseekers put on by Mike O'Neil and Lori Ruff of Integrated Alliances. The session was a couple of hours in length and contained some wonderful content and ideas, so I thought I might share a few key tips that I learned and which I hope will help you in your own job search. Even if you're not currently looking for a job, understanding some of the features of the site and how others might be using it may also give you inspiration when you are looking to build your own online brand. NOTE: All of the below information was adapted from training materials provided by Integrated Alliances (www.integratedalliances.com) or Lauren's notes from the LinkedIn Jobseeker training.
LINKED IN OVERVIEW
LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) is the #1 online Business and Social Network with over 30 million users worldwide. Most members are business professionals: Avg household income: $109k, Avg years experience: 15, Avg age: 41, 36% are "decision-makers."
LINKED IN SEARCHING (DATA MINING)
Under People tab, there is an Advanced People Search option.
You can use Keyword search to find text anywhere in profiles. You can even use Boolean searches (think Algebra with words) to refine searches. For example:
(Software OR Applications OR "Software Engineering) AND (Manager OR Supervisor)
(Sales OR Marketing OR "Development") AND ("Product Manager" OR Manager OR Supervisor OR Director)
You can use Location area to localize the search. Free accounts search within 50 miles of a zip code.
A new feature is the Company search by industry, name or corporate profile. Use this to identify target companies, and people in your network with whom you can develop a relationship, and who can become your cheerleaders/champions in the organization. TIP: Look for people who have LION (Linked In Open Networker) or "Open Networker" in their profile - they are typically open and generous with their Linked In contacts.
Search results always show anyone in your network who is fits the search criteria. Sort by Degrees Away From You to see who is the easiest contact to reach.
JOB SEEKING TIPS
- A LinkedIn Profile is NOT a resume. Make sure there are no glaring discrepancies between profile and resume. You don't have to, but should, list all previous jobs.
- Search Jobs on LinkedIn - many are only found on LinkedIn.
- Send messages to job posters.
- Practice good etiquette: Be courteous, thank you and please, respond promptly (within 24 hours), be a giver not a taker - see what you can do for others, use Introductions sparingly.
- Get on every day or every other day.
- List your email address and phone number in your Contact Settings
- Join as many relevant Groups as you can.
- The larger your Connection list on LinkedIn is, the more people in your network who might be able to help you AND the more likely you will be able to help others through your direct connections (they will want to link to people with larger connections lists).
- If you find a posting (anywhere) for a position at a company that interests you, use the Company search to find out more about the organization and see who in your network is connected at the company. Develop cheerleaders/champions by fostering good relationships with people in the organization.
OTHER RESOURCES
LinkedIn JobInsider (LinkedIn Tools) - works in conjunction with Monster, Craig's List, CareerBuilder, etc. to show who you're linked to at that company.
I'm on LinkedIn - Now What? by Jason Alba
The Virtual Handshake - by David Teten & ?
Integrated Alliances - LinkedIn Training and Networking Events: www.integratedalliances.com