Welcome to the third post about “How to find a job on Social Networks”, a great book written by Brad & Deb Schepp. The title of the third chapter is Build and Work Your LinkedIn Network. In the previous chapter, Brad & Deb introduced the idea of first creating a profile at a great social networking site like LinkedIn and how to work toward 100% completion of that profile. Now that one has a profile created, the next job is to start to take advantage of it (e.g. work it). Let’s look at what Brad & Deb have said.

There are two basic approaches to social networking, and you need to choose which side is best for you. First, you can “link” with as many people as possible. So, the idea is that the larger the network, the better this is for you. Conversely, the second approach is to “link” only with people who you actually know. In this case, the network has alot more meaning since you know everyone well and closely. This reveals your selective nature, so that means if someone then becomes part of your network, there is added value to you as a member.

There is a common expression in the business world: the best time to look for a job is when you don’t actually need a job. This chapter has a similar section called “Dig Your Well before You’re Thirsty.” Makes sense, right? I would have to agree. You should never do something only as a consequence of poor planning or last resorts. You should live with the awareness that any job can take a detour, and perhaps without you. So, if the plane is going down, you will at least need a parachute. This is why you need to cultivate your network. You are providing yourself with a layer of security, helping to keep you active in your field. I am sure that 90% or more of LinkedIn members feel this way.

Click here to check out LinkedIn and create a profile or improve your current profile.

LinkedIn Open Networkers (LIONs). This is a new acronym. So, essentially, a LinkedIn LION will link “literally” to anybody who requests a connection. One LION cited in the book says that “Of the 30 million people at LinkedIn I could reach out to any one of 18 million people to find a job.” Personally, I find this a bit gregarious and unrealistic, as I personally would categorize myself in the second category of people on LinkedIn. Nonetheless, as you grow your network, you will be able to let others know that you need a job, and indeed many will help you out as they are able.

The rest of the chapter presents ideas about how to grow your network using the resources of the LinkedIn website and technology. You can use tools like Search, Invitations, consider colleagues and former co-workers, former professors and students alike. The chapter finally ends by showing how one professional man used LinkedIn (e.g. worked his network) to bring an additional $500,000 (US) worth of business in the second half of 2008. Congratulations, indeed!

So, once you get your profile on LinkedIn started, you need to endeavor to bring it to 100% completion and then use the LinkedIn tools of the website to “work your network”. You will most certainly find former colleagues, student-friends, and professors on LinkedIn. People are amazing and always glad to help others, especially those they know. This is a great chapter to revisit because creating a profile is the easy part. The challenging part is to bring it to completion and then begin seeing a bit of magic take place.

All The Best,

Keith Johnson, M.S. Education
Technical Writer & Documentation Specialist
Hallandale Beach, Florida
My Profile at LinkedIn

Brad & Deb Online
Pinny Cohen Online