Using LinkedIn, Part Five

Searching for a job?

First, check out the LinkedIn Job board. Many companies are beginning to post and use LinkedIn. Members are usually more professional than typical social groups. Also, LinkedIn appears to have aggregation capability from other boards.

Second, your groups might also have job postings. Here there is already some similarities with members, so the risk is less than a general population.

Third, after you have gone through Jobprenurshipä training, use your value proposition, brand, and communication message to focus on your targeted companies by searching through LinkedIn via company searches to find influencers, trusted advisors, and decision makers who might be interested in you. Also, look for those who recently worked in the company to obtain insights and connections that could be invaluable. This is invaluable when researching companies.

While you are networking and participating in groups, “pay it forward” by helping others. That will continue improving your brand and extend your network as someone who might be trustworthy.

One final word about LinkedIn, this is an incredible tool but only a tool. The ultimate purpose is not to replace face-to-face meetings. It is to help increase your productivity in getting face-to-face meetings where you can utilize the Jobpreneurshipä methodology of developing trusted networks, extending your brand in your community, and obtaining referrals.

Hiring decisions and larger cost buying decisions don’t happen merely through the internet. The risks are too high. You will need to still meet and greet, interview, and get friends to help you. You will need to get involved in associations or networking groups. You will need to pay it forward to help others. But intelligently using LinkedIn is a competitive advantage.

Using LinkedIn, Part Four

Next, take a look at those in your network who you really know and who know you. If you can give a positive testimonial to others, do so and ask them to return the favor.

Having solid testimonials has multiple benefits.

First, LinkedIn will give you higher rankings in searches.

Second, as people look you up, others view of you will improve.

Third, as potential HR or hiring managers check you out, these testimonials become references and sources for them to contact to know more about you. Which is why I recommend that all testimonials are genuine and valid. If you get caught with fluff, that probably won’t be good!

Next, there is a Twitter like function – which also can be connected to your Twitter account. Again, I encourage you to post mini-blogs that communicate what you are professionally doing. A good example might be a speech in Hong Kong. An example of what you may not want to mention is that you are leaving your house to go to a ball game during office hours. Burglars might love you and your boss might not be as thrilled!

Are there others suggestions that you have?

Using LinkedIn, Part Three

After your profile is published and you are increasing your network through your contacts, I recommend that you begin joining groups where you are already affiliated.

If you are looking for a job – and are employed, you may want to be very careful what is in your profile and what you say!

Otherwise, your company, prior companies, colleges, associations, church, societies, etc. will probably have one or more groups that would recognize you as an eligible member. I encourage you to join. This will expand your network geometrically with people outside your network but associated to you by a group. You can then selectively invite those within the group to join your network or just contact them through the group.

Now, you can begin participating on these groups discussion boards or blogs. This begins to let others know you and your brand. My recommendation is to keep your comments professional. This is not Facebook. Potential decision makers, hiring managers, influencers, and trusted advisors may be turned off if you are not careful. Manage your brand.

Any other suggestions for group memberships?

Using LinkedIn, Part Two

Start by completing your entire profile.  The more you input, the easier it will be for others to find you. LinkedIn will also rank you higher.

There are many secrets to optimizing your profile. You may wish to take a look at how top users do theirs.

I strongly encourage you to use your value proposition as a major branding technique and key words in the specialties section of your summary profile.

Be sure what you write is correct, without grammatical mistakes, and is what you want the world to see. LinkedIn will create a special link which will be your profile. In other words, this IS what the world will see.

Next, begin inviting others to join your network. In my case, I only allow those to join my network whom I feel I either know or would benefit those already in my network. However, many others believe that anyone should be able to join their network. These people care called “open networkers.” Both views have strengths and weaknesses. You have to decide which direction you want. If you are selling to masses, are a recruiter, or trying to help others access your network to find the maximum number of contacts. If you are an executive or professional, you might be more concerned with quality over quantity.

One caution. When inviting someone, ask them to select “archive” if they don’t remember you or want to connect. If they select “I don’t know them”, LinkedIn will punish you after five such responses. This is intentional with the LinkedIn philosophy of developing trusted networks.

Let me know what you think and why!

Using LinkedIn

The first step to using LinkedIn is to join! Go to LinkedIn.com and follow the directions. There are different levels. The first level is free – I recommend starting at this level. The other levels cost money but may be worth reviewing.

What are the benefits?

1. Allows you to begin building a long term network. When people change jobs, they usually update their LinkedIn profile. Not true with most other memberships.
2. Provides discussion groups, blogs, and links to personal websites.
3. Expands to allowing access to groups, where you may belong, and their respective membership
4. Hundreds of millions of contacts are available either by directly connecting or by referrals.
5. Encourages online testimonials that others can see when they look you up.
6. Includes your resume that others can see
7. Builds your online network and brand 24 / 7.

If you are not using LinkedIn, I don’t believe you are serious about trying to get a job or client.

Using Internet Tools for Jobs and Clients

This week I want to share with you how to use the internet to help you get a job or a client. First, which internet tools do you think are best?

I use the phrase internet “tools” deliberately. None of them are a solution – although others will tell you that they are the “secret”. Here is what I personally see as the best tools and uses of them:

1. LinkedIn – The best tool on the web. Designed for networking, targeting people and companies, and making your profile plus testimonials available to everyone. Also has groups which can dramatically increase your exposure.
2. Plaxo – A good tool. Designed for keeping contact information but can offer other benefits. I would call it LinkedIn lite. I use both but prefer LinkedIn.
3. Facebook – A great personal site for social networking. I am told that they now allow a separate “business” site but cannot find it yet. It was just announced that Facebook is getting more hits than Google. Impressive.
4. Twitter – A great tool for keeping up or broadcasting what you are doing. Perfect if others want to follow you. For example, you follow a targeted company Twitter for all new job postings.
5. Many others…There are many others such as Ecademy, which I use for international presence. In every case you need to review to see if they “fit” what you want to do.

