© 2009 Right Management. All Rights Reserved.

Online Networking and LinkedIn

Enhance your Career Development and Job Search

Online Networking and LinkedIn

Enhance Your Career Development and Job Search

Learning Objectives

Increased understanding of online networking Relationship to traditional networking Application for self marketing, professional development,

career management, career success How to use LinkedIn Online networking DOs and DON’Ts

2

The Rationale Behind Making Connections

1974 study of several thousand men in Newton, Ma.

– 56% found their jobs through a personal connection

– 19% used the formal job market

– 20% applied directly

Of the half of responders who used a personal connection:

– 17% saw the contact often

– 28% saw the contact rarely

– 56% saw the contact occasionally

Gave rise to “The Strength of Weak Ties” as the best source of new ideas, new information, and new jobs; people who are more likely to know something you don’t.

3

The Nature of the Job Market (p 3.6-3.7)

Proactive

Existing Jobs

Pending/Created Jobs

AdsWeb

AgenciesRecruiters

Formal Marketplace

Reactive

Informal Marketplace

4

What Is Online Networking?

Definition

Online networking is the process of building professional relationships through internet-based social networks,

discussion groups, blogs, and personal websites.

A complement to, not a replacement for, traditional networking.

Same objectives and outcomes as traditional networking.

Relationship-based, give-and-take process.

Access to more people in more locations, industries, professions.

Communicates your personal brand 24/7 – offers a public resume.

Manages and tracks your professional network.

5

Who’s Doing It?

Job seekers, business owners, recruiters, active and open networkers.

200+ million people, 45% of Web users, on ten biggest online networking sites, including Facebook and LinkedIn.

133 million blogs around the globe (Technorati, Sept 2008).

All Fortune 500 companies represented on LinkedIn, all at director level and above.

More than 300,000 CEOs on LinkedIn.

6

Why Do It?

Opportunity for 24/7 networking.

Access to more people, the right people, more quickly.

Builds your online presence.

Bridges time and location barriers.

Springboard to building offline relationships.

Less intimidating networking method for introverts.

Expands the reach of your personal brand.

Makes you appear tech savvy.

The World at Your Fingertips!

7

Benefits of Online Networking

Visibility and AccessibilityEstablish your digital identity.Communicate your professional objectives and selling points.Attract recruiters, employers, business partners, or simply new contacts.

Source of InformationExplore “what’s out there” in market developments and new directions.Source SMEs in relevant industries, functions, and organizations.Share feedback and get/give advice.

Targeting and ContactingFind/reach key contacts in organizations, industries, markets.Reunite with past colleagues and classmates.Contact recruiters, prospective employers, business partners, and new contacts.

Time EfficienciesNetwork when you want – 24/7 access.Network where you want – any internet access.Save time with quicker interactions and introductions.

8

Limitations of Online Networking

People you’re contacting to create a new relationship need to see or hear your name in at least three modes of

communication: e-mail

phone call

face-to-face encounter

Maintaining a secondary relationship requires two to three pings a year.

A reasonable goal could be to reach out to one person in your extended network weekly:

sharing information

e-mailing interesting news stories

Real networking is about finding ways to make other people successful – filling the well before you’re thirsty.

9

Focus On: LinkedIn

Largest, most popular professional/business social network.

Used by more than 42 million professionals in 150+ industries globally in over 130 countries.

Has facilitated millions of business introductions.

Users accept 84% of all introductions.

Based on six degrees of separation concept (but three degrees on LinkedIn).

Part social network, part business network, and part contact management system.

10

Building a Contact/Connection Network: Career 20/20 p.3.13

“A” Contacts

• Already known• Instant rapport• Feedback on your

presentation• Referrals to “B”

and “C” contacts

“B” Contacts

• Bridge people• Information resources:

activities, people and events,

needs and problems• Referrals to other “B”

and “C” contacts

“C” Contacts

• Can make hiring decisions

• Receive proposals• Create Jobs• Refer to other “C”

contacts

C

B

A

11

LinkedIn: Three Levels of Connection

Sean

BobSam

You

Mark

Allen

Eve

Jeff

JohnMiguel

Tara

John

Jim

Seth

Maya

Dwayne

Dieter JoshAllan

Jan

Rod

Chen

Lisa

Jean

Chris

Mike

Dave

1st level =93

2nd level =52,353

3rd level =2,198,005

Networking Partners

Former Employers Past Associates Professional Associations

Friends/ Relatives Neighbors Business Owners

Salespeople Consultants Bankers

Lawyers/ Accountants College Associates/ Alumni Doctors/ Dentists

Insurance/ Real Estate Clergy Civic Leaders/ Politicians

Club Members Common Interest Associates Met While Traveling

Connections Grid

13

Additional Networking Ideas

Parents of your children’s friends

Volunteer network

Alumni groups

People in your business network: vendors, sub-contractors, consultants, colleagues

Spouse’s professional contacts

People who rely on you for income:

Hair person

Car salesmen

Lawn person

Investment and tax advisors

Day care providers

14

LinkedIn: What to Do

Become a member of LinkedIn (join)

Develop your profile and grow your network

Search for contacts

Connect with contacts (introductions and inmail)

Search for jobs

Get and give recommendations

Join groups – can be public or private

Advanced tips and tools (profile completion, applications, accounts and settings, tools and plug-ins)

Consider having a business and a personal account: Can hide the personal profile.

