5-Step Quick Guide For Getting Started On LinkedIn

Excellent post found at:

http://www.careerealism.com/getting-started-on-linkedin-quick-guide/

If you’ve never been on LinkedIn before, it can be a little overwhelming. That’s why we created a 5-Step Quick Guide for getting started on LinkedIn – Take a look:

Step 1: Update Your Resume

The first step is to make sure your actual resume is updated. Once you’ve done that, then you can transfer the data to your LinkedIn Profile.

Need help updating your resume? Here are a few articles that can help:

•  The 10 Key Components Of A Great Resume
• 20 Powerful Action Verbs To Kick Your Resume Up A Notch
• Make Your Resume Stand Out – More Numbers, Fewer Words

If you need further help with your resume, consider looking into a professional resume writer.

Step 2: Change Your Privacy Settings

Your resume is done – great! Now, it’s time to start adding information to your LinkedIn Profile. Before you add anything, make sure you change your Privacy Settings so your profile activity isn’t visible until you’re done filling out your profile. You don’t want your connections seeing every single change you make to your profile!

Need help with this? Visit LinkedIn Help for more information.

Step 3: Add Your Information

Once you’ve adjusted your Privacy Settings, you can start adding content to your Profile. In addition to adding your resume, you can showcase visual accomplishments like PDFs, online articles, and images. To learn how to do this, check out this LinkedIn Lab clip.

Warning: No information on your profile is suspect, but too much is overkill. Do your best to balance it out and include the must-haves.

Step 4: Optimize Your Profile

After you’ve added your information to your profile, you must go through an optimize it so it’s easier for people (and employers) to find and read.

We suggest checking out our FREE tutorial, “5 Things Recruiters Expect To See On Your Profile” for help doing this. If you use tools like this, you can go through and optimize every section of your profile.

Need more help? Check out these articles:

• How To Keyword Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
• Optimizing Your Resume With Keywords

Step 5: Make It Part Of Your Routine

After optimizing your profile, you just need to keep it fresh. The more you participate on LinkedIn, the more it rewards you. It puts you in searches, finds relevant people to connect with you, and so on. So, you should make sure you’re an active user on a regular basis.

“The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it,” said J.T. O’Donnell, LinkedIn Influencer and founder of CAREEREALISM.com.

Make an effort to update your information monthly. You should also be active on a daily basis by sharing articles, participating in groups, and keeping up with your connections.

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Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/getting-started-on-linkedin-quick-guide/#x9kJIyyWWc0ygDbw.99

LinkedIn Networking 101: What Not To Do

An excellent post By Susan Ruhl found at:

http://www.careerealism.com/linkedin-networking-not-do/

Let’s face it: Getting what you want in life requires the salesperson in all of us to come out. One very important aspect of sales is networking. Some of us love it but, really, most of us HATE it! It is hard. Hard to know who you should talk to, hard to know how to act, and hard to know what to say.

As career professionals, we often discuss how to network. What does it look like? Or, just as importantly, what does it NOT look like? Networking is a bit counter-intuitive. Most of us go into a networking situation thinking, “What do I need to get out of this?” and then we say exactly that, what WE need to get out of it.

Don’t do it!

Networking is about establishing and maintaining a relationship with someone before you ask for help. The rules don’t change just because it is not face-to-face. Let me give you an example of a very common mistake we see in our business.

Last week, I received a LinkedIn request that simply said “Susan, I am looking for a new career opportunity and would like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.”

We are always open to meeting people and building our network. Of course, I accepted, although already I was feeling a bit on the defense. Why, what’s the big deal? I have never met this person and I feel like a favor is being requested or is about to be requested of me.

LinkedIn Networking Basics

So, lets go over a few basic ideas when using LinkedIn or any networking tool.

An ineffective LinkedIn invitation typically has one or more of the following elements:

• The generic request to connect. About 90% of the requests I receive are in this format. Would you connect with someone who walked up on the street and said, “Hi, you don’t know me, but be my friend!”? I don’t think that is likely to happen.
• The “I see you are connected to Ms. X, could you make an introduction?” What would your response be to this if the tables were turned? Likely, it would be something like, “Wait a minute… you’re a complete stranger to me, and you expect me to go out on a limb for you, and do you a favor?”
• The “Mr. X has indicated that you are friends” request but you have never heard of them.
• Misspellings. Introducation? Seriously?

