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Fri, Sep 5, 2008 14:58 EDT

Now That I'm LinkedIN, Who Do I Link TO?

Topic: Personal Management

Current Rating: 5 Comments: 6

OK, so you’re on LinkedIN…Now what? You filled out a profile, put excerpts from your resume, got a few recommendations, linked to your close contacts.

So then what?

If you’re adopting a tight network strategy, then you’re pretty much done with linking. But you can imagine that a tight network strategy has limitations for job seekers.

For a broad network strategy, building your network is about targeting and efficiency. You want to build as quickly as possible, but build your network with people who are more likely to be able to help you.

So if you are limiting your search to a specific metro area – it’s probably a good idea to concentrate your network in that metro area. But not so fast, bukko, keep in mind that LinkedIN gives you 3 levels of connections. That means the guy you link to in India, might have many contacts in the US who can help you…and by linking to your new Indian friend, you get those people in your database also.

An efficient strategy includes targeting to a couple levels of geography, plus industry focus, potential boss’ job title, and target companies.

I recommend “The Rule of 50’s”:

Link to me: You start out your database with over 1M+ connections by linking to me. Happy Birthday!

Close Geography: Link to the top 50 connected people in your metro area. Regardless of industry or job function, link to the most connected people, and you’ll pimp your database in no time.

Broad Geography: Link to the top 50 connected people in your State (different ones than city), and in your country. Again, these folks are hubs, and hubs connect to lots of people. Hubs will likely accept your invitation, because they are interested in building their own databases.

Industry: Link to the top 50 connected people in your industry. These are industry hubs….maybe not as broad of a reach, but more targeted.

Boss’ Title: If you are an IT Manager, connect to the top 50 CIOs, Director of IT, VP of IT. If you are a Controller, connect to CFOs and VP Finance. If you’re bucking for a promotion, connect one level up the food chain. Consider geographic limitations here also.

Target Companies: Link to 10 people in each target company. Since people in target companies often link to their peers, you’ll get a reach of a few hundred at larger companies. Add more selectively as needed.

Results: This method delivers 300-350 level 1 connections, and a few million level 3 connections.

Caution: Don’t spam. LinkedIN kicks spammers off its system.

Think that’s a big enough database to get started?

So….what are you waiting for? I don’t see your invitation in my inbox yet!

If you’d like more information, a free 30 minute resume consultation, or some advice about your career transition, just email your resume to reCareered at phil.reCareered@gmail.com, and we'll schedule a time to talk.

Trackback: http://recareered.blogspot.com/2008/04/now-that-im-linked-who-do-i-link-to.html

Phil Rosenberg
President, reCareered

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Average (1 vote)
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Fri, Sep 5, 2008 15:54 EDT
Anonymous user
Posted by: sbrophy
Rating: 90

So Phil had a lot of good ideas for building a list of names. However,as with most social marketing, people catch on to that pretty fast and they are beginning to question the actual "connections" people have on LinkedIn.
I'd recommend a more vetted approach: Add people you like, respect and agree with. If you read an article or blog of interest, Link to the author. If you meet someone at a seminar or meeting whose presentation is in line with your interests, invite them to Link. Another excellent way to find people is to post a Question/Answer on LinkedIn. This lets you know a) how people think and present themselves, and b) if they really utilize LinkedIn for interactions.
It is embarrassing to receive a LinkedIn referral request and finding yourself unable to help the requester because you really don't know the Link very well. Or to have someone ask you for a reference when you've never interacted professionally or personally with your Link.
While I do have a few of those more anonymous Links, they are usually recruiters, so people expect that my interaction with them may be limited.

 
Sat, Sep 6, 2008 15:26 EDT
Posted by: reCareered
Rating: 70

Great comments SBrophy. You are describing a tight network, which has both advantages and disadvantages. Weak connections won't help you as much as tight connections will, but a network of only tight connections is limited.

I've discussed tight vs. broad networks in an earlier post on CIO at http://advice.cio.com/recareered/linkedin_strategies_1_tight_vs_broad_network. I've written about 15 articles about effective use of LinkedIN and social networks for job search on my blog, reCareered.

Personally, I keep one of the broadest global networks on LinkedIN, and my tight network on Outlook. In that way, I can find Kevin Bacon and Elvis, but also know who my go-to crowd is. When I need an intro to someone not in my network, I can often go through a close connection to get there.

To me, it's the best of both worlds. I don't recommend career changers invest the time to build as large of a network as I have. However, increasing beyond close connections to gain a broader reach can accelerate a job search.

Phil Rosenberg
President, reCareered
Email: phil.reCareered@gmail.com

 
Sun, Sep 7, 2008 3:59 EDT
Anonymous user
Posted by: Josh Nankivel
Rating: 90

It is so easy to build a network of hundreds on something like LinkedIn if you reach out to people you've worked with, went to school with, friends, and family. In my initial foray into LinkedIn I accepted some requests from people who I did not know. I figured that building my network was the main goal.

I've taken them out of my network since.

I soon realized that if I wanted an introduction to someone in their network, it would not work because I don't even know them! If I'm getting introduced to someone, I want the go-between to be able to give a truthful recommendation of me.

For me, quality matters on LinkedIn. To reach out to the people a level above me, I go through my network of people who I REALLY know.

Josh Nankivel
pmStudent.com

 
Mon, Sep 8, 2008 13:55 EDT
Posted by: ravi_vidya
Rating:

Great post and comments.

I have grown to like LinkedIn and the possibilities it presents. But i have seen certain users abuse the ability to network by linking to pretty much everyone they have ever known at work, school or elsewhere. The line between LinkedIn and a social networking site such as Orkut becomes blurred.

At times it seems like it's a numbers game - the more contacts i have, the better my networking abilities. I guess some prefer quantity over quality.

I think securing some recommendations from your bosses goes a long way towards making a profile look more credible to potential employers. But going around getting recos from your colleagues and then giving them stellar recommendations in return as a favor doesn't work too well. Smart employers can see right through that.

A while back i noticed that one of the job requirements for a position at LinkedIn required the candidate to have atleast 3 recommendations. So let's get cracking on sucking up to our bosses - past and present :)


 
Tue, Sep 9, 2008 5:56 EDT
Posted by: abu_talal
Rating:

I have been a user of linkedin for the last 12 months, and to be quite honest do not find the interface very user-friendly.
What is more, and upsets me most about the site, is that whilst they claim to ban the accounts of people who use it to spam members, i receive between 5 and 20 spam mails a day on my linkedIn account. Once i've managed to sort through all of these messages, i'm then left with a hundred and one approaches from headhunters and vendors all trying to sell me something or sell me to someone.

I found that all of these things inhibited, rather than facilitated my networking with other professionals within my field.

I've now started using a new site called http://www.meettheboss.com which has a far more stringent approach to privacy as all registrations are vetted prior to approval - so no spam, no headhunters and no vendors.

Abu

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