Joanne Gore – Vice President – Xplor Canada

I first heard about LinkedIn around the time it was founded, back in 2003. At the time, I was working as a Marketing Manager for an Internet Incubator. The Internet was a pretty new thing and everyone was caught up in the .dot com era.

It didn’t take long for that bubble to burst. Many companies did not survive, including my employer. LinkedIn, however, thrived. There was no twitter. No Instagram. No Facebook. LinkedIn WAS social media…we just didn’t know it yet.

According to Digital Marketing Ramblings, today there are 347 Million LinkedIn users, 107 million in the US alone. 56% are male and 44% are female. 2 new members join LinkedIn EVERY SECOND. 40% of users checked LinkedIn every day. (more stats here…)

WOW.

If you’re a business professional, chances are you have a LinkedIn profile. If you’re reading this and you don’t…stop reading. Now. Create a profile. Now.

Still need convincing? Over the years, I’ve used LinkedIn to connect with old colleagues, find jobs, and make money as a consultant. Whether you are in Sales, Marketing, Senior Management or a student, there are ways to make LinkedIn work for you. Here are some examples:

  1. LinkedIn is a great way to research your prospects. Take a look at their company page. Find out who’s in your direct network. Discover connections you didn’t realize you had. Engage.
  2. Looking for a job? There are currently 3 million active job listings on LinkedIn. 94% of recruiters use it to vet candidates. That’s right…94%! Spend the time mining not only your network, but the network of key influencers within your network. Ask for introductions with carefully crafted emails. Using the boilerplate “I want to connect with you” won’t cut it if the recipient has no idea who you are. But if you reference mutual connections, and are honest with your objectives, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the positive responses (I know I was!)
  3. Looking for consulting gigs? Find out who’s hiring. Reach out and offer to help fill the gaps, while they continue their search for the ideal, full-time candidate. Not everyone will be open to this concept. Some are adamant that they want a full-time employee and that’s ok! Thank them and leave the door open. When I was a consultant, I would often get calls 2 or 3 months later. The company still hadn’t filled the role and could I please help! And of course, I was happy to oblige! In one such instance, my contract lasted nearly a year!
  4. Are you a student looking for your first job? Perhaps you’re seeking a mentor. It’s never too soon to start connecting. Find the companies that you’re interested in. Craft a professional introduction letter. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. There are some great resources to help you. Here’s a link to just one.
  5. Always be networking! Keep making connections. Know where your connections are, what they’re doing, and who they know.
    The next time you wonder where to find leads, where to make contacts, where to find a job, or simply where to begin…spend some time on LinkedIn…the original social media network.

Originally posted on Print Media Centr