A great LinkedIn invitation typically has one or more of the following:

A Brief Idea Of How You Heard About The Connection

Networking is about building a relationship. Relationships are about give and take, not take and give if you can. Remember, this very important concept. Never ask for something right away. Just keep it simple. And start building that relationship.

A Personalized Message

A great example is, “I’ve enjoyed getting to know you on Twitter and appreciate your retweets. How about we connect here, too? I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.” This invitation got my attention and I am more likely to help this person if requested to do so.

If We Have Met, How We Met

If you are at a large gathering, your intended connection might not remember every person he or she met. It’s always a good idea to say, “I enjoyed meeting you at the breakfast this morning.”

Attention To Detail

Make sure your spelling and grammar are correct.

So, let’s get back to my story. Immediately after accepting the request to join, my thoughts were validated. I received an e-mail with the following message:

“I would like to thank you for accepting my invitation on Linked In. I would like to ask for your assistance in my search for a new career opportunity. My last position ended after the business closed; I was with the organization for over eight years.”

A long description of her attributes followed ending with, “Any assistance with my search is greatly appreciated.”

Now, let me tell you why this approach doesn’t work (and we get this type of e-mail often). Would you march into a doctor’s office or an attorney’s office and ask for free services? I hope not; you wouldn’t get very far. It would be incredibly presumptuous and it puts those who can help you in a defensive mode.

My company helps people in their job search. It’s a gratifying business when you are able to help someone move on in his or her career. When we have a relationship with someone and value them as part of our network, we often pass their names on to recruiters, review their resumes, and so on. But notice, we have to have a relationship. While I will respond, I will likely not meet with this person.

So, let’s look at an e-mail that did work. I met a potential employee at a conference. This is the e-mail I received following the event:

“My fellow presenter and I met you at the CHRA conference. You mentioned that you occasionally look for executive level coaches. After visiting your website I have a greater level of interest and would like to know more about your work and opportunities where my talents might be useful to Innovative Career Consulting. Would you like to get together? How does a time over the new few weeks look to you?”

For me, this e-mail was great.

It tells me how I know him, what he can do for me and compliments me on being a company he would like to find out more about. Clearly, he is interested in working with our firm but his approach was to comment on the idea that he might be able to help us. It was not how we would help him. It was short, sweet, and effective. I set up a meeting that day.

Networking is not rocket science, although it can feel that way. First and foremost, it’s about establishing a give and take relationship. It is also very important to be yourself and have fun meeting people. This is what will set you apart.

As you go forth in your LinkedIn networking efforts, please remember it is as much about how you can help as it is about how you can be helped.

10 Powerful Ways To Optimize LinkedIn Groups

Good tips on making better use of LinkedIn groups to enhance you networking found at:

http://www.careerealism.com/optimize-linkedin-groups/

One of the most powerful aspects of LinkedIn is groups. Any job seeker can use LinkedIn groups to connect with people and to build relationships that can ultimately attract new leads or employment.

However, groups can take a lot of time so it’s important to get as much out of the groups as you put in.

You want your LinkedIn Groups Equation to look like this:

G + G + G + G + G = JOB

Not this:

G + G + G + G + G + G + G + G + G = ZZZZZZ

Here are ten ways to get the most out of LinkedIn groups:

1. Keywords

Searches on the Internet are driven by keywords. These are important words and phrases that define what you do or what is important to your business. Keywords should be placed in every section of your LinkedIn profile. They should be used as often as possible without creating awkwardness. These are the words that an employer will use to find you and these are the words that will tag the jobs you are looking for.

Keywords include both nouns and verbs. For example: accounting and accountant. Copying sentences directly from a resume filled with action verbs may not make the best use of keywords. If this is the case, change those sentences for LinkedIn and other online profiles.

Place keywords prominently within:

• Your headline
• Position titles
• Within the first sentence of every paragraph
• Throughout all of your content on LinkedIn

Also, try to get your keywords added to recommendations.

