6 Reasons Why LinkedIn Is So Critical In a Job Search

A Job Search Buddy of mine recently asked me, “How do I find a hiring manager in a large company like Qwest?” There are a lot of ways to do this but one of the easiest and best is using LinkedIn. When I recommended this to the friend he completely agreed, however, the problem was he only had about 60 connections. Too few to be effective.

So often I speak with friends that just don’t understand the value of LinkedIn as a job search tool. We constantly are sent invitations to join someone’s network only to find after months of searching they are just now starting to build a LinkedIn network. You should consider building your LinkedIn networking all the time. NOT JUST WHEN IN A JOB SEARCH.

Some benefits to a large LinkedIn database of contacts:

1. People can find you. The more people at the second and third degrees of separation the more times you will show up in a search. For example, I have around 10,000 contacts. However, I am linked to over 16 million people on LinkedIn. When I search for a candidate that is a huge database.
2. LinkedIn will eliminate the need for resume databases on Ladders, Monster, Careerbuilder and other job boards. This is because it costs on average between 5,000 and 10,000 dollars to have access to these resume databases. LinkedIn is free. Why would a recruiter or any company pay that when we can use LinkedIn for free.
3. Your LinkedIn Public Profile can be picked up by Google or any search engine. Resumes databases by the job boards are not picked up by Google or any search engines. You want to make sure you show up on the search engines. LinkedIn can improve your search results.
4. It helps you find the people you want an introduction to. This is very powerful. I have helped numerous people with introductions as a result of LinkedIn. On a weekly basis I receive requests indicating they found a person in my connections and would I make an introduction. I always agree. Heck, I might even say something nice about you too.
5. Even when working this is a great tool for resources, customer contacts and introductions, references, service providers and even potential hires for you or your company.
6. On a personal basis it is a great way to stay in-touch with friends, colleagues, prior employees and networking contacts. When you update your profile they will get a notice and likewise when they update theirs.

Work hard at building your connections. Make every effort to reach that magic 500+. LinkedIn really does become fun around 100 to 150 connections. If you use Outlook download the LinkedIn tool bar. It makes inviting people very easy.

There are many more positives to building your LinkedIn network than there are negatives. Many have resisted. I believe this recession has proven to be good thing for everyone’s network.
If you have other ideas share them by adding a comment. Lets help everyone build a strong network.

A good way to start is building a network is making sure your profile is complete. If it isn’t start there and then begin expanding your contacts. Don’t miss the opportunity to get a high ranking on Google.

12 Ways LinkedIn Can Help You When You’re Looking For A New Job

12 Ways LinkedIn Can Help You When You’re Looking For A New Job

By Alan Case

If you are looking for a job or you want to change jobs; here are some ways you can use LinkedIn.

1. Identifying the right people at a potential employer (finding their profile) to talk to or to network with.

2. Receiving introductions or referrals to potential employers (via the introductions tool or outside of LinkedIn).

3. Discovering the relationships between potential employers and your own network (see the connections in their profiles).

4. Discovering information about recruiters or other people at the organization you would like to work for. This makes the conversations online and offline easier (reading their profile).

5. Maintaining relationship with recruiters or other people at the organization you would like to work for (Personal contacts, Discussions in Groups and answering questions in Answers).

6. Visibility and Personal Branding (your profile not only on LinkedIn, but also in the Search Engines like Google, contributions in Answers and in Discussions).

7. Make yourself be perceived as an expert (contributions in Answers and in Discussions and Expert points).

8. Word of mouth publicity (receiving recommendations and people telling about you in Discussions, mention you as the expert in Answers or talking about you outside of LinkedIn).

9. Getting recommendations which are visible to potential employers (recommendations written by other people which can’t be modified by you which makes them stronger).

10. Finding the right groups and organizations to be member of, both online and offline (via the profiles of people from your network).

11. Picking up trends in the marketplace (Discussions in the groups of your potential employers and in the groups of your peers).

12. Getting notifications when someone changes jobs, this is a trigger to contact them to see if you can work for them in the new organization and to get introduced to the one who will replace them in their current function (network updates).

