Martin B
Success Coach, speaker, trainer and author. Known for his focused, rapid-results coaching.
Why should someone with a job spend time with Linkedin?
Why should someone with a job spend time with Linkedin? Why should someone that thinks they have a stable job develop relationships with people in Linkdein? What have you said that got someone with a job to use Linkdedin? What are key actions that someone employed should do with Linkedin?
Clarification added 11 months ago:
I want to explain more about why I asked. I keep meeting people that lost their job that did nothing to network while employed and now they are starting. If I get good enough responses I may use it to encourage more employed people to join Linkedin NOW and dig their well before they need it vs. digging their own grave by not networking.
I have helped many clients get jobs and be promoted by using Linkedin as well as self employed or Sales people make clear advancements.
Thanks for all the great post! If I use anything here in the future I will be sure to give each person proper credit. My goal in 2009 is double the number of people that joined Linkedin and are using it because of resources I provide.
Clarification added 11 months ago:
"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" is like the comment "you can't push the river" but I say these people have not heard of salt and plumbing! We never know when our words will be the tipping point for someone and I appreciate all that have answered this question directly so far!
Clarification added 11 months ago:
This is such an important question I have created a blog posting on it with many of the answers. I will add the best new ones as well. Thanks for all the contributions:
http://tinyurl.com/linkedin4job
Good Answers (4)
John M. O
President, Career Pro of NC, Inc. or Career Pro Inc.
Best Answers in: Job Search (4), Education and Schools (1), Mentoring (1), Staffing and Recruiting (1), Career Management (1), Using LinkedIn (1)
Let me comment on this important question and focus on the question.
Why should someone with a job spend time with Linkedin?
As a Career Coach and Consultant, I must say that nearly everyone should view their current position as if it is in transition. In fact, most jobs and careers truly are in transition whether you know it or not.
Additionally I must say that not everyone who has job should "spend time" with Linkedin. As much as I am a proponent of Linkedin some careers and career paths may not be conducive to this network. But let's focus on most people in a career or job.
Let me make five quick points here on this subject:
1. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS. You will benefit from building relationships with key contacts throughout your career.
2. PRACTICE GIVING. The give value first before you expect to get value seems to be heavily promoted and a part of the Linkedin culture. That principle should guide all of your networking communications.
3. BUILD USING BUILDING BLOCKS. Linkedin can literally provide contacts, then relationships then solutions to problems you are trying to solve at work or while you are working. Why not take advantage of consistent networking and relationship building?
4. INVEST NOW - FOCUS YOUR TIME. Just spending time with Linkedin Martin simply is not enough. If you are going to utilize the features then utilize the features you need to reach your specific career goals. If you gain permission and acceptance of this device when you have a job then you don't have to panic use it if you are ever let go.
5. GET SPECIFIC. Answer the question - What has Linkedin done to help me with my career or what could it do? Find a coach, hire a professional and think about this question. Find out and apply all positive answers.
That's it for now Martin.
Greg H
Founder - Linking Raleigh NC.com Professional Network; Customer Retention Manager - iContact; Poken Evangelist
This is a great question because not many people want to think about what to do when they have to start a new job search. LinkedIn can serve several purposes for someone who is looking for a job or is not but might have to by force. In the case of the person not expecting a merger to happen or cut backs to include his or her position LinkedIn is where you belong. That person can use LinkedIn to network with co-workers and keep in touch with them after they are no longer working together. Networking with co-workers is like a "gateway drug." After that this LinkedIn user will start to expand their network beyond co-workers and join groups that meet their interests. Now this person has established their network and has it "on paper" so when it comes time to move on the transition is much easier.
On a personal note, I was told about LinkedIn by a co-worker who new I was transitioning to North Carolina. He insisted that I use this as a way to ask friends for help. He was right to suggest it and LinkedIn helped me find my current position through a connection.
Links:
Todd T
Technology Professional, Executive Director of the Triangle Networking Group
I believe networking to create constructive relationships is beneficial, whether employed or unemployed. For those unemployed without any strong network or experience being unemployment, one common attribute of networking I’ve observed is a sense of urgency or anxiousness that effects the conversation. The need for employment seems to bias the conversation. For those happily employed, this need doesn’t exist. I believe effective networking is about giving rather than receiving. Someone employed is in a better position to give. Hence, they can build constructive relationships that may benefit them in the future. LinkedIn provides a great forum for effective networking. Employed people should utilize LinkedIn.
