Networking with LinkedIn

Published August 11, 2014

Congratulations if you have your profile on LinkedIn. But that is only a small part of how valuable this digital tool can do for you.

A goal for you to start with, is to have 100 contacts. Who do you know? Think back to your former jobs and the people you worked with. Who do you remember? Are they on LinkedIn? I bet they are! Sometimes a person’s name comes to my mind. Yes, I often go to LinkedIn to see if I can find them. I found my first HR boss who hired me as his assistant and mentored me. When he hired me, it would change my career journey and I was always grateful. After I found him, I wrote him a note about how much I appreciated him believing in me. While he is now retired, I was so pleased to have been able to share the impact he had on my career and life.

What’s amazing with LinkedIn and yes, sometimes scary, is that LI will soon suggest people to you. I think it has one of those formulas to find people where you worked and went to school and again, contacts of contacts. You’ll find people you forgot about and there they are, all you have to do is click.

But wait! Before you click on the standard connect tab it provides, write a personal note. Remind the person how you know them and perhaps a few nice words about your previous relationship. More people will accept your request if you go the extra step and write a few words to them.

Once they are on your list and if you’re looking for a job, you should “shop” for people that may be of interest to you and/or can help you with information either about a company, an industry, or a career. Then ask them for 2 or 3 more people you can talk with…always building your network. If you are trying to connect with a contact of one of your contacts, you will probably need your contact to introduce you. That will increase your chances of a reply.

Don’t be disappointed, though, if someone never responds. It happens. Don’t take it personally, and keep trying. There are many great people out there that are willing to give back to people wanting to advance their career.

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So, thought I'd brighten your day!  My new supervisor complimented my resume. She said she liked the summary at the top. She also commented that she wasn't positive that my background would've jumped out as a perfect match, but it was written in a way that highlighted my skills as a match for her needs. The resume you wrote for me did much more than any of those things, however. It changed the way I view myself.  It supported me, and gave me a confidence that I was lacking at that time. When I first saw your draft, I didn't immediately connect with it, yet I knew it was all truth. It grew on me, or I grew into it. By the time I walked into those last 2 interviews, I had a new confidence. Something deeper than just knowing I could do the job. I knew I was the right choice. That confidence, that knowing, attracted those jobs to me as surely as my credentials well presented.  It was both, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 
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