Social networking is the buzzword of the moment...Facebook, MySpace, Plaxo, LinkedIn and many more. People are asking, “is it relevant to my career or professional life?” With so many options, it’s easy to become overwhelmed if you’re trying to figure it all out, and you may even question whether it’s worth the time to invest in setting up an online profile. 

If you’re searching for a new job, wanting to change careers, trying to advance in your current field, developing your credibility as subject matter expert in your field, or building your own entrepreneurial venture, LinkedIn is an invaluable resource.

How does LinkedIn work? By creating a profile on LinkedIn (www.LinkedIn.com), you are preparing yourself to network with a vast community of over 25 million professionals.  Your profile is similar to an online resume, as it highlights your professional experience, education and areas of expertise and interest. 

Once you have your profile set up, you then upload your email contacts into your profile, and LinkedIn allows you to see who else you know that is already on the site. You can then simply connect with them, which also gives you access to their connections and their connections’ connections.  Basically, you’re developing a network three tiers deep that is easy to access through online requests through a chain of connections.

How can it help me? Depending on your situation, you can use LinkedIn in a variety of ways: 

New Job

• You’ve begun a job search in your current field and you’re targeting 5 companies.  You can search for people in your network currently working at these companies who can give you insight to the organization, the company culture and the specific position.  You may even be able to connect with hiring decision makers.
   
• Use the “Jobs” area of LinkedIn, to find open positions.  You have access to jobs that people in your network have listed.  If you’re interested, you have much easier access to the person listing the position than on other job boards, as they’re already in your network.
   
• Connect with headhunters in your field.  LinkedIn is filled with headhunters/executive search professionals.  See who in your network might offer this service in your field of interest.

• You want to make a big shift in your career.  Search for people in the areas that interest you and request informational interviews to learn more about the new professional area.
   
• Search for career-specific keywords that include both your former career area and the new career area that you want to move towards.  You may find someone who has  made the switch previously and can speak to them about their process.
   
• Ask a question in the “Answers” area seeking advice from people who’ve done the change that you wish to do. 

• Search for leaders in your field of interest, within your organization or within a professional association.  Request informational discussions to understand their path and seek advice on how to proceed in your desired direction.  You may even gain a mentor in the process.
   
• Be seen as a Subject Matter Expert in a specific area.  Respond to questions posted in the “Answers” area that highlight your expertise.

• Let your network know when you’ve written an article, have been quoted in the media or when you’re speaking at a conference.  You can complete the “What are you working on?” field and your network will be notified of what you’re doing.

• Search for people working in the industry or at a specific company that you want to target for your product or service and request an opportunity to discuss what you offer.
   
• Stay on top of trends by asking questions in the “Answers” section. You can get needed information, plus find out who is interested in your topic, product or service for further follow-up.  You can also answer questions that show you are knowledgeable and offer value in your business area.
   
• Determine who the decision makers are within interesting organizations by seeking feedback from people in your network who work for your target companies.

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