The Job Search: Getting Found

Job searchers must get LinkedIn. At least, that's the conventional wisdom for boomer-aged job searchers. If a resume on monster.com is akin to tossing a resume out of an airplane at 30,000 feet, then what is a profile "in," meaning in LinkedIn's network of 25 million registrants? Presumably, the status of being "in" means being connected to known or recognizable contacts by which your reputation is enhanced.

Profile. Making connections in the network requires creating a profile and then getting found. The profile-making is not so difficult if you've already been writing cover letters to potential employers. You've already established the best 10 or 15 words to describe your interests and skills. LinkedIn is simply one more place to input those words.

Getting found: This is the part that requires more decisions. Should you let the website search your email contact list for matches on LinkedIn? Should you manually enter email addresses for a similar search? Should you seek or accept recommendations, introductions, connections, and InMail? Should you "work the network" and join groups, send InMail, make recommendations?

On a personal note: I don't mean to minimize the effort required to publish a profile on LinkedIn. There are many steps. The screens are busy and require re-reading to catch all the details. And I required 3 attempts to produce the URL to my profile (button above) and it still doesn't always link on the first try. But it is free. And it does permit a non-interactive approach, which suits me. That's in contrast to Facebook, on which I also feel compelled to comment—tomorrow. ~ Lida

© 2008 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (www.marybold.com, www.boldproductions.com, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as professional, legal, financial, or medical advice. Or education advice. Or marital advice. Or even a tip.