Include special skills as secondary keywords: For example, Six Sigma, PhD, MBA, and chemical engineering.

Search engine bots search looking for these specific terms and on a very simple level. The more terms they find the higher you will rank for a particular search and the sooner you will find a job.

2. Cocktail Party Etiquette: The Room Is Filled With Sharks

LinkedIn is filled with groups of people that are BONE TIRED. Looking for employment is eating them alive. LinkedIn groups just sit there beckoning the weak, “Come on, add a comment, a commiseration. Ah, come on,” the voice whispers.

Don’t do it. Never disclose your age, your marital status, how many children you have, how much money you do, or don’t have or any number of other private things that employers are not allowed to ask in an interview. Call your best friend, your brother, or your priest to vent. LinkedIn is a PUBLIC forum. Managers and recruiters wander these groups. Give them only positive impressions.

3. Join LinkedIn Groups Outside Your Comfort Zone

For me this was a poetry group and it was pure torture. Joining groups outside of your comfort zone has two important advantages. First, you will come into contact with new people and new ways of thinking. Both will expand your horizons and even improve your employment prospects.

Secondly, groups outside of your comfort zone will sharpen your assessment of which groups you really enjoy and profit from. Turn off email prompts from groups you don’t really use and focus on the few that are really useful.

4. Join Regional Super Groups

Now you might move to New York for the perfect job, but it is usually cheaper and easier to stay in your current location. Most metropolitan areas have regional super groups like Linked:Seattle that connect regional groups of people. These are some of the best groups to join because they provide direct access to potential leads that you can quickly turn into personal connections.

Every region has it’s own cultural attractions like football games, museums and gardening clubs. Many of these also have LinkedIn groups. Get out there in person and get connected!

5. LinkedIn And Other Social Media Management Groups For EDU

Did you know that there are groups on LinkedIn that specialize in social media (i.e. LinkedIn Groups Product Forum, and others for Facebook, Google+) and new developments/ideas related to social media? Even if this isn’t remotely an area you are interested in as a career, these groups are a wealth of information and a great place to learn more about how to use these tools.

Moreover, every social media company has positions in everything from accounting to sales and these companies are currently exploding.

6. Mine The LinkedIn Group For Reference Points

Most groups have three or four top contributors that can be thought of as reference points. Once you figure out the reference points in the group, map, and research them. Are these people you would like in your network? How can you add value to the group so you can get to know them better?

Remember that reference points are often as eager to connect with you as you are with them. New ideas and fresh perspectives are like diamonds. Bring them a few and down the line they may repay you with an amazing reference.

7. Brand A Style

Think about branding yourself and your style of group interaction. We all have our own personalities and value to add to any group. Start defining your online brand and think about keeping your tone and style consistent.

8. Recommendations

Touched on above, recommendations can be an excellent way to improve your LinkedIn resume. After you have settled into a few groups that resonate, start adding fresh ideas and fresh content. Become a group reference point. As group connections develop into direct LinkedIn connections start asking for references.

9. Get The Word Out

LinkedIn group membership doesn’t need to end with LinkedIn. LinkedIn can be used to publicize a blog or a website, it can become a depository for certain types of Facebook friends. LinkedIn groups become even more powerful when they are connected from both within and without.

10. Idea Farm

LinkedIn provides one platform filled with ideas just waiting for cultivation. A traditional workplace is a box; don’t let LinkedIn mirror your current cubicle. Groups encourage the breaking of the box. Some groups require membership – apply. Take a look at what they are doing over in that box over there and there and there. Keep an idea journal and use it to enhance your value in your core groups.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

About Six Sigma Online

Six Sigma Online offers the best self-paced online certifications in Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt, Lean Six Sigma and DFSS.

3 Secrets to Sending a LinkedIn Invitation that Work Every Time

Help hints found at:

http://www.careerealism.com/sending-linkedin-invitation-works/

As so much in social media is trial and error, I was happy to receive some advice from a Career Enlightenment subscriber, Hugh Knight.
We’ve all experienced the frustration of sending out a LinkedIn invitation and getting ignored. Even though I consider this bad LinkedIn etiquette, people are busy or uninitiated. Hugh has found a great process for getting around this problem.

