Everyone has a Network, But Many Have Not Developed It. Here is How to Do It. →

I have worked with over a thousand people on putting together their LinkedIn profiles, and it is clear that they, and maybe even you, don’t understand the full potential of this.

LinkedIn has over a billion connections, but not all of them are equally beneficial. It's crucial to be discerning when accepting connection requests. Daily requests, often prompted by LinkedIn's algorithms, can lead to a haphazard network. Instead, I would like you to focus on connecting with those who can add value to your professional journey.

When building your network, prioritize connections with people who know and have worked with you. This includes previous co-workers, supervisors, suppliers, and vendors who have interacted with the company you worked for, as well as the top management and owners of these companies. Also, consider connecting with the customers and competitors of your previous employers. These connections can provide valuable endorsements and recommendations, enhancing your professional profile. For instance, a positive review from a customer can showcase your customer service skills, while a connection with a competitor can provide insights into industry trends and best practices.

If you're considering a career change, including everyone you've discussed with within your network, especially those you've had informational interviews with, is crucial. These interviews are not just about gathering information, they can lead to valuable connections to help you navigate your career transition. Remember to include your more personal contacts and friends as well.

Employment often opens opportunities to attend trade shows and conventions; if that is the case, you likely gather business cards. Most of those business cards could be contacts to whom you send a connection request mentioning your recent meeting. When sending these requests, it's important to personalize them and remind the recipient of your interaction at the event. This will increase the likelihood of them accepting your request and help you maintain a professional relationship.

By approaching your profile connections this way, you will create a powerful tool that will serve you well into the future. It's essential to keep it current by adding new connections as they come to you. This step will give you a genuine network of value and show your commitment to nurturing your professional relationships.

Author Brent M. Jones Books in Alma Matter →

Lance Erickson, Ed.D. Director at Idaho State University

Idaho State University Career Center

  • Idaho State University

  • Pocatello, Idaho, United States

  • Brent: Thank you for recently sending a few copies of your books. We at the ISU Career Center have greatly enjoyed and learned from them.  Thank you for sharing your insights and wisdom! -Lance Erickson

LinkedIn is a "Must Have" Resource →

Why Professionals use LinkedIn for Networking and More : Optimizing, Focusing, and Keeping Your Profile Current

Why Professionals Use LinkedIn

I have worked with over a thousand individuals to help them complete their LinkedIn profiles. Likewise, I have spent time with most of those, helping them tailor their resumes to fit the jobs they wanted to apply for to their resumes. This involves matching the skills and titles from the job posting to be used on the resume when it fits and ensuring that what is wanted in the posting is shown on the resume.

LinkedIn is your gateway to job opportunities. Your resume may secure the job, but your profile is the key to speaking the language of algorithms. Understanding this language is crucial when completing your profile.

On LinkedIn, a "resume" is a document that can be specifically tailored to a particular job application, highlighting your most relevant qualifications for that specific role. A "profile" is a broader overview of your professional career, showcasing your skills, experience, and personal brand to a wider audience.

LinkedIn still Works

My book, “Why Professionals Use LinkedIn,” is not atheoretical discourse. It's a practical guide brimming with insights and strategies I've honed through real-world experience, ready to be put into action.

"LinkedIn, as Lewis Howes rightly puts it, is the only social media platform where people want to be advertised to. It's a unique space that offers unparalleled opportunities for career growth."

"LinkedIn is not about who you know; it’s about who knows you." - Janine Popick.

"LinkedIn, as Heather R. Huhman points out, is not a resume, it's a window. It's time to shatter the misconceptions and see it for what it truly is - a powerful tool for professional networking and personal branding."

LinkedIn is Bigger and Better with More Ways to Help →

This book provides several ways to benefit from using LinkedIn in your current or future jobs. Career changes work best when a good fit is made between the candidate and the employer. LinkedIn opens doors by providing an inside look and a clearer understanding of where a candidate fits best and where answers are needed.

Finding a job, networking, and researching are top reasons to use this resource. Finding a Job: LinkedIn is one of the easiest ways to do a job search, and likewise, it is a way to understand the strength of your resume better and learn what needs to be changed to better fit your ideal job.

Networking: Whether looking at companies as potential customers or for a job, you can search and find those people you are already connected with or should be with using LinkedIn. Research: Researching new career options, lead generation, content marketing, gaining competitive insight, and finding new supply sources