Links:
Chuck H
Author at Linking In to Pay it Forward: Changing the Value Proposition in Social Media
Best Answers in: Public Relations (3), Non-profit Management (1)
The old adage "dig your well before your thirsty" sums it up for me. Making sure you have a network to turn to if you need them is very important, and LinkedIn is the best tool available to build that network.
As a Pay it Forward advocate, the ability to help others is also important, and again LinkedIn is amazing for making that happen.
Thanks to people like Greg Hyer and of course Martin Brossman, I enjoy a solid, deep network of professionals that I know I can turn to if I needed help.
It's a different world than it was in 2001 during the last dotcom bubble burst and 9/11. We are all in this together and it's important to maintain relationships in good times - and bad.
My book talks a lot about this very subject.
Links:
More Answers (36)
Daniel J
Division Leader at Primerica Financial Services and Owner, David Gordon Productions
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The average person will spend 7 years at one job. If you want you want your next job to be better than your present job, shouldn't you spend time meeting people who might offer you opportunities in the future? If you do, then when the time comes to move on (whether voluntarily or not), you will have people to call, rather than starting from square one.
Anyone who thinks they have a "stable job" is kidding themselves. There's no such thing.
But even if all you want to do on LI is increase your value as an employee, networking is a great way to do it. If you are in any sales-related field, obviously you need to prospect. But even if you aren't, meeting new people in the same field as you offers chances to improve your skills, find new ideas, and learn about new developments in your field.
Asking why you should spend time with LinkedIn is kind of like asking why you should bother spending time with people if it's not work-related.
I think Daniel gave a great answer. Business is about people and this is a great place to interact with other people... some of this may be about future job opportunities but there is much more than that (sharing experience with fellow professionals, networking with past colleagues etc).
Josh C
General Manager at Web Industries; Itinerant Writer; and Decent Little League Coach
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Hi Martin,
I use LI for a variety of purposes, including finding old friends and acquaintances, doing research on potential customers, networking with people at potential customers, and having fun.
And, should I find myself out of a job, I'll have a good network ready to help me.
Josh.
I think we are all pretty much singing the same tune. Plus, if you only used LinkedIn only during the times you *think* it is benefical to you, such as when you are job hunting, then you are not networking to your fullest potential. You never know what will change in both your personal and professional at any given time - keep connected.
Jim B
Senior LAN Administrator
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I am gainfully employed and expect to stay with my present employer for a few more years. At that time, I expect to relocate out of state. So I am participating at LinkedIn with the hope that over time I may develop at least casual relationships with people in my target area for a move. That was poorly worded but you get the drift.
In the meantime, LinkedIn is a chat room for adults/professionals. I spend time in the Q&A and less time in the Group discussions. Some of my own questions are professional, some are about hobbies. I have been disappointed with Q&A about IT but overall the conversations have been interesting.
Was listening to the radio this morning and the business correspondent was talking about how many people who have lost their jobs recently were philosophical about it by saying they really felt trapped in that job. I'm sure there are lots of people that have stayed in their current jobs because of fears of the economy. But a site like LinkedIn can open doors that they might not have even known about and one of them could lead to a dream job.
If that's not enough, its always nice to reconnect with people from your past.
Scott<>
Flyn P
LinkedIn Guru and Networking expert – Web marketer and marketing and sales expert. Let me know how I help.
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The socializer and casual user should be welcome on LI, but LI is a gold mine of opportunities and the person who has a job may have any number of reasons to be here -- but the one obvious one would be so that they could get themselves in a position where they didn't need the job and were completely independent.
As to what someone should do on LI one must start with some purpose.
If one comes to LI without the goal of improving one's own situation there is not much to do beyond socializing. If one is looking for opportunities of just about any kind there are probably people here who can help to forward those objectives in any number of ways.
Networking is valuable for any intended growth, and makes little or no sense for those who are or wish to stay static.
Bill N
Experienced, productive, and affable IT professional
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I enjoy the socializing, that's all, and have learned a lot. I guess there might be a benefit downstream if that dreaded employment status change came, but the interaction with a global community of intelligent (mostly) people is why this particular person with a job spends time here.