Step 1: Search For Related People

No, I don’t mean relatives. I mean people related to your field of interest. Use LinkedIn’s people search with targeted Keywords. In Hugh’s example, he searched for people with the word “Sharepoint” in their profile.

Step 2: Be Totally Transparent

Too many people simply send off a LinkedIn invitation without personalizing it. I know some folks who categorically refuse to accept un-customized invitations.
When you send your invitation, LinkedIn asks you how you know this person. Pick “friend,” even if you don’t know them.
Hugh highly recommends a 100% transparency policy when reaching out. These new connections have very little knowledge of you except for what you have in your note. So, use the following phrase to make it clear why you want to connect.

I am new to the area and am wanting to build my network.

Step 3: Begin On Common Ground

If you notice anything in common with this person, be sure to mention it right away.
If you have a mutual connection, say “We have a mutual friend in (someone’s name).”
If you have a school in common, or anything else, mention it.

Bonus Tip: Leverage Your New Connection

When they accept your invite and it shows in your e-mail. Follow up with this easy text:

Thank you so much for accepting my LinkedIn Profile invite. I would be interested in obtaining any suggestions or contacts that you think would be in line with my background and work experience.

Notice these two things with this note:
A. Beginning and ending thank you
B. Asking for suggestions or contacts
Try this approach the next time you invite someone to your LinkedIn network, and tell me how it works for you!
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

About Joshua Waldman

Author of Job Searching with Social Media For Dummies. Recognized as a top authority in Social Media Career Advancement. Watch his exclusive video training here.

How to ask for a LinkedIn recommendations

Excellent tips found at:

http://www.careerealism.com/linkedin-recommendations/

In all of the conversations I’ve had with recruiters and hiring managers, I’ve never once heard that a weak recommendation cost a candidate consideration for an opening. It’s not likely that a silly recommendation on your profile will damage you. However, when considering candidates, recruiters do say that they notice these three things about LinkedIn recommendations:

1. They count to make sure there is a strong ratio between the number of connections and the number or recommendations. A large network with few recommendations is a red flag.

2. An equal number of recommendations received to recommendations given is a red flag. It makes it look like the recommendations were mere reciprocity.

3. Recruiters look for quality (meaty) recommendations, and disregard flakey or fluffy ones as not credible.

So, how can you increase your number of meaty recommendations?

How To Ask For LinkedIn Recommendations

In years past, you didn’t really ask for recommendations, you wrote your own letter, presented it to your boss or mentor and asked them to make any changes to it and sign it. Back then, you needed only about three of these. So, it wasn’t always obvious that you actually wrote all of them yourself!
But with LinkedIn, you may end up with over 20 of these, and if you wrote all of them, it would be obvious. So, here is a way to ask for a freshly written rec without burdening your manager or mentor.

• Remind them that a LinkedIn recommendation isn’t a full letter; it takes only about 10 minutes and doesn’t need to be longer than three short paragraphs.
• Give them something specific to recommend about you. For example, “Would you mind talking about the ATT project we did together and the role I played?”
• Suggest three specific personality or professional traits you want them to mention. For example, “Would you mind mentioning my work ethic, ability to work in teams, and depth of experience working with large enterprise accounts?”

The Anatomy Of A Good LinkedIn Recommendation

Being specific in your request will help you avoid the “She’s a good person” type of recommendation. But you might also suggest the following format to help them whip something up even faster
Qualify your relationship with the person.
“I’ve known Jane for five years, and during this time, we’ve worked on countless projects together.”
Show that you’ve already taken action to vouch for them.
“When I became a manager in the department, I specifically requested that she join my new team.”
Describe a project they worked on that exemplifies a professional quality such as leadership or initiative.
“On a project with ATT, we were in danger of delivering late. Jane stepped up and found three additional resources to share the work. Through her leadership, we saved the project and… ”
Close the recommendation with a call to action by re-emphasizing those professional qualities
“If you are looking for a super organized, easy to get along with and tenacious project manager, Jane would be my first choice.”
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

About Joshua Waldman

Author of Job Searching with Social Media For Dummies. Recognized as a top authority in Social Media Career Advancement. Watch his exclusive video training here.