Picking up where we left off last week, Bryn Johnson ’89 provides additional insight on how job seekers can use LinkedIn to continue building their network with these four simple tips. Take a look below:
Research Companies
Researching companies. This is one of my favorite ways to use this remarkable LinkedIn database.
Certainly you can do a quick search for a company in the search box in the top right-hand corner of the home page. However, I prefer to have more choices with which to filter my results by using the Companies tab on the navigation at the top of the page. Your search results will lead you to the LinkedIn Company page that has some really great information to use for company research.
On that Company page, you can see if you’re connected to anyone who currently works there or has worked there in the past by reviewing the section that lists first and second degree Connections. Here’s another idea: Click on that Company tab in the top navigation, enter the company and then use the advanced filter options on the left side to choose women who graduated from Wellesley College or people located in your city. You may not even realize that you have a direct connection to your ideal employer.
Start with that first degree Connection to your ideal employer and write a polite, concise LinkedIn message to your first degree Connection asking if he or she would be willing to have a conversation with you about the employer, the culture, hiring practices, etc. In my experience, a note like this is much more effective than asking that particular Connection to pass along your resume.
If you don’t have a first degree Connection, you may need to ask a first degree Connection for an introduction to a second degree Connection at your ideal employer. Never be afraid to ask for an introduction.
Hint: For all you mid-career transition and networking enthusiasts, use this feature to connect with employees (past or present) of your dream employer. Trust me, you will get hooked on this action if you are not already because one of the most critical strategies to use for networking or job search is to find personal connections to a company.
Hint: Think outside the box. Looking for specific companies is a great way to search for connections and information, but using the search box at the top of the LinkedIn navigation bar to type in titles, possible department names and other keywords is another great way to find Connections of interest.
Join Groups
It’s time to stop hiding and let people know you are here- that you are interested or even an expert in certain areas. The more you join the LinkedIn conversation, the more traffic you will drive to your profile. The strategy here is to drive quality traffic. People who want to engage in similar conversations. LinkedIn Groups are a great way to get known and understand who has a visible presence on this social networking site surrounding your hot topic.
Group discussions- actually participating not just joining a group or two and ignoring them- have several advantages for you. First, as we have noted, you will make great contacts in your current industry or an industry or function you are exploring. You will need to apply and be accepted to the group by the leader. Once you are a member, you can even start discussions asking for advice related to your job search, such as recommendations for good sites to research further or blogs to read. People who actually participate build a rapport quickly in these groups. In addition, recruiters have been known to “lurk” in the most active and influential groups to look for knowledgeable leaders, contributors and influencers. Sounds like a place you’d like to be, yes?
Hint: This is about quality not quantity. Look for LinkedIn Groups that are active and flourishing. There are many groups that only have a handful of members and they will dilute your profile. Don’t be seen as “joiner”, but rather a “contributor”. However, don’t go overboard. Balance the contribution and the listening. In addition, within your settings consider limiting what others can view by “changing your visibility” so only 3 to 5 of the most important groups to you can be seen. Consider it from the perspective of the hiring manager or key contacts.
Seek Recommendations
What a great way to back up your claims or say the things that you would simply never incorporate into your profile because it feels like you are bragging. The Recommendations feature allows people who’ve worked together in an organization or on a project to support one another- simply and easily.
The recommendation process has been streamlined by LinkedIn for both you- the requester- and the person you are asking. There is a prompting process allowing you to make the request in a free form note via LinkedIn and allows the person to respond by creating the recommendation through a step-by-step easy process. The requests and recommendations only need to be a few sentences long.
Don’t be shy! It never hurts to ask. However, choose wisely. Ask those for whom you have performed well – who were partners, clients or managers on a project. If you are a student or an active job seeker with a number of recommendation letters already written and in your “file”, leverage these. Connect with that professor, former employer or internship manager and ask him/her to transfer the same write up to LinkedIn.
Hint: Generosity is a great networking tool. Are there individuals that you should be recommending – in an unsolicited fashion? Think about it and commit to a few of them. Write that recommendation on LinkedIn and surprise them. No agenda other than to be generous. It will come back to you in so many ways.
Share updates
Yes, LinkedIn, like every other social network, has implemented a status update feature. At this time, it is not used as interactively as status updates on social media vehicles such as Facebook or Twitter but it can really work to your advantage in this networking and job-seeking environment. Keep your Connections up to date regarding your volunteer work, skills building or networking activities. Talk about a project you are working on or a recent Connection you made. Keep it conversational. Let your personality shine through a little! This lets employers know that you’re being active and creative in your job search or networking efforts. In addition, when someone comes to your profile for the first time, there is not a static page staring back at them. Instead, it is an active page with updates, new Connections and group activity.
Hint: Set a goal for yourself because for most people, updating your LinkedIn status box is not a priority. Does it make sense to update your status once a week or a few times a week? What feels comfortable to you? Then commit and write it on your calendar or on your to-do list.
Bryn Johnson ’89 is a business and career strategist. She founded Bryn Johnson Consulting from her passion of working with small business owners to make the complicated areas of business simple and fun. Bryn Johnson Consulting is simply a combination of all business conversations Bryn loves to have – strategy, career management, personal development, social media, technology, recruiting, communications and networking.