Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Are you using LinkedIn to its Fullest?

This is why I am such a fan of LinkedIn:  LinkedIn has hit the 100 Million Member mark.

I’m the group owner of Google Universe, and I’m writing you to announce that, as of today, LinkedIn has officially reached the 100 million member mark. This is a significant milestone in the company's efforts to connect talent with opportunity at massive scale. On today's LinkedIn blog, you'll find an infographic illustrating what 100 million members actually looks like. ( http://blog.linkedin.com/100million/ )

In absolute terms, LinkedIn is adding roughly one million members per week, or more than a member each second.

As a technical recruiter here at LinkedIn, I’m very excited to help LinkedIn continue to expand this global talent network, and to help the organization be a model for effective recruitment.

LinkedIn will come close to doubling its staff size this year. If you would like to be considered for our open positions, or if you would simply like to stay connected with me, please send me a request to connect. I’ll be glad to accept.
Another blog about using LinkedIn from a college recruitment blog:

One of my favorite job blogs for college recruits replicates my top 12 list but in a bulleted fashion:



As a college grad seeking to start your career, you may be unaware of LinkedIn. To find jobs that are more targeted, entry level, and of your interest, you will need to use this social media tool. Job hunting is simplified with LinkedIn because you can build your contacts and references base. Getting a job using social media may seem quite simple but you'll need some tips to get started.

LinkedIn is in a resurgence. Since adding applications and mimicking some other Facebook-style functionality, the Grandaddy of social networks is becoming more relevant. Its important to recognize that Linkedin has different demographics than Facebook, Myspace and other social networks. Linkedin is older (68% are 35+), wealthier (66% make $60/year+), and better educated (72% are college grads!). To many it may just seem like another online-job hunting tool at a job seeker's disposal, but it's so much more. Read on!

The Good News

For many people that enjoy social network connectivity but are not ready to live and breathe it, Linkedin is an ideal option because it’s safe and it’s strictly business. There are very few interactivity options on Linkedin, and you are never faced with the “wow, I wish my client didn’t see that picture” dilemma that’s all too common on Facebook (job seekers know what this is like). LinkedIn works because it purposefully does less than Facebook and MySpace. Connections are controlled. Easy to use. Very little layout control. Minimal advertising. Few applications. No multi-media. And organized like an address book, a familiar paradigm.

The Bad News

The trouble is that the address book approach makes it easy to treat Linkedin as nothing more than Outlook contacts with personal profile data. The reality is that Linkedin offers an amazing opportunity to grow your network, your business, and your career – whatever it may be. But, because it’s much less flashy and in your face than other social networks, you have to dig a little to find the good stuff - especially when it comes to jobs.

22 Ways to Dominate

Here are my 22 tips for dominating Linkedin.


Linkedin Profile 1. Upload a Good Photo
2. Complete Your Entire Profile, Including Prior Jobs
3. Include Email Address In Your Last Name (easier to contact you)
4. Use Keywords Liberally in Your Profile (think of it as an SEO page)
5. Link to Web Sites Using Keywords, not “My Web Site”
6. Link to Your Blog’s RSS Feed
7. Update Your Profile Often (keeps you on your contacts’ news stream), but Not Egregiously
8. Create Status Updates (like Twitter and Facebook)

Linkedin Applications
9. Activate Linkedin Applications that Connect to Your Content - WordPress & Bloglink - SlideShare - Company Buzz (Twitter search)

Linkedin Connections
10. Invite Anyone You Meet in a Business Setting
11. Use Custom Invite Text
12. Find Connections Through Linkedin Search (company search is especially good)
13. Browse Your Connections’ Connections to Find People You Forgot or Missed
14. Invite Your Contacts from Outlook, Gmail, et al

Linkedin Recommendations
15. Liberally Provide and Request Recommendations - Use Custom Request Text
- Provide Guidance to Reviewers on Themes and Keywords You’d Like Included

Linkedin Messages
16. Send Messages to Your Connections About Job Openings, Events
- Breaks Through Clutter of Inbox

Build Your LinkedIn Reputation
17. Set up a Search and Answer Questions in the Linkedin Answers Section
- Search can also be set as an RSS feed
18. Join Groups (only enough so that you can participate in each one)
- Great way to meet new connections through group discussions
19. Consider Creating Your Own Group

Using Linkedin for Business Development
20. Connect with Clients, Former Clients, and Prospects
21. Use Search to Find Appropriate Contacts at Target Companies
22. Use Search to Find Background Information on Personnel at Target Companies

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