Can you think of more? Please comment and let me know how you use LinkedIn in your job search. I know I have some more ways to use LinkedIn so stay tuned for more fun ways to use LinkedIn to find and land your next great job.

Happy Hunting to You!

Alan Case
LinkedIn Trainer

Best-Case Solutions
AlanDCase@gmail.com - 303-768-9335 (O) - 303-349-0999

Alan Case’s Tips to Use LinkedIn to get your Next Job!

LinkedIn is where companies want to be when they are hiring. Hundreds of companies are using LinkedIn's Corporate Solutions and many more hiring managers and recruiters are using LinkedIn to post jobs and source candidates for employment. That's good news for Job Hunters, because you can use your LinkedIn connections to find your next job!

How can you ensure that you're using the full power of LinkedIn to assist with your search for a new job? Well, fist of all, stick to the basics - Build Your Profile, Build your Connections and Search Your Network!

It's important to take the time to build your LinkedIn Profile, to add to your connections, and to effectively use your connections to help with your job search. It's also important to help your connections, too, when you can - pay it forward - as it works both ways.

Here are some tips to Use LinkedIn to discover and get your next job.


1. Complete and update Your LinkedIn Profile
The more complete your LinkedIn Profile, the more chances you will have to be found and to be contacted. Use your LinkedIn profile like a resume and provide employers with detailed information on your skills and experience. Heck, I even suggest adding your email address and phone number multiple times in your profile to make it as easy as possible for the recruiter to pick you out and contact you.

2. Get and Use Connections
The more connections you have, the better your chances of having a connection who can help with your job search. When you're applying for jobs, be sure to use the connections you have. Someone who is employed by the company or has connections there will be able to help you apply and get through the company's hiring process. On the other hand, be willing to help your connections when they need your advice and referrals. Connect with a number of "open networkers" with large networks to expand your reach quicker.

3. Use the LinkedIn "JobsInsider" Tool.
JobsInsider is a tool you can download that will inform you how you are connected at jobs listed on Monster, CareerBuilder, Jobing, HotJobs, Craigslist, SimplyHired, Dice and Vault. You can see who you are connected with at the company and request an introduction to the hiring manager. Find the tool under the Jobs tab on the main page.

4. Types of Jobs on LinkedIn
There are jobs posted directly on LinkedIn by employers that are only available to people on LinkedIn. There is a complete process that let's you provide the employer with your resume, link to your LinkedIn profile, recommendations, and much more. There are other jobs from the web provide by SimplyHired. Search on line and discover an entire new world of jobs available through LinkedIn.

5. Job Search Options
You can search for jobs on LinkedIn by keyword, country, and postal code. Use the Advanced Search Option to refine your search and to search by location, miles from a location, experience level, company, job title, job function, industry, and date posted.

6. Use Recommendations and Referrals
If the job is listed directly on LinkedIn, you'll see how you're connected to the hiring manager and you can apply online and/or request a referral from a contact. If you request a referral, LinkedIn will provide you with a template you can use for your message. You can edit the message so it's personalized.

Some employers prefer candidates have LinkedIn recommendations (LinkedIn will display the number of recommendations you have below the requirements). Employers may also prefer referrals through the LinkedIn network. Follow the instructions in the job posting to optimize your chances of securing an interview.

7. LinkedIn Company Profiles
LinkedIn company profiles are a good way to find, at a glance, more information on a company you're interested in. You'll be able to see your connections at the company, new hires, promotions, jobs posted, related companies, and company statistics.

8. Search on the people you are connected to at the companies.
Find out which LinkedIn groups they belong to and find out as much about the companies that you can uncover. Put on your detective's hat and start connecting the dots.


That's all my tips for now. I'll have more soon. Stay tuned and I will share some more Job Hunting tips using LinkedIn. I'm discovering some great ways to utilize LinkedIn to quicken my approach and shorten my length of time job searching. Happy Hunting!

Remember what I like to say, "Keep Working LinkedIn, and LinkedIn will Work for You!"


Alan Case

AlanDCase@gmail.com