LinkedIn Introductions

I'd like to start out saying I'm a big fan of LinkedIn and have found it very helpful in my job search. That said, I'm a little frustrated with the Introduction feature and have quite a few questions.

When I find a job opportunity on LinkedIn, one of the first things I do is see if I'm connected to the person who posted the job or the hiring manager.

Most of the time, I have found either a 2nd-degree connection where someone I know directly knows the hiring manager. Considered a direct connection. Or a 3rd-degree connection where someone I know knows someone that knows the hiring manager. There are two middle men.

Is it a quantity versus quality issue? I write my introduction email and send it off to my connection and I often get a reply saying, "I don't really know her/him..." But then why are you linked? Do you need to know her/him just to send an introduction?

Is an introduction being interpreted as a recommendation? Asking my connection for an introduction seems to elicit feelings of putting themselves out which sounds more like a recommendation than an introduction. But I'm not asking my connection to recommend me, at least not in an introduction.

Is passing on the message effective? I'm simply requesting my connection to pass on my message to their connection. But I've submitted a resume with a well thought out cover letter. And now I'm sending a message often through a chain of 2 or more people. What would the message say that my cover letter didn't? Or do people find it impressive that I've gone through the trouble of sending a message through this human link?

Is there something I'm missing? Have you been asked to introduce someone? Did you do it or did you decline?


Tweet this. Just copy and paste:
The effectiveness of LinkedIn introductions. http://tinyurl.com/d8duye

Twitter Apps For Your Job Search

Just when I thought I knew how to use Twitter for my job hunt, I find there are more ways to tweet while searching.

I found another good post from Tawny Labrum, key contributor to the AskBINC Blog: "15 Twitter Applications For Your Job Search."

Labrum says, "With the right tools Twitter can become a never-ending source of information to assist you along your way." There are hundreds of applications you could use, but I suggest you start with Labrum's 15 she finds most interesting.

Labrum also suggests following these Twitter Users specializing in job postings:

• @JobAngels – Helping the unemployed find jobs
• @indeed - One search. All jobs.
• @jobshouts – General job postings
• @simplyhired - Job search site
• @StartUpHire – Jobs at VC backed companies
• @twithire - Job board service

Tap into Twitter's power!

7 Social Media Secrets To Get a Job

Another great article by Dan Schawbel, "7 Secrets to Getting Your Next Job Using Social Media."

This one has some new ideas - at least to me - I thought were great. Schawbel not only has helpful ideas, but provides specific steps and examples to help you get started.

Schawbel's 7 secrets are revealed:

1. Conduct a people search instead of a job search.
2. Use attraction-based marketing to get job offers.
3. Be proactive on Twitter.
4. Capitalize on LinkedIn.
5. Advertise your brand using AdWords and Facebook social ads.
6. Construct a video resume and upload it to YouTube.
7. Subscribe to blogs that have job listings.

I found secrets 5, 6 and 7 most interesting, but I don't think I'm ready for a debut on YouTube quite yet.

If you have other secrets you want to share, please comment.

Online Networking For Career Success

Social media - blogs, posts, tweets - is online networking and networking has always been an effective way to find a job.

Dan Schawbel says "Your digital assets — blog, podcast, and social networking profiles — are your online identity and how people discover and connect with you. You have the ability to leverage one or all of these social media tools in order to present a positive image and be recruited for a position that aligns with your passion."

In Schawbel's article, "HOW TO: Leverage Social Media for Career Success," he claims "social media tools are becoming mandatory for career success." Schawbel goes through several steps to help you identify your personal brand, select the best social media tools to connect with your prospects, build your online brand, and market yourself for career success.

Dan Schawbel is the author of the newly published book "Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success" and owner of the award winning Personal Branding Blog.

FREE LinkedIn Tutorial Guide

I mention in an earlier post - "Basic Tools" - that one of the networking sites you should be on is LinkedIn.

I found a website - http://www.networlding.com/ - that is offering a free LinkedIn tutorial guide. The guide is very good and I would advise anyone who is looking for a job to request this free guide and put it to good use.

Email Networlding at info@networlding.com to receive your free LinkedIn Tutorial Guide to help you learn one of the most powerful social networking strategies. Networlding has coached over 1000 people a year on LinkedIn strategies and have done so since LinkedIn started over five years ago.

Any other resources you know of, please post a comment.

Basic Tools

Remember the saying "It's not what you know, it's who you know." It was all about networking.

And more so today, but it's a lot easier and better with the social networking tools available.

Here are the 3 basic networks that can help in your job search AND you might also have some fun:

LinkedIn - is a professional network where you can create a profile which often looks like your resume. The great things about LinkedIn are (1) you can ask people to "endorse" you which is a recommendation; something valuable when searching for a job, (2) you can find former colleagues, get linked and then ask them for a recommendation, (3) you can join groups which give you an extended network, (4) you can search for job openings and apply online; (5) you can ask people in your network to help you with an introduction to the hiring manager of a job you've applied for, and (6) you can receive emails from a potential employer about a job through LinkedIn.

Facebook - is a social network used to keep up with friends, upload photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people you meet. And just like the olden days, you can let all your friends, family, and associates know that you're looking for a job.

Twitter - is a social network and referred to as a mini-blog. You can post short comments and you can "follow" others to be able to read their short comments. Another way to ask for help and advice on the job search.

Please leave a comment if you have additional advice or comments on these websites.