Managing the divide between work and play.

15

LinkedIn: Focus on the Upper Navigation Box

Home – Profile – Contacts – Groups – Jobs – Inbox - Edit - My Connections

- View - Add Connections

- Recommendations

More:

- Companies - Answers - Learning Center - Reading List - Events - Company Buzz - Applications Directory

16

Marketing Tip: Your Customized URL

In-transition business cards Header section of your resume Header of your reference list Job applications – if appropriate E-mail signature line

Caution: Check noun-name on Google first

17

LinkedIn: Develop Your Profile

18

LinkedIn: Develop Your Profile (con’t)

19

LinkedIn: Develop Your Profile (con’t)

20

LinkedIn: Grow Your Network

21

Note: recent modifications to software.

LinkedIn: Grow Your NetworkImport Connections

22

LinkedIn: Grow Your Network Colleagues & Classmates

23

Search for Contacts – Home – Menu Bar

24

LinkedIn: Search for Contacts

25

LinkedIn: Advanced Search for Contacts

26

LinkedIn: Connect with People You Find

Invitation -- using add connectionsA direct request to join LinkedIn and/or your network.

Invitations are a free service to all users, lifetime limit of 3,000.

Personalization options

3 rejections – account is suspended – use the archive option

Introduction – message through shared connectionA free service for all users, with a limit of five in the basic account.

1st level contacts introduce you to 2nd or 3rd level connections.

All parties in the process must have a LinkedIn account/profile.

Not a direct invitation to join your network.

InMail – to make a direct approach – it’s a Cold CallCan be purchased individually or provided with a premium account.

Allows you to connect directly to a person without an introduction.

27

LinkedIn: Become a Member

Choices:Working Independently

EmployedBusiness Owner

StudentLooking for Work

28

29

LinkedIn: Focus on the Upper Navigation Box

Home – Profile – Contacts – Groups – Jobs – Inbox - Edit - My Connections

- View - Add Connections

- Recommendations

More:

- Companies - Answers - Learning Center - Reading List - Events - Company Buzz - Applications Directory

LinkedIn: Search for Jobs – Menu Bar

30

LinkedIn: Search for Jobs (con’t)

31

LinkedIn: Search for Jobs (con’t)

32

LinkedIn: Get / Give Recommendations

Ask for recommendations from colleagues, bosses, vendors, customers.

Write recommendations for them – prompts them to write one for you.

Must be a member of LinkedIn to write a recommendation.

33

LinkedIn: Get / Give Recommendations

34

LinkedIn: Join Groups

Over 200,000 groups on LinkedIn.

Bring together people with common interests and backgrounds, such as professional groups, alumni groups, and work groups.

Can create a group or join an existing one.Click on groups….groups directory…..search by category or

keywords.

Limit: 50

Consider how many to display: 5 to 10 optimum

Explore groups focused on job search

35

LinkedIn: Join Groups (con’t)

36

LinkedIn: Advanced Tips and Tools

Complete Your ProfileUpload a photo.Rename your customized URL. Tell people what you’re working on.

ApplicationsShare presentations.Conduct polls.Link your blog to your profile.Collaborate on projects.Use as an online resume – through your public profile.

37

LinkedIn: Advanced Tips & Tools (con’t)

Account & SettingsBasic account is free but can upgrade to premium (Business,

Business Plus, Pro).

Choose to allow or not allow your connections to view your own contacts (we recommend you allow this!).

Choose to notify your network when you change your profile.

Indicate how you wish to receive invitations, messages, notifications, and introductions.

38

Online Networking: DOs and DON’Ts

DO Set networking objectives and milestones. Assess your skills, talents, experience, and work style to convey

your personal brand and unique selling points.Develop a profile for social networks and other online media.Understand the quality vs. quantity debate in growing your

network.Facilitate introductions.Focus on relationship-building – 2 to 3 pings per year to maintain a secondary relationship.

39

Online Networking: DOs and DON’Ts

DON’TForget your manners.Be selfish.Have unrealistic expectations.Don’t unnecessarily use the “I Don’t Know This Person” invitation response. Focus only on social networks. Consider blogging and discussion groups.

40

Online Networking: Action Steps

Set online networking goals.

Plan an online networking strategy.

Write a resume / public profile / bio for use on various sites and situations.

Join LinkedIn.

Grow your network on LinkedIn.

Make strategic connections to achieve your goals.

Include online networking in your ongoing career management strategy.

41

Frequent Questions and Interesting Details

From the main menu bar – More Tab

• Learning Center Customer Service User Guides

People You May Know Feature: home page, right side

Inbox to review pending invitations

Premium services, linking multiple e-mail and Linkedin accounts and account settings:

– Settings tab at the top right of the main menu bar

42

Homework

Take the grid on slide 13 and fill-in some names.

Join Linkedin and search for some of your contacts.

Make one networking connection via Linkedin, discuss your career transition situation, and ask for a referral:

Use elements of your 30 second commercial

Ask for a referral

May I say you referred me?

Bonus: Go to www.keithferrazzi.com and sign-up for the relationship-building tip of the week.

43

Relationships & Online Networking: References

Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi

I’m On Linkedin, Now What – Jason Alba

www.imonlinkedinnowwhat.com -- newsletter subscription offered

44