What Comes With Your Free LinkedIn Account

There are some well written articles on why active and discreet job seekers should create a LinkedIn account.  I'm also an advocate of LinkedIn however; this post is not about why you should create a LinkedIn account but how to leverage your LinkedIn account during your job search.

The LinkedIn tools that I am going to describe are F-R-E-E with your F-R-E-E account (we like free).  You may not find all of these tools suitable for your search strategy so I'll sort each tool in separate buckets making it easy for you to read and decide which ones you do want to use.

*IMPORTANT NOTE - If you have not created a well written profile read Alison Doyle's article called "LinkedIn Profile".  At the time of this post Alison's LinkedIn profile ranked #6 when I did a Google search for "Alison Doyle".


Groups
Groups can strengthen and extend your existing network and link you to like-minded professionals.  As a group member you can invite other members of your group to become part of your network.  Once they accept your invite you'll have someone within your network who can "introduce" you to others within their network.  Here's an example of how I would use my group during my job search.

Sally is a recruiter for a company that I would like to work for however; Sally is not part of my network nor is she part of my group.  Robert is connected to Sally and Robert is a member of my group.  I send Robert an invite and after he accepts the invite I can direct message him asking for an introduction to Sally. The concept is the same when you go to a party.  If you want to meet someone you find someone you know at the party who knows that person and get an introduction.

Groups can also keep you updated on industry news and trends.  You don't want to go into an interview using buzz words that are no longer in style or you're unfamiliar with the newest industry related technology, software, or best practices.

Being a member of a group also enables you to build your own social brand by starting conversations and commenting on other conversations.  By contributing to group discussions you are displaying your knowledge around a particular topic.  I am a member of a couple groups and I provide resume and cover letter writing ideas, job search techniques and other related topics to my group's discussion boards 1-3 times per week.

Some groups post job openings that a job seeker could be missing out on.

LinkedIn has over 12,000 groups with the keyword "jobs" that are all free to join.  Don't be overwhelmed with the number.  Choose your industry and then find 2 or 3 groups for job seekers that has the largest number of members.

Following Companies ("Company Pages")
The Company Page offers businesses a platform to present their brand and service.  As a Recruiter I follow my competitors to see who was promoted and who departed.  As a convenience I receive an email summarizing the company's activities and I am able to set the frequency of the emails.  As a job seeker I would follow a company that I would like to work for to find decision makers and find new job opportunities.  Someone who leaves a company may mean a new job opportunity for you.  If you are connected you could send your resume and cover letter expressing an interest in applying for the role that John Doe vacated (provided you are qualified) before the position is posted externally.

Search Profiles
LinkedIn profiles are searchable but in order to contact the user you must be connected directly.  If my background or interest is IT and I am interested in connecting with IT recruiters I can find 44,000+ recruiters who recruit in the IT industry.

In my instance I have 12 recruiters in my network and 8, 562 recruiters who I have group relationships.

LinkedIn Answers
LinkedIn Answers is another space where you can build your own social brand by answering questions posted by others, showcase your knowledge and stay abreast of industry news.

Your answers to questions are fed to your homepage profile, added as your network status update and your answer is emailed to the person who asked the question. 

Merely creating a LinkedIn account is not going to attract staffing personnel to your profile.  You need to brand your profile, establish your credibility and connect with others.  All of the features I mentioned will do that for you.  And the beauty is all of them are free and low maintenance.

If you use LinkedIn please share your best practice(s) in the comment section below.

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Build Your Twitter Profile For Your Job Search

If you want someone to think of you when a job opening surfaces you need to be on Twitter.  For starters, make sure your Twitter profile is presentable (professional) and optimize it so that will attract staffing personnel and managers.

Don't protect your tweets.  It prevents your tweets from being indexed by Google, and from getting discovered by recruiters.

Don't mix business with pleasure.  If you plan to tweet a lot about your personal life create a second account.

Don't use inappropriate pictures in your profile or a picture that is not you.

Do choose an identity wisely.  Select a professional screen, whether it's your first and last name or one that captures your industry (i.e, marketing_professional, finance_person).  The latter is best for passive job seekers who want to be discreet.

Do make use of the web link.  Insert a link to your online resume or LinkedIn profile.  Don't have an online resume? Check out any of these free sites: Blogspot, Wordpress, or VisualCV

Do think about keywords you would want your profile to show in a search.  It's not necessary to use hashtags (#).  Your words will show up if keyed in a search.  Adding hashtags in your profile only takes up the 160 characters we are alloted. 

Do include your actual geographical location (city and state) rather than "USA", "Everywhere", "The Planet".  If you are open to relocating write "Open to relocation" in your profile.

