1. Maximizing LinkedIn for the
Job Search
Presented by Robert Rhodes
Contributions from the Community Career Center,
Naperville IL
(Updated 12/2012)

2. What is LinkedIn?
• LinkedIn is an interconnected network of
professionals
• You can find, be introduced to, and
collaborate with professionals
• Over 100 million professionals are on
LinkedIn

3. What is LinkedIn?
• Professionals from every Fortune 500
company are represented on LinkedIn
• Half of members are outside the US
• LinkedIn is in several languages

4. What can LinkedIn do for me?
• Increase visibility so you will be found
• Find other professionals
• Network
• Research companies
• Ask for assistance from connections

5. Connections
Networking - Everyone is connected. Six degrees of separation.

6. Connections
• Former co-workers
and supervisors
• Friends/associates
• Connections of
connections
• Virtual connections

7. Connecting with Connections‘
Connections

8. Where do you start?
• Build a detailed profile
• Send invitations to fellow networkers
• Join professional and alumni groups
• Request recommendations

9. Your Profile
• Name and professional photo
• Summary statement loaded with key
words for your profession
• All former positions and education
• Contact information, including phone
number and e-mail

10. Maximizing Your Network
• LI was originally designed as a way to
network with people you know
• Overtime, LinkedIn evolved to a network
of trusted contacts and their contacts
• LinkedIn now accepts the concept of
virtual contacts, in my opinion
• LinkedIn is divided into 1st level, 2nd
level and 3nd level contacts

11. Maximizing Your Network
• 1st level contacts - Direct contacts
• 2nd level contacts - Your direct contacts’
1st level contacts
• 3nd level contacts - Direct contacts of
your 2nd level contacts

12. How to Maximize Your Network
Invitations
• Customize invitations
Examples:
• Met you at the job club
• We belong to Greater Naperville LI group
• Do not send standard invitation
• If you don’t want to connect, better
option is to press Ignore
• Do not use the spam option

13. How to Maximize Your Network
Groups
• Groups are important for exposure
• Want to join numerous groups and
participate in these groups
• Can join up to 50 different groups
• Good way to meet contacts
• Some groups have in-person meetings

14. How to Maximize Your Network
LIONs
• Connect with a LION or LinkedIn Open
Networker
• LIONs have over 500 contacts and are
usually willing to accept invitations
• There is an option to disconnect without
their knowledge
• LIONs increase your number of 2nd level
connections

15. How to Maximize Your Network
Introductions
• Your direct contact can introduce you to
a 2nd level contact
• Introductions are a way to be introduced
to a contact that could help you
• Contact your connection via e-mail
before ask for an Introduction
• If you want to use Introductions, you
must be willing to introduce others

16. How to Maximize Your Network
Recommendations
• Recommendations are important for
your profile since they make it
believable
• Need at least 3 recommendations for
100% LinkedIn rating
• Best recommendations are from former
managers or co-workers
• Don’t ask someone you do not know to
write you a recommendation

17. How to Maximize Your Network
Skills Endorsements
• New feature on LinkedIn to
endorse specific skills

18. LinkedIn Resources
• Understanding, Leveraging and Maximizing LinkedIn by Neal
Schaffer Book (For purchase on Amazon.com)
• Windmill Networking Blog
http://windmillnetworking.com/blog/#axzz0iudyG Bcl
• 10 Ways to use LinkedIn Blog
http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2009/02/10-ways-to-use.html
Questions? Ask Bob About LinkedIn
Send me questions at rhodesone1@gmail.com