MaryJo D
Human Resources Manager - U.S. Operations
Best Answers in: Ethics (3), Using LinkedIn (2), Business Dining and Entertainment (1), Mentoring (1), Communication and Public Speaking (1)
I enjoy the social interaction (re-connections with old friends and establishment of new ones) as well as the opportunity to learn from my peers. Also, I don't have a crystal ball: right now I am gainfully and happily employed, but what if (2 of the most dreaded words!) something changes down the road? At least I will have a solid network to utilize as a potential source of new employment!
Marcelo Rahal C
IT/ Telecom, Sales/ Marketing and Project Management - 55 (11) 7885 0444
Basically because you/we never know what is going to happen “tomorrow”. LI is my default page when I open my browser. We MUST be tuned in the market movements like who is working where, etc. We never know when those people can help/ add value to us (in our carriers, recommendations, customers, etc.) And the most important thing is that we cannot use LI only when we looking for o job. In Portuguese we say “We only exist if we are remembered by people”.
David M
Managing Director of Sirleaf Pte Ltd and legal consultant. dmar9147@yahoo.com
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Because it is quite an interesting place to spend time. Whether it brings rewards is irrelevant. Some people will inevitably try to use it to sell themselves or their services, or to search for work. Necessity means you leverage your connections. But, overall, I find simply being here is reward in itself.
Eddie T
Head of Foreign Exchange (FOREX) & Account Executive for Futures, Options, Stocks, Bonds, Commodities & CFD's
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I have just realised how unfortunate I am!
I have had the basically the same job for nearly 29 years & been at the same company for nearly 18 years - holy c**p!
I also just joined Linkedin because I wanted to catch up with old friends & contact & make sure I didn't lose any along the way now we have this greta new tool! I hope I haven't misled myself here as well????
Don't think I would have changed either if I had the option!
They usually don't. My BF has a great job and is somone who is NEVER going to be fired or layed off, so he'll never going to open an account on linkedin or care about linkedin.
To paraphrase Bill Clinton, "It's about Networking, stupid!" You never know what will come of a new connection.
Gianluigi C
Consultant @ Traffic4u ★ Marketing Strategist @ Agora Media Group
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Hi Martin,
All is being said already in the answers above.
Networking should be part of daily life. When being stuck without a job and not having networked, someone is obviously too late.
You don't create valuable relationships and a network overnight.
Ramesh K
CTO & one of the Top 10 All time experts at Linkedin
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I do it as I enjoy doing it.
Some one implied that there are no 'stble jobs'. O dont agree to that. I worked in a Public Sector company where no one gets sacked under normal working conditions. Here I worked for 18 years. I switched to current job on 1999 to take up bigger technical challanges. And I am still here and dont intent to resign.
I am not sure, if I am imcreasing my presence on the net or trying to get attention from future employers !!
The questions challange me and try to answer to best of my knowledge and experience. If my answers are of some help to some one out there, it is a bonus for me.
Ramesh
The Human Search Engine
John ジョン S. R
APAC Business Development / Marketing Professional | Global Citizen | Photographer | Guest Lecturer
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Good day Martin,
In sum, I approach networking with a 'pay it forward' orientation.
Regards,
John S. Rajeski
Links:
Mark W
Godfather of Las Vegas at The Foundation - www.godfatherlv.com
Best Answers in: Job Search (2), Sales Techniques (1)
Because life is about family, friends and relationships...not material possessions.
I place $100,000+ executives. Average "C" level job tenure? Two years. Over 80% of these executives find their new job via personal and professional networks.
With the current economic state, I am the most popular person in Las Vegas. Plenty of calls from people I have not heard from in two or three years asking for jobs. No thank you.
Dig the well before you need a drink.
Build the bridge before you need to cross the river.
The best time to plant an oak tree was 25 years ago. The second best time is today.
Mark Wayman - The Godfather of Las Vegas
www.godfatherlv.com
Call me naively optimistic, but now that I've got a LinkedIn profile fully completed, I feel much more confident in my ability to locate a job. I've been fortunate enough to meet some incredible people, like Martin, Greg Hyer, Christopher Durham, and Chuck Hester--all people I may have never met without joining LinkedIn and the groups they participate in.
I think, especially in this economical climate, you would be crazy NOT to have as many career resources at your fingertips. They say you should always keep an eye and ear open to potential jobs because even if you love your job, you may find one that will lead you in a new and even better direction. Life and work are about the moments that lead us to our next great adventure--LinkedIn can guide you.
