You've heard about LinkedIn. You have a skeleton of a profile and a few contacts...now why isn't your phone ringing off the hook?
It isn't that simple. Your LinkedIn profile needs to have quality content. It needs to convey a message about you. Invest the time to make your profile 100% complete. There have been some great articles on how to do this. Please don't make excuses or say you don't know how.
Here is two explanations of HOW to complete your profile:
Make Sure Your LinkedIn Profile is 100% Complete from Brand-Yourself.com
Leverage LinkedIn for Personal Branding and Targeted Executive Job Search by Meg Guiseppi.
Once you have your profile complete, begin to use LinkedIn. There is no greater teacher than experience.
If you don't think you need LinkedIn, you should read this post about how to be found using LinkedIn:
How to Be Found By Recruiters On LinkedIn by Marci Reynolds from Job-Hunt.org
7 Ways to Get More Out of LinkedIn by Sharlyn Lauby from Mashable
Please, don't just stop here. Begin to really USE LinkedIn. Consider it your networking rolodex or address book. It will keep track of all the great people you meet as you go through your career. And there is no need to update your contacts information, no more bounced emails or disconnected phone numbers. It is done by them when they change jobs. It is an virtual contact list that never gets outdated!
LinkedIn is not a fad, it is not a toy, it is an investment in your future. Learn it and use it to your advantage.
Greg, Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Investing in our careers and self development is so important. Greg teaches LinkedIn classes in Rochester, NY. Here is his LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/sirlinkedalot
Posted by: Career Sherpa | February 25, 2010 at 10:05 AM
Great articles shared here. I agree with most of the writings and teach the same. You learn by working the site and observing what others in roles similar to yours are doing. If you don't commit the time, your progress will be stalled and your benefits delayed. It's a choice. Invest. Learn. Share.
Posted by: Greg Taylor | February 25, 2010 at 06:20 AM
Definitely visit Mike Lally's awesome slideshare! It explains why you must have an online presence! The data speaks. Mike, thanks!
Posted by: careersherpa | February 25, 2010 at 05:26 AM
And don't forget the way cool Slideshare from your best pal Mike Lally: http://www.slideshare.net/mikelally/using-social-media-in-your-job-search-v30-dec-2009
Seriously...never any love in public.
:)
Mike
Posted by: mikelally | February 23, 2010 at 04:52 PM
Marci: Thank you for writing such a helpful post! I hope we make a dent...one job seeker at a time!
Posted by: Career Sherpa | February 23, 2010 at 12:44 PM