Part 30 (2/2)

To be found on LinkedIn, make sure your profile has the right stuff in it. Make sure when people come across your profile they find it to be credible. Make sure you look like you are a part of the social environment there and not just poking around. None of these take much time, but they all help you become more approachable by those who really need your services.

If you are a project manager, what terms might someone search for? Project Manager, of course. How about PMP or PMI? What about any other a.s.sociations, professional designations, or even conferences? Make sure you put all of this in your profile-ensuring you put acronyms as well as the entire spelled-out name.

In addition to putting these special key words and phrases in, write your profile so people can read it easily. Put in compelling information about you as a professional. A LinkedIn profile is not a resume, so it doesn't have to read as stiff as a resume might read, but it should show you in a professional light.

There are things I look for on your profile that tell me whether you are just playing around, or that you see value in this awesome tool. Is your picture there? Did you claim a ”vanity URL”? These are very easy and quick to do, and makes it look more ”on purpose.” Additionally, I'll look to see how many contacts you have (three is not enough), how many recommendations you have, and what relations.h.i.+ps the recommenders have with you, and whether you partic.i.p.ate in Answers. None of these are deal-breakers, but I'm going to know you take networking and professional development seriously.

When we talk about finding on LinkedIn, think about finding 2 different things: network contacts and information. The most basic search you should do is with the search box at the top of every page. If you want to get into Acme Widget, Inc., do a search for ”Acme Widget.” You may find current or past employees, as well as possibly partners, vendors, or customers (depending on what people have put in their profiles). Any of these professionals could be network contacts for you, to help you learn more about the company and issues.

LinkedIn's original value proposition is that you can tap into your contacts' connections. Think about it-the value you get from using LinkedIn is not that you can track your professional connections, rather, that you can find out who they know. You should ask, ”Who do you know.” LinkedIn automates that step of the process for you.

Jason Alba is CEO of JibberJobber.com and author of ”I'm on LinkedIn-Now What???” and ”I'm on Facebook-Now What???” Reach Jason at and author of ”I'm on LinkedIn-Now What???” and ”I'm on Facebook-Now What???” Reach Jason at /in/jasonalba/.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE POWER OF NETWORKING

Mark J. Haluska is the executive director of Real Time Network, ing across correctly. (Franklin Lakes, NJ: Career Press, 2004), and he was pretty blunt. He liked the book all right, but he thought it had wider appeal than just the technology industry. When I was approached to write this book, I asked Mark if he would mind proofing some of the chapters. I wanted another industry insider to review the material to ensure my strategies and tactics were state-of-the-moment, accurate, and coming across correctly.

Well, let me tell you, face-to-face we've become great friends, and the working relations.h.i.+p has been outstanding. Not only has Mark read every word in the book, he has challenged my a.s.sumptions and encouraged me every step of the way. You would think our desks were right next to each other. We are colleagues in every sense of the word. We talk on a regular basis and e-mail each other daily about more than just the book and headhunting. That is the real power of networking.

Kevin Donlin, my partner in the Guerrilla Job Search Boot Camp project, found me online after reading my book and a few of my articles. He just called me up for a chat. I talked to him, as I had talked to so many other people who had read the first edition of Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters and wanted to ”partner” with me, and I casually said, ”The next time you're in town call.” Given the chance to follow through on a big idea, most people will do nothing. Not Kevin. That was the only opening he needed. He called me back a few days later to tell me he was going to be traveling through Montreal on his way back to Minneapolis and he was ”wondering if that was very far from my house?” I got in my car and drove. and wanted to ”partner” with me, and I casually said, ”The next time you're in town call.” Given the chance to follow through on a big idea, most people will do nothing. Not Kevin. That was the only opening he needed. He called me back a few days later to tell me he was going to be traveling through Montreal on his way back to Minneapolis and he was ”wondering if that was very far from my house?” I got in my car and drove.

We met, talked about our similar vision for job hunters, and started working together, first on our e-book Guerrilla Resumes Guerrilla Resumes and then speaking presentations, and now on the rollout of our Boot Camp. One of the reasons the relations.h.i.+p has worked out so well, despite his obvious talent, is that Kevin delivers on his promises-always. Nothing is more important in business than doing what you promise. When you're making a new acquaintance networking, it's 10 times more important because the other person will scrutinize the relations.h.i.+p looking for inconsistencies and a reason to break it off. The secret is to pay it forward. and then speaking presentations, and now on the rollout of our Boot Camp. One of the reasons the relations.h.i.+p has worked out so well, despite his obvious talent, is that Kevin delivers on his promises-always. Nothing is more important in business than doing what you promise. When you're making a new acquaintance networking, it's 10 times more important because the other person will scrutinize the relations.h.i.+p looking for inconsistencies and a reason to break it off. The secret is to pay it forward.

Personal networking aside, the monetary value of these relations.h.i.+ps can easily run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

[image]

A WAR STORY.

Stephen Forsyth

Linkedin.com is one of the most useful networking sites for job seekers. In fact, it was the vehicle that gained me my position at CML Emergency Services. After submitting my CV to David Perry, I decided to research the company. I decided to utilize the ”search by company” function on the ”people” tab on is one of the most useful networking sites for job seekers. In fact, it was the vehicle that gained me my position at CML Emergency Services. After submitting my CV to David Perry, I decided to research the company. I decided to utilize the ”search by company” function on the ”people” tab on Linkedin.com. In the results, I recognized Allan Zander's name, since we had attended engineering at University of Western Ontario together. Ironically enough, he was the hiring manager at CML and had also worked in the same group with me at Nortel. I sent a connection request to him through LinkedIn and a few days later I was being interviewed by him and subsequently hired. It was quite apparent that without LinkedIn, I would not have made the connection with Allan and may not have been selected for an interview. Since then, I have used LinkedIn to power my business network.

Stephen Forsyth's connection request to Allan Zander through Linkedin.com: Allan, I recognize your name and it appears that we have crossed paths in Nortel and at Western Engineering, so I'm sure that we must have some common contacts and interests.

I am currently searching for opportunities in product management in the Ottawa area and came across your name through LinkedIn.

I am a senior manager with expertise in product management, strategic planning, relations.h.i.+p management, product development and change management within the telecommunications industry. I also recently completed the executive MBA program at the University of Ottawa, and I have eight years experience at Nortel, including a 2-year expat. a.s.signment in Germany.

I noticed that you are looking for some PLMs at CML Emergency Services and I would appreciate it if we could connect to discuss opportunities.

Please contact me at your convenience.

<script>