Do use a standard background.  One that will permit you to give more details about your background.

Do measure the power of your profile.  Go to Twitter Grader.  My profile grade is 97.7 out of 100.

This is all you need to do to your Twitter profile to make is discoverable.

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Ten Steps - Step 1 - Importance of Networking

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Use Social Media In Your Job Search - A Must

Like all of my other posts this particular one will provide you with advice on how you should bare your experience and background to Recruiters, HR professionals, Headhunters and hiring managers. For this post I am picking social media and how you can leverage this resource to enhance and boost your job search.

Did you know there are more than 100 social media sites? If you are curious as to what they are go here. You probably use at least 2 forms of social media to connect and re-connect with friends. The most popular ones are Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn (which is actually a professional network).

Why should you use social media in your job search?
Recruiters, HR professionals and hiring managers are embracing social media and use social media as a "harvesting ground" to find talent for their organizations. Just check out Listorious and WeFollow for a list of Recruiters who want to be found.

Where should you go?
Twitter
Twitter is a great tool to network with employers who may be interested in your experience and engage and market yourself to a large audience of people. Many people can find the right contacts on Twitter to help them to find a job. For staffing and recruiting professionals, Twitter is a quick, easy, and direct way to find job seekers. Especially job seekers with specific skills sets who live in specific places. Unlike Facebook Twitter is searchable site for Recruiters. In my next post I'll share with you what Recruiters are saying about your Twitter profile.

LinkedIn

Recruiters and Human Resources managers are adding their own profiles to sites like LinkedIn and making connections with job seekers for employment. Besides making those connections also use the Company Profile feature. Company Profiles are a powerful research tool that helps you find and explore potential companies to work for. See whose leaving because that's a position that will need to be filled. Stay tuned because in my future post I will share some helpful information on how to create a profile as well as insight on how to search LinkedIn for your next career.

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Networking Tips for Career Advancement

Source: Career & Employment News
Establish networks with professionals in your current or desired fields. Search for and attend association events, cocktail receptions and critical seminars that will attract the people you should know.

Be prepared to talk with new people.
Draft a few questions and statements that will help get the conversation going. Ask what inspired your new contact to join his/her company or what experience he/she brings to the job. Share your positive experiences, what you've learned and your intended career path. Get his/her contact information!

Look for mutual opportunities.
Perhaps your new contact could benefit from your friend's business. Offer to make an introduction. Maybe your new contact knows someone working at your dream company. Ask if he/she would consider sharing your information with that person. Look for reasons to maintain contact and share resources. Be reliable! Don't promise something that you can't deliver.

Keep in touch!
Mark your new contact's business card with the date you last spoke. Follow up every few months just to say hello, see how business is going, set a coffee date...anything that will keep you top of mind. Nearly all networked affiliates share job leads, business leads or tips that can help you achieve your goals.

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The Secrets of Successful Networking - Part 2

Networking itself is not a revolutionary concept, but how people are networking and connecting to great opportunities is changing with next-generation job sites that combine job search and networking. People can now find jobs and be found using powerful search tools on the Web and get jobs based on the strengths of existing relationships. Social networking sites are gaining traction as a tool in job searches. Stay with me because I will explain why later in this post. This is part 2 of a 2 part piece on networking.

If you read part 1 I discussed tips and techniques about building your social network. I also wrote an article ("Leveraging Your Online Social Networking") on the do's and don't when participating on a online social networking group. In this segment I will discuss how to choose an online social networking group and the benefits.

There are many out there and I would not recommend subscribing to every one. Doing so will spin you into a "social networking overload".
LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn to create a professional profile and discover connections in your network.
MyWorkster: Get networked with people in your community on this site for students, alumni, and job seekers.
Facebook: Use Facebook to get connected with old friends and new contacts.
MySpace: Although MySpace doesn't exactly say professional, you can get connected with friends and other contacts on this social networking site. I have a discussion group on MySpace called "Ask a Recruiter"
Tribe: Join Tribe to network with people who have similar interests.
Ryze: Make business contacts and establish a networking homepage on Ryze.
Netparty: Get connected with other young professionals at the parties thrown by this organization.
Probook: Canadians can get connected on this professional networking site.
Fast Pitch Networking: On this professional social network for business, you can find step up your Internet presence, find friends and colleagues, and more.
Xing: Find people, manage your business contacts and network for your career on Xing.
Layoffspace: The unemployed can gather and network on this site.
Twitter: Use Twitter to update the world in 140 characters or less.
Meetup: Find a Meetup group to meet people who share your interests.
Whototalkto: Help people get your old position while looking for a new one on this website.
ZoomInfo: Build your online reputation by filling out a profile on ZoomInfo.
Ecademy: Create contacts and market yourself on this business networking site.
orkut: Find new business contacts and join communities on orkut.