Not only is LinkedIn useful in a job hunt or meeting new business contacts, but it's also keeping me on top of new trends. Members post bulletins about interesting marketing ideas, trends in social media, and links to informative videos and articles on the web. In reality, my LinkedIn is an educational resource.
I've recommended all my friends get on LinkedIn and even made it part of a branding initiative for my consulting job. I'm currently looking for a job in Raleigh so I can relocate from Boston and I feel that I'm much more well-informed on what's out there for jobs.
You already know the answer to this question. For a lot of people it's a matter of "you don't know what you don't know". They don't see the value in it because they were too busy working. I personally do based on having been unemployed and everyone told me to "NETWORK". YIKES!! I had no clue.
Thankfully I found this site, started utilizing the "Answer" section and made several fantastic connections....I even gained employment thru a LinkedIn Group. But the friendships I've made go far beyond the job search. Now I just enjoy sharing ideas and learning from others!
"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink".
Thanks for the question Martin!
Skip W
Motivational Speaker and Recruitment Extraordinaire.
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Networking is something that should be done all the time. The greatest professionals are the ones who never stop networking.
Susan G
Hewlett Packard, Staffing Strategic Initiative Manager
Best Answers in: Staffing and Recruiting (4), Personnel Policies (1), Organizational Development (1)
LinkedIn provides a strong return on investment of time for all professionals. These include the ability to network with colleagues and share best practices; utilization of Amazon reading list to review and receive recommendations on books worth reading; ability to keep in touch with ones extended network (understand who in your network has gone to work for what company and what new challenges they have completed); uncover new business opportunities; understand more detail about people you work with including their work experience and educational history; and receive invitations to attend professional events and networking events. Of course, for those who are interested in exploring career opportunities, LinkedIn provides an edge in terms of helping connect with professionals who can help open doors at leading companies.
in my opinion it doesnot matter if you are with or with out job and are into networking like linkedin or anyother. It is a platform where you can easliy advertise yourself and your work. and according to me and my expirience advertising does not means sales! it is generating interest and product awareness it could be you or your work.
For example : if throw a stone in water you can see the circular rings and how fast it moves and vanish the heavier the stone-> big circles and fast movements like epicentre" i was trying to explain the concept" ..
for me it is global platform to advertise.
The preceding answers provide a wide overview as to many of the benefits of using Linkedin while gainfully employed. Connecting with new sales prospects, locating help on difficult problems, maintaining a “pulse” on your industry, and of course, establishing a support network well before you need it.
Another subtle value provided by Linkedin is the convenience and accessibility of the network information. As an executive of our company, I have spent the last 5 years turning around problem profit centers. Managing the projects, recruiting, marketing, and the systems development takes its toll on time, personal and otherwise. Many of my peers, working in similar situations, have made the same observation. We are all running hard to innovate and deploy, immersing ourselves in our businesses. Attending national seminars, trade shows, and other traditional networking events can become impossible for long periods.
Linkedin has provided a means of relief from the silo that the competitive business climate can create. It provides quick and easy access to a wealth of knowledge, packaged in very informative “personal profiles” and groups. I have had the benefit of making some great connections, obtaining real help, and most importantly being able to offer help to others. Access to Linkedin, from the hotel or wherever, can greatly expand your reach and widen your personal area of influence.
I was introduced to Linkedin by John O’Conner with Career Pro of Raleigh, NC. John has become a great resource to me and our corporation. I would also highly recommend “Networlding” by Melissa Giovagnoli and Jocelyn Carter-Miller. It provides great instruction on defining goals and developing plans, while leveraging social media, to yield personal success.
Links:
Bryan C W
Technical Marketing & Sales Consultant; Open to consider an Executive position.
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Plain and simple: to improve your networking for times when you need it to:
- search for a new hire
- search for a new job
- search for a new vendor
- search for a new customer
Networking is not something to do ONLY when job hunting. That defeats the advantage of an ongoing network and looks less opportunistic or desperate.
Why would you NOT use LinkedIn??
Martin,
Another reason for using LinkedIn is to help others.
For example, I recently found out that an acquaintance of mine works in the mortgage industry, and has an account. I have a Realtor in my network, so I asked my mortgage friend to join my network, and introduced the two. I don't know if anything will come from that, but I like to think that I helped two people in my network, and when the time comes that they may know someone who might be able to help me, they'll return the favor.
Isn't that what networking is supposed to be about?
