Making the Most of Linked In

I was not actively job-hunting in early 2009, when I registered with Linked In. There were some corporate trends indicating that my position might be in jeopardy, and that compelled me to join the professional online community. After the initial set up, my visits to my profile page were so infrequent that I had to change my password each time I logged in because I just could not remember it. At the end of 2011, my number came up in the downsizing lottery. I turned to the Linked In community for cyber comfort and I began to really examine what this networking tool had to offer.

A quick and easy read.

I started by reading Wayne Breitbarth’s popular book Power Formula for Linked In Success. I highly recommend this book for Linked In novices, as it will provide basic instruction for using this online professional profile tool. I would also recommend this book for people -- like me -- who were on Linked In for years but not utilizing it’s potential. I found several helpful tips within the pages that made my Linked In user experience more productive and enjoyable.

Here are a few things I’ve learned over the last year of active Linked In use:

Recommendations

The first thing I did when I began my job search was to ask my connections for recommendations. I received several “generic” critiques like, “Cheryl is a nice person” and “She is always cheerful.” While the sentiments are appreciated, they don’t speak to the quality of work done or the type of projects handled.

For those giving recommendations, I would advise addressing one specific instance when a coworker’s cheerfulness was appropriate in a stressful situation, maybe dealing with an upset customer or a tight deadline. If you can’t think of something off the top of your head, ask your colleague if there were anything specific they would like you to address.

For those seeking recommendations, you need to remember that not every colleague is a prolific writer and may have trouble articulating thoughts. Do not be afraid to offer a suggestion, such as: “Remember the time that (fill in the blank with a specific unexpected situation) came up? You and I worked together to resolve that situation. Could you comment on that?”

If there are typos, don’t be afraid to go back to your contact and ask for a rewrite. Accuracy and presentation will be beneficial to both of you in the long run.

Linked In recommendations should not be a “mutual admiration society” where users stroke each other’s egos. Plain and simple, they should be the honest evaluation of your coworkers’ skills and abilities that potential employers are looking for.

Connections

There are many “super-users” who have 500+ connections. Unless you are a high profile personality like Big Shoes Network founder, Jeff Carrigan -- a veritable cog in the job market machine -- you may not have a large number of connections to start, and that’s okay. Building a quality network takes time.

When it comes to professional connections, I prefer the “Quality Over Quantity” strategy.  It is helpful to consider whether the person requesting a connection with you is someone worth connecting with professionally. If they are a “screw up” or have unethical practices in an office setting, do you really want to be associated with that type of office personality? Thankfully, invitations to connect can be “ignored”… no questions asked.

Generally speaking, I don’t usually connect with people I don’t know. There have been some exceptions, though, when a commonality comes up within online groups. When requesting an online connection through Linked In, be specific as to why you want to connect. Telling someone you enjoyed a presentation they’d given is a good way to break the ice. Sharing a remembered experience of them that left a lasting impression on you is an excellent way to reintroduce yourself.

Choose the connections that will best compliment and honestly support your career goals.

Your Profile 

"Recognized!" for using the Linked In site.

A colleague offered an opinion of my Linked In postings. She was concerned that consistent updates of my job search activities were hurting my chances of getting interviews with other companies. Since Linked In is a “career” site, I had to respectfully disagree because my postings were definitely career-related.

It was my experience that most direct contacts were genuinely interested in my search. Members of online groups to which I belong drew inspiration from the shared experiences. Frequent postings were keeping my Linked In profile active.

The generic “Cheryl has updated her profile” announcement that goes out every time I make a small change, doesn’t do justice to the actual activity. Specific updates to career and job search activity show potential employers that neither are passive.

If you choose to post updates like this, keep in mind a few things:

• Don’t specifically name companies with which you are interviewing (unless you get the job!)
• Keep your comments positive (even if you feel you “crashed and burned” in an interview, keep it up beat!)
• Keep the update brief and relevant (if someone wants to know more, they will ask!)

Online Involvement

Finally, get involved in online discussions. Every person who’s ever been employed has a story to tell. It’s a great way to meet other people in your profession. If you agree with something that was written: “Like” it. If you have an opinion on a topic, share it. Oh, and one more thing: I'm a big fan of spell check. You have 15 minutes to update or correct your posting before it goes onto the network forever and ever, Amen.

Whether your Linked In profile is the hub of your online resume, or a supplementary entity that compliments your electronic job applications…it is YOUR profile. You have the power and the right to build, control and protect your own professional reputation. The time spent is worth the effort.

Inspired by professional networking.