Don't forget Chat rooms, Web forums and discussion groups.

Now, in order to make online social networking work for you it is essential that you maintain a presence and cultivate contacts. It becomes difficult to manage when you have a profile on more than 3 sites. Remember. This is not a stand alone job search activity. You have to allocate your time to other job search activities. Do not consume your time creating a profile on numerous sites. Narrow your list down to 2-3 sites. Brian Chappelle compiled a very comprehensive report that may help you choose which online social network sites to consider. He shared those results on Ignite Social Media. I wish I had discovered this information when I searching for a job.

After you review the report ask yourself these questions:
1) Which networks are getting enough traffic/users that merit my involvement?
2) Is it for the masses or for unique users (i.e., healthcare, education, IT, executives, HR, finance, etc.)?
3) Which networks are getting traffic/users from the countries you need to network with?
4) Which networks cater to what you want the most?
Why should you consider including online social networking in your job search activities?

• 77% of recruiters run searches of candidates on the Web to screen applicants. For instance recruiters at Microsoft and Starbucks troll online networks such as LinkedIn for potential candidates. Goldman Sachs and Deloitte run their own online alumni networks for hiring back former employees and strengthening bonds with alumni-cum-possible clients. The more senior your position, the more likely you will be researched online.
  
• A growing number of companies are advertising on social network sites. "Facebook provides us with the opportunity to show our fun environment with pictures, comments, and discussions", writes financial services Ernst & Young.
  
• It's said that 80% of the jobs available never get advertised. Using this resource can help you find them. According to CareerXRoad's 2007 Annual Sources of Hire Surveyof new hires brought in from outside an organization were due to employee referrals. Those employees have profiles on online social network sites.
• You can review profiles of hiring managers and discover which of their existing contacts can introduce you.
• The more contacts you have within a network, the greater your chances are that someone will know of an opportunity which is right for you.
• Smaller, more tech savvy companies are using online press releases, blogs or their own social networks for recruitment. If people have joined their RSS feed, or signed up for their newsletter, that person is likely to have an interest in their services and may be looking for work. So become a joiner for those companies/groups you are interested in working for, and keep an eye out for work opportunities. If you become an active part of these communities, you could even ask the group if there are jobs available.
• Use these sites to showcase your experience and achievements.

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New Year Resolution - Get That Job! Get That Job! Get That Job!

At the end of each year we reflect on events that shaped our lives and how we improved our lives. We look forward to the New Year with new commitments to reform a habit or a lifestyle change. If your goal in 2009 is to secure a job or transition into another career add “create and execute an assertive job search strategy” to your New Year resolution list. Read what my colleagues say are the “must do” activities to jump start your career search in 2009.

Get on Twitter. “Use Twitter to demonstrate your professional expertise and draw the attention of people in your industry who will want to hire you. At the same time, actively reach out to those kinds of people by following and networking with industry recruiters and other insiders.”
Jacob Share, Job Search Expert and creator of JobMob

Help Others with Their Job Search. “You don’t have to give someone else your hottest lead, unless you decide that it's really not right for you. But, you can help them connect with someone you know who works (or worked) at their target employer, give them help with their resume, a ride to the next job search support group meeting, etc. Particularly when you are unemployed, helping others can help you feel more useful personally. And, it often, but not always, comes back to you. That person you helped with their resume has a neighbor who might be able to help you, and so on. As "they" say, “what goes around, comes around,” and paying forward to help others really does seem to payoff. Do it for that reason, if for no other.”

Build or Enhance Your Personal Brand . “My recommendation to all job seekers would be to focus on building, or enhancing, their personal brand. Attract potential employers to you rather than reaching out to them. That puts job seekers in a much better negotiating position that the reverse, even in a tough economy.”
Susan Joyce, President and Editor/Publisher of Job-Hunt.org
[Read my post "How to Make Your Resume Discoverable on the Web]

Google Yourself. “Put positive and branded professional content under your name and Google yourself everyday.”
Maor Kaplanski, Personal eBrand & ORM expert, Israel

Think Outside and Inside the Box. “Think outside and inside the Box (that computer screen in front of you, that is). In other words, you need to diversify the way you market yourself, whether it's online at job boards, or at social network sites like Twitter or LinkedIn; or offline at campus recruitment opportunities, job fairs, networking events in your field, or spreading the word to friends. The more ways in which you get the word out that you're looking, the more potential jobs you'll hear about.”
Dawn Papandrea, managing editor of The CollegeBound Network, and blogger at CollegeSurfing.com/blog

