building and using a linkedin network
DESCRIPTION
Using contacts/connections to network with key employersTRANSCRIPT
Building a LinkedIn Network:
How to Build and Use Your Connections
Mark W. BiersdorfMSR SolutionsJuly 17, 2012
LinkedIn Use
• Access to decision makers, recruiters• Interviews – bios on interviewers• Be found by recruiters• Manage contacts that you meet• Send follow up notes – status updates• Paying it forward – help others to access your contacts
Who Should be in Your Network?
LinkedIn – Who to connect?
• Start with past co‐workers, bosses• Neighbors• Friends• Community & religious group members• High School, College friends
LinkedIn – Who to connect?
• Industry and corporate recruiters• Targeted company contacts – by title, direct network referral
• Association contacts; Toastmasters, Association of IT Professionals, etc.
Using your LinkedIn Network
Contacts at Target Companies
• Set Search field to “People” (not companies)
• Type in target company name• Search will look for contacts from your network that either worked at company or know targeted people.
Your Connections
• First – directly connected to you
• Seconds – connected to your contacts
• Groups – people in your groups
• Thirds – people connected to your 2nds, connected to your 1sts
First Connections
• Firsts – at target company– Deliver your resume– Introduce you to hiring managers– Do company research
• Firsts – not at target company– Ask the to introduce you to key target contacts– Do company research
Using Other Connections
• 2nd ‐ Electronic introductions• Groups – directly talk to other members, sometimes hiring managers
• Thirds – Generally ignore
Manage Contacts
• Add Tags, label contacts• Note to identify how you met them• Review their contacts for people you know• Continue to add more contacts
Send Updates
• Mail status updates to your connections– 50 connections at a time
• What is in your letter– Ask for more network connections– Tell what you are looking for– Offer to help others
Sample updateI hope you have a nice weekend planned as we head into the fourth of July.
In addition to business consulting, starting a second Toast Masters chapter, self‐education, and teaching managers effective use of Social Media in a job‐search, I am still searching for a full‐time IT management position or work as a project management contractor. Contracting positions of particular interest would include Social Media, cloud or virtual desktop projects, although I am flexible. My favorite position involves working closely with the organization stakeholders. I am also looking for additional networking contacts, particularly in medical, consulting and higher education.
I have been networking very actively in both the city and suburbs. Please let me know if you would like to be introduced to any of my connections.
For more details on my background, you’ll find director and project management resumes and Social Media presentations on my LinkedIn profile in the Box.net account.
Thanks.
Mark‐‐‐‐Mark Biersdorf847‐366‐[email protected]://www.linkedin.com/in/markbiersdorfhttp://www.twitter.com/mark_biersdorf
Questions?