Two people join LinkedIn every second. More than 35% of LinkedIn’s members aren’t just posting their resumes to this leading professional networking site, but rather using it as an interactive tool to proactively help advance their careers. Here are seven surprising ways that people are using LinkedIn to generate job leads, make inroads with recruiters and hiring managers, and effectively promote their professional brands and businesses. As part of our October 30-Day Career Challenge, we’re also adding seven activities that you can do this week to step up your LinkedIn game.
1. Spend time and not money, and boost your numbers: According to Power + Formula 2013 LinkedIn User Survey: almost 85% of people use the free account; 52% spend up to two hours each week researching companies and individuals on the site; and nearly 22 % of users have 500-999 first degree connection. As a career consultant, I encourage my clients to work toward creating a network of 500 connections (unlike Facebook and other social media sites, 500 is the maximum number that appears on LinkedIn). This week reach out to seven new people every day such as former colleagues, classmates, new co-workers, friends of friends, professors, and almost anyone you can think of to increase your first level connection network.
2. Asking for intros and connects: Almost 63% of LinkedIn users make their first level connections “public.” Not only should you do the same but you should also regularly review your connections’ contacts to identify people you’d like to meet or work with. Then use a simple 3-step process to get to know these people: (1) prepare a brief summary paragraph detailing where you currently work and/or what you’ve been up to recently; (2) tell your connections that you are interested in working at XYZ or would simply love to speak to person “X” in their network; and (3) ask if they can introduce you – be sure to include your summary paragraph in your request. Some people will prefer to reach out to the individual first to confirm that they can share their contact info with you. Others will simply send an email to the contact, including your email request/summary and “cc” you. Regardless of how you are connected, be sure to follow up with a “hardcopy” thank you note to the person who provided the introduction. Yes, I said hardcopy. Business etiquette is a dying breed but can really help you stand out because so few people do it. Even in our digital age, an old school thank you card will impress others and make you more memorable than the 80% of people who won’t send one. Another final key point: in a few weeks make sure you circle back with your original connection to let them know what, if anything, has happened as a result of their introduction and to thank them once again. Use this 3-step method with 10 strangers you would love to call “contacts.”
3. Create a weekly buzz: Use status updates to keep your name out there and ensure you stay relevant. It doesn’t require you to do or write a lot.
Simply informing others that you’ve had a work anniversary or started a new job and congratulating those in you network when they do the same will do the trick. Endorse the skills of 10 of your connections or send some relevant updates.
4. Create - don’t wait for opportunities: More than 75% of LinkedIn users are using the platform to research people and companies. Use the advanced search function to learn more about people you’d like to know and companies you’d like to work for. Then Google and follow the ones you’re really interested in via Facebook, the web, and other social media sites. Select one person in your field who you admire and want to get to know. Review her/his LinkedIn page and other information found on the Internet and draft a personalized email complimenting them for their recent accomplishments requesting to meet him or her for coffee or a 20-minute call to ask them for some career advice.
5. Use your words: Draft and share an article, blog post, press release or anything that you’ve recently written. Write and share a nicely written piece on a timely topic in your field; include your LinkedIn photo so others tie it into your LinkedIn profile.
6. Follow the leader: Follow companies and engage with or join group(s) related to your field/desired field. More than half of all companies share more “individualized” content on their LinkedIn site, including text and video product/service information. Approximately 60% of companies view who is following their company pages to identify possible job candidates; and more than half of all company LinkedIn pages share updates with followers.
In addition, about two thirds of LinkedIn “power users” belong to groups like their college alma mater, previous employers, associations and groups within their industry. These groups can offer invaluable information such as job leads and invite-only networking sessions.
Today pick one company to follow and one group to join.
7. Engage with post(s): Whether it’s an influencer or a junior person who works in the same or similar field, take time to comment on their posts that are relevant to your field or potential connections.
Offer substantive, insightful feedback (i.e., more than “nice post”) in order to get your name “out there in the digital world” and to increase the likelihood that someone will view your profile as a result of reading your comment.
LinkedIn is more than a job board where you post your resume. It is a powerful interactive tool that successful professionals use to: facilitate daily direct messaging, generate more than 40% of a prospective employees’ job leads; and connect tens of thousands former employees every day. This week spend 7-10 minutes a day or (if this is something you really need to improve) dedicate 90 minutes during the week working on one or more of LOPP activity challenges.
I then made “cold calls” and sent my proposal to NYU, Columbia University, and The Learning Annex – in less than 7 months that “proposal” became a successful seminar, called “How to Turn Your Passion into Your Profession,” which I taught at NYU for more than a decade!