[Read my post "Job Hunting in Times of Uncertainty: Five Overlooked Strategies to Help Make Your Job Search More Productive -- and Successful"]

Rely on Your Professional Network “to try and get inside information for future openings or current openings. Of course if you have a LinkedIn profile you will want to ensure your profile is up-to-date and is robust, fully completed, and full of industry keywords that draw attention to your skills and accomplishments. Highlight areas where you can provide added value if you were to be hired.”
Linda, Reeder, Training Specialist,LinkedIn
[Read my post "The Secrets of Successful Networking, Part 1

Use Keywords. “Analyze job postings for keywords and incorporate them in your resume. I also recommend that job seekers review at least 6 to 8 job postings in their field to find keywords that appear consistently in these postings. This gives job seekers a good idea of what skills hiring managers are looking for. These are also likely to be the keywords that hiring managers search for when going through their database of resumes. Incorporating these keywords into your resume increases the chances of your resume being seen by a hiring manager.”
Cheryl Palmer, Certified Executive Career Coach,Call to Career
[Read my post "Optimize Your Resume with Keywords

Know Thyself. “What do you want to do (goals)? What do you bring to the table (talents & skills)? What differentiates you from your competition (accomplishments and capabilities)? What is your passion and calling?” Give to Get. “The karma of the job search says ‘What goes around, comes around.’ If you want to receive something, first you must give something. Freely give your time and talent to others. Give without expectation of getting anything back.” Terrence Seamon, Learning and Organization Development Consultant


Expand your Job Search Resources. “Job boards and networks are fantastic - also contact your alumni office, placement office at your college/university, industry associations, professional organizations, read trade journals - all can be great resources for your job search.”
Elaine Basham, Partner,The Resume Group

Stay Positive. “While there may be times when the job search will leave you feeling frustrated, don't ever give in to negative feelings or let them derail you from your professional goals! When you're feeling down spend time with a friend or family member who has a positive outlook. The key is to be with someone who is going to reinforce your efforts and give you encouragement and suggestions. This is not the time to be around people who complain or who have a negative outlook.”
Laura Zurowski, Director of Outreach, Marist College
[Join a discussion group]

Step outside your comfort zone. “Avoid limiting your search to your current industry or field. Identify your transferable skills and experiences, and communicate them to prospective employers.”


Minimize work history gaps. “If you are unable to find a position right away, consider temporary assignments, internships and part-time opportunities, all of which can potentially lead to a full-time role.”
Chris Russell, Webmaster, Blogger and Podcaster for the online job search industry

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Leveraging Your Online Social Networks

Facebook has emerged as a household name and now has more than 60 million active users. Facebook is the 4th most trafficked website in the world and the most trafficked social media site in the world. Over 55,000 regional, work related, collegiate, and high school networks. More than half of Facebook users are outside of college.

MySpace is the largest Social Network in North America maintaining a dominant position as a media site primarily aimed at youth. MySpace has more than 110 million monthly active users around the globe.

While online social networks are useful in terms of helping you make connections, developing a great "brand" identity and maintaining a good online reputation is of critical importance. This article will provide strategies for creating online social networking that will help you build your reputation and leverage your contacts.

1. Be Selective. It's not who you know, it is "who knows you back." Connect only with friends and colleagues who will speak favorably of you, and who you will recommend to others.

2. Be Polite and Cautious. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it all. Remember that adding comments (lewd and vulgar language) to blogs and uploading risque pictures can leave a permanent trail and written record. Posting information online is like sending a postcard -- anyone can see it, and it could get in the hand of the wrong person. A good takeaway: A recent study by the executive search firm ExecuNet found that 77% of recruiters run searches of candidates on the Web to screen applicants; 35% of these same recruiters say they've eliminated a candidate based on the information they uncovered.

3. Be Vigilant. Many employers search the Web prior to making interview invitations or employment offers (reinforces previous paragraph). Be careful how you share personal information. For example, never Twitter (a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows it's users to send and read other user's updates by answering a single question, "What are you doing right now?") about a job offer until you've accepted, or Tweet about a resignation. Negative comments can spread like a nasty pandemic. A general rule of thumb: if your mom would be embarrassed, publish under a nickname if you must. Set up a Google News Alert to monitor information about you that is available on the web -- and request removal of negative comments or inaccurate information.

4. Be Transparent. Share information about your career, your interests, and what's important to you. Update your info regularly with care. The more your contacts know of your interests, the more they can be of help to you.

Summary: When looking for a job, especially in these tougher economic times, the trick is to cast as wide a net as possible. Start networking today!

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