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Using LinkedIn for your job search

Looking for a job can feel likeyou’re being asked to do the

IMPOSSIBLE

They say it’s all who you know – networking.

LinkedIn was created to help.

What is LinkedIn?

• A professional networking site• Relies on individual and company profiles• Over 43 million members from over 200

countries• Membership includes executives from

every Fortune 500 company

MySpace

Facebook

Other social networks

What makes LinkedIn different?

• Professional, for business.• Not the place for vacation pictures or

cutesy avatars.• Connect only with people you know and

trust, or people in the networks of those you know and trust.

• Ask for introductions, instead of direct contact.

Is LinkedIn worth it?

• In a poll of 100 hiring managers conducted early this year, 75% said they used LinkedIn to check the backgrounds of potential new hires.

• 66% said they used LinkedIn to identify candidates for open positions.

Data accessed at http://www.jumpstartsocialmedia.com/pressrelease02.htm on July 16, 2009

Using LinkedIn

• Sign up is easy – Just give your name, and email address and create a password

• Then add where you work

Import your contacts

Complete your LinkedIn profile

• LinkedIn says that users with complete profiles are 40 times more likely to get job offers!

• Complete profiles also show up higher in LinkedIn search results.

• Upload your resume to get started

Complete your LinkedIn profile

• Add a professional picture.

• Get recommendations from at least 3 colleagues.

• Recommendations should be brief, and are easy to request using LinkedIn tools.

Basic job search

• From your home page, click the triangle by Search People and change it to Search Jobs.

• Search by company, position, location

• Returns results from LinkedIn and the internet (via SimplyHired).

Jobs page

• Or just click Jobs at the top of the page for the LinkedIn Jobs Home.

• The number of LinkedIn job postings for N.C. and S.C. may be small, so be sure to check the Web listings too.

Job search results

LinkedIn results SimplyHired results

Once you’ve found the listing

• Apply!• But before you do

that, look for inside connections to the company.

This is the power of the network

Which brings us to …

connections.

Connections

• Connections are an important way to grow your LinkedIn network.

• I only need one introduction to talk to someone in HR!

When I click “Get introduced,” I’ll see …

A simple form to ask for the intro

Or, a job might find you

• HR reps and professional recruiters use LinkedIn too.

• Make sure they can find you!• Tip: In the “specialties” area

at the bottom of your profile summary, include key words, industry slang and jargon that will help flag you if a recruiter searches for those terms.

or maybe …

it’s the hidden

job market

The hidden job market

• Jobs that will be available soon.• Jobs that might never be publically

posted.• Problems a company needs solved.

Work your network

• To access the hidden job market, use your network.

• Search for contacts from old positions and employers, schools and so on.

• Look for people you can be introduced to at your dream companies or doing your dream job.

• Let people know you are looking for a job!

Work “backward” as well

• Find people who hold (or held) your dream job. – What jobs did they previously hold? – What jobs did they move on to? – What skills do they have that you lack?

• Connect to them for career advice, the scoop on who to talk to and what to say.

• Find people with your skills and experience. What are their current positions?

Or your dream company

• Use the Companies search to get the scoop on where you want to work.

• Look for info about executives, recent promotions and new hires.

• Then, look for people you are connected to, or can be introduced to.

LinkedIn Groups

• Use Groups to expand your network.• Groups fall into three main types:

– Job search groups– Job placement groups– Career-specific groups

LinkedIn Groups

LinkedIn Groups

• First, read the group rules and previous discussions!

• Look for places where you can add valuable advice and insight.

• Ask good questions.• Don’t fill up the board with “me too”

comments.

LinkedIn Groups

• Some groups do more than others.• If it seems like a good fit with the group,

consider a posting describing yourself and your job search – be specific about what you want to do!

• Check to see if your groups have larger independent websites you can join.

Think we’ve milked LinkedIn for all it’s

worth?

Think again.

Personal development

• Using LinkedIn to boost your skill set• Get yourself introduced to people with

your chosen skill – speaking fluent business Spanish, for example – and find out how they learned. How do they recommend you learn?

• Join groups and discussions on the subject.

Mobile LinkedIn

Helpful learning tools

• LinkedIn Learning Center - http://learn.linkedin.com– Training (webinars, modules) – Jobs

• LinkedIn Blog - http://blog.linkedin.com/• What’s new at LinkedIn -

http://learn.linkedin.com/whats-new/

Non-LinkedIn sources

• Books• Go to any search engine and look for

“LinkedIn tips” • Look for LinkedIn experts

We wish you great successusing LinkedIn.