Free LinkedIn Webinar – January 29th

Jan Vermeiren and Bert Verdonck, authors of How to REALLY use Linked and leading authorities, are offering a free webinar on LinkedIn.   For a review of their book, see the Career-ology Reading List page.

Unless you are an expert using LinkedIn, this will be time well spent.  Below is a copy of the email I received with details and a link to register. Read more

LinkedIn’s New Profile Page

Did you know that LinkedIn changed the way your profile is displayed?  If not, go check it out and then tune up your profile using 6 Tips for Mastering Your New LinkedIn Profile, Marla Tabaka’s article on INC.com:

1. Put more emphasis on your profile photo.
2. Take advantage of what’s no longer featured.
3. Work on your headline–it’s more important than ever!
4. Also note: The summary section is much more prominent.
5. Treat “contact information” like a business card.
6. Consider that website addresses are harder to find.

Who is on your team?

Most successful people will say that networking has played an important role in their success.  I would challenge anyone who says that his or her success was completely self-determined.  Your professional network is a critical factor in your career success.  Actors, athletes, artists and musicians, entrepreneurs, scientists, architects, educators, politicians, lawyers and doctors can all benefit from a solid professional network.

Your professional success is a team effort . . . the question is, “who is on your team?”

Your team, or professional network, includes Read more

READING LIST: The Startup of You

Reid Hoffman is the co-founder and executive chairman of LinkedIn and knows a thing or two about the power of networking.

The Start-up of You is not a technical “how to” book about the world’s most popular professional networking site, but instead a philosophical discussion about approaching your career with the mindset of entrepreneur.  Hoffman along with his co-author, Ben Casnocha suggest that you consider your career in permanent beta– as a professional, you are never complete, but instead always aiming to grow, expand and improve.

Who should read this book? Read more

Getting Started on LinkedIn for College Students

There is never a better time to get started using LinkedIn than while you are still in college. Unlike Facebook, which you’ve probably used primarily for your social life, LinkedIn should be reserved for your professional life.  And even though you are a couple of years away from your first professional job, now is the time to start building your LinkedIn profile and network.  LinkedIn is a very powerful business tool and a “must have” for all professionals.  For more insight on the use of LinkedIn among recruiters, check out this article, “20 Reasons Why LinkedIn Will Be the #1 Recruiting Portal of the Future.”  Read more

LinkedIn Maps to Visualize Your Network

LinkedIn Maps is a tool for visualizing your professional network.  It takes only a few minutes and reveals clusters, gaps and connectors in your network.  Here is mine:

The Power of LinkedIn

LinkedIn is one of the most popular and powerful social media websites of our time.  I would argue that it is one of the most powerful business tools ever invented.  I say this because I believe that people with whom you interact are the single most important factor in your career.

Let me be more specific, it is the relationships you have with the people around you—your colleagues, managers, customers and clients– that determine your professional success.  And LinkedIn is the most powerful tool for helping you manage and grow your professional relationships.

All social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, Myspace and Twitter and are Read more

The Most Important 10 Minutes You’ll Ever Spend on LinkedIn

At the beginning of January, I posted Reading List: How to Master LinkedIn in 7 Days or Less, and noted that Jan Wallen’s book includes a tip that by itself is worth the price.  Well, Jan was kind enough to allow me to post her tip here.

Read the tip.  Read more

Seth Godin’s Email Checklist

Godin’s email checklist has been around for a few years, so you may have seen it.  If not, it is definitely worth a read.  There are too many recommendations to be practically used as a checklist, however, they are all good.  Here are the most important recommendations to consider for your professional email:

13.  Am I angry? (If so, save as draft and come back to the note in one hour).
14.  Could I do this note better with a phone call?
21.  Could this email be shorter? Read more

Reading List: Mastering LinkedIn in 7 Days or Less

Jan Wallen's BookJan Wallen’s Mastering LinkedIn in 7 Days or Less  is a must read for LinkedIn newbies and experienced users alike.  Because of Jan’s extensive professional experience in Fortune 500 and Big 5 firms, her book focuses on the very practical aspects of utilizing LinkedIn to find a job, identify new clients and grow your business.

The book covers the basics from creating  your initial profile to searching for and connecting with people in your network.  As an extensive user of LinkedIn for her own business, Jan provides many of her own insider secrets, tools and services throughout.

There are specific steps for days #1-7 starting with determining your LinkedIn philosophy.  On Day #6, you’ll learn about The Most Important 10 Minutes You’ll Ever Spend in LinkedIn.  This information alone is worth the price of the book and the time spent reading it.  Each day covers a different topic and by Day #7, you will have had the full tour.  Some of the other important topics include:

  • Why LinkedIn shouldn’t be used as your electronic resume
  • Maximizing your LinkedIn profile with Recommendations & Answers
  • Determining your purpose and goals for using LinkedIn
  • Why to include the link to your LinkedIn profile in your email signature and how to get your “vanity” link
  • 10 Ways You Never Thought of Using LinkedIn

There are many books covering LinkedIn.  This is one of the best.

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