While most folks rely on Facebook as their #1 social media portal, LinkedIn is slowly gaining popularity as the social medium of choice for business candidates, professionals and entrepreneurs. As the power of networking gains widespread recognition, increasingly more people are turning to LinkedIn to build their professional networks
What exactly is LinkedIn?
It is a social network site designed specifically for the business community, where one can connect with trusted contacts and possibly take advantage of future business opportunities.
How does it work?
Once you register on the website and let LinkedIn guide you through building your profile, you can connect with people you know in multiple ways:
- Upload your contact lists and let LinkedIn find them for you
- Go through LinkedIn’s “People You May Know” option, which uses your profile information to find contacts who attended the same school, university or company
- Use LinkedIn’s search feature to find specific contacts using their personal information such as current or past employer, school, university, city, etc.
So, you’re connected. What next?
Browse through others’ profiles, and get to know them better. Reach out to long lost friends and colleagues, and drop them a short message so that they too view your profile. Connect.
Sign up for LinkedIn Groups that relate to your profession or business. Post blogs or articles. Comment on others’ posts. Increase your visibility, and keep building your network.
How can LinkedIn help me?
- If you are looking for a job, LinkedIn has a “Jobs” section where you can browse vacancies from all over the world, and apply directly as well.
- If you are running a business, and looking to hire someone, LinkedIn allows you to post vacancies which interested candidates can apply directly to using their LinkedIn profiles.
- If you are an entrepreneur or contractor, LinkedIn provides opportunities to help you find part-time work or contracts.
- If you are a start-up, you can design your Company Page to attract potential investors, facilitate employee networking, as well as increase visibility for customers.
I just attended a workshop / meeting / convention. Should I add some of the participants I interacted with?
Yes!
A stranger is asking to connect with me? I don’t know him. What should I do?
Politely ask the stranger his interest in connecting with you. Glance at his profile. If you see a networking opportunity or future potential, or if you receive a satisfactory reply, accept his request to connect. But if it is a blank or incomplete profile, and the stranger doesn’t respond back, it would be wise to ignore his request.
Is LinkedIn really beneficial?
Yes! There are countless stories of people getting jobs, companies finding ideal candidates, ex-colleagues or bosses recommending candidates for jobs at their new employers’, clients being reassured by strong LinkedIn profiles to award their contracts or assignments to candidates, and professional posts and blogs generating interest, respect and visibility among multi-levels of connections.
I’m not on LinkedIn. What should I do?
Easy. Contact me! I’ll help you build a strong LinkedIn profile, that will help you grow your network in no time, and help you seek opportunities and connect with your peers!