My recommendation is to focus on LinkedIn and use the others on a more focused basis.

Why? LinkedIn is the primary choice of top companies and executives (hiring and buying managers). Go where your customer is going! Plaxo is good but limited. Facebook is scary – often too much personal information that can tarnish your image, but may become the #2 tool to LinkedIn. Twitter is primarily for following companies for job or procurement opportunities. Having others follow you is wonderful but are they the decision makers? Ecademy seems to attract a wide range of people, including many who may be not as “professional” as LinkedIn. This site appears to attract many individuals trying to make money but does offer a rich social experience.

Tomorrow, I will begin a series on how to work with LinkedIn.  You can begin to educate me on what you know and how you use any and all of these tools for how to get a job or a customer.

50 Worst of the Worst Job Interview Mistakes

There is an excellent article you can read on this topic by clicking here. However, I also have some suggestions.

Here is a list that, for the most part, makes a lot of sense. There are a number that you could argue about. There are a number of others that you could add, and add, and add. Is this article helpful? Absolutely! That is why I recommend it. A few of the items might hit home and make a difference in your results.

The concern is that this is so tactical that readers might think these items are all they need to know. That would be a tragic mistake and probably not what the author was suggesting. The bigger help is to recognize that if you are not following the Jobpreneurship™ process then you are missing the larger, strategic process, that will help you compete among the top 5-10% of those looking for a job.

So, I encourage you to read the article, print it out, and put it into your interview tips file.

Secrets of Networking, Part 10

The tenth point from a blog by Charlie Robertson from the book “Deserve What You Get” by Jay Levinson is:

10. Initiative – starting something is important, but you must carry it through and complete it. This earns respect from the people you are with.

Actually, initiative and follow-through are two different animals. You may start something, but I may have to finish it.

It is my observation that most people have little to no initiative. They like the status quo and dislike change unless it favors them. Most seldom start any new project and oppose those who do.

Therefore, those who do have initiative are to be encouraged and mentored to continue volunteering, continue creating new ideas, continue connecting the dots, and continue stepping out on the edge.

Not finishing what you start is not always wrong. If you learn after you start that you are going the wrong way, then stopping or turning directions is wise indeed.

Most successful entrepreneurs are self-initiators. Most intrapreneurs (entrepreneurs within a corporate structure) are self-initiators. Most jobpreneurs are self-initiators. Most fail – many times; but the winners get up and keep learning, keep trying new ideas, and keep reaching for the stars. They may not reach the stars, but I would rather be surrounded by those with initiative than those who sit on the bench.

It is said that Thomas Edison tried over 10,000 ways to create the light bulb. He got up from each failure with the knowledge that he learned from the last failure how to not repeat the same mistake and then initiated a new approach, and a new approach, and a new approach…until he succeeded. Then he began on his next initiative. If you tour his old factory, I am sure that you will see many ideas that never made the light of day. Yet many of his inventions changed America.

Be an initiator. Then, add to that trait persistence, perseverance, and never giving up. Eventually you will succeed.

The smartest initiators start something and then surround themselves with those who implement their ideas. Many of them are called business owners.

My advice, the hardest step is to get started. Get up. Get started. Get help to accomplish your goals.

Secrets of Networking, Part 9

The ninth point from a blog by Charlie Robertson from the book “Deserve What You Get” by Jay Levinson is:

9. Enthusiasm – enthusiasm is said to be self-confidence in action. It comes before success. Positive enthusiastic energy is one of the most sought after traits.

Actually, I disagree. Passion is the source of enthusiasm, energy, and perseverance. It is a secret ingredient to success.

Enthusiasm without passion is generally self manufactured and will die with challenging circumstances. Enthusiasm without substance is not a pretty sight. It can be over-reaching, arrogant, and obnoxious. It can also be based upon false reality and delusion; which can be destructive.

Here is a suggested formula: Belief System + Values + Passion + Mission = an irresistible force that will accomplish something. What it accomplishes depends upon what the belief system and values are based upon.

In searching for results in life, I strongly recommend that you look beneath the surface to be sure that the foundation is solid. True lifetime success is built upon a solid foundation.

Do I like enthusiasm? Of course! It is contagious! I am even more excited when it is based upon substance and principles that agree with my conclusions of a strong foundation.

Secrets of Networking, Part 8

The eighth point from a blog by Charlie Robertson from the book “Deserve What You Get” by Jay Levinson is:

8. Feedback – the people in your life want to know what you think. If you can deliver negative feedback with respect and kindness, it will be welcomed. If you can deliver positive feedback, it will be cherished.

This is not a point that I would emphasize. My observation is that people generally want to know what you think if it is good. If it is constructive criticism, no thank you. If it is negative, “how dare he…” What is your observation?

In fact, I see insiders who constantly see areas of improvement for others but rarely mention them.

The wise man, who wants to get wiser, does seek negative feedback. He can weigh its value and decide to accept it or to reject it but if delivered with respect it is always welcome – if timed and worded properly.

Most of us appreciate positive feedback as long as it is not merely polite stroking. If it is sincere and appreciative, we may feel a little unease but it is welcome.

Some of us, including myself, give feedback as a way of sincerely wanting to help others. It is not always appreciated. We sometimes get burnt by the receiving party but helping someone see their blind side is, in my opinion, the most sincere way of trying to help others.

However, if you are crude or malicious in your remarks, please do it elsewhere.

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