Getting linked in

Editor's Notes

• #5: Do I really have to?
• #6: Do you know what Google returns if someone searches on your name?LinkedIn Search Engine Optimization means that your LinkedIn profile is almost always one of the first results.If you want to de-emphasize LinkedIn a bit, there are some tricks you can employ: buy yourname.com domain, fill out additional profiles such as PeoplePond, Naymz, etc.This is especially important if you have a common name. “Michael Jones” or “Josh Ross” are too common to be easily found – great for dodging a crazy ex, but very bad if a prospective employer/client is trying to vet you.
• #7: If you work for someone else – passive job hunting is the most successful. Like it or not, it’s easiest to find another job when you’ve already got one. If you know layoffs are coming, don’t wait. Even if you are offered a retention bonus. You can negotiate a start date. But if you wait until you no longer have a job, it will be harder to find your next one.If you own your own business – LinkedIn is how people look up who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and what other people you know. LinkedIn is a powerful way for prospective clients or partners to see who they know who also knows you. This is incredibly valuable for doing ‘background research’ on someone. It won’t always yield detailed results (in the case of casual acquaintances), but if you are an expert in a niche, this is how people assess your credibility. “If I know that X is a big wig in this field, and you don’t know X, then I doubt you are as good as you say you are.”
• #8: Never need a new client or a new employerThe rare business that is exclusively based on personal referrals only (CPAs, lawyers, business coaches, etc.)
• #9: Two groups need LinkedIn more than most: marketers and technology professionalsNon-tech people don’t make the distinction between “web” and “tech” – how many people get ‘help desk’ requests from family members, even if you are a product manager or a semi-conductor engineer?LinkedIn demonstrates CURRENCY. If you are not actively using LinkedIn, you appear out of date – which is the kiss of death in the tech industry
• #10: Current title - If you are unemployed, do not PUT “unemployed.” Find places to volunteer or startups to help out. Put them on your profile and resume.Work history – At least 10 years. Should look as thorough as your resume, if not MORESO.Recent picture – If you don’t have one, come see me. I’ll take a picture with my phone and email it to you. This is a must.Networks – If you have less than 100 people in your network, you look inactive and disengaged.Groups – The single best way to demonstrate expertise. Recruiters monitor groups. And if they are checking up on you, they’ll look at which groups you belong to.
• #12: Recommendations – Give a little, get a littleBooks – The Amazon app. Reading recommendations.Groups – Answer questions, engageQ&A – Ask and answer questions
• #17: Alumni Groups: School & Biz, including Dell, HP, Intel, Google, Microsoft, Motorola, Samsung, etc. UT, of course.Types of products: SAP, Interwoven, Sharepoint, etc.Industry groups: Competitors, major news, big players, trends, etc.Professional groups: Discipline (product manager) and position (manager, director, etc.); hiring, coaching, mentorCareer groups: Recruiters, certifications, learning, best practices, etc.
• #18: Rule #1 – Give before you ask for something.Rule #2 – PROFESSIONAL networking rules apply.Rule #3 – When in doubt, observe first.