You are invited to the LinkedIn Party!

There are so many opinions about LinkedIn as a social network and the value of connections you have never actually met. There are as many negative reviews as there are positive.

Don’t look for reason to pick something you don’t understand apart. Yes, you get the occasionally “creepy” person. Yes, you get those that add you whereas you have absolutely no reason to be connected. Unwanted service and job solicitations?  Yes. But, just maybe you are looking at LinkedIn all wrong.

Look around your office right now?  Is everyone the same?  Did they all come from the exact same background?  Are they all from the same neighborhood? Same professional experience?  Same education? How is it that you all came together to commit these years of your life to a common career theme?

Before my main point let’s look at some basic facts about LinkedIn that may change your perspective about what’s going on:

1.    94% of recruiters are on LinkedIn, only 36% of job seekers are.

The takeaway: the people hiring talent are on LinkedIn; you should be, too.

2.    75% of those who get new jobs have not actively been looking.

The takeaway: your chances of landing a job the traditional way is getting slim. Instead, pursue alternative methods.

3.   Here’s a secret: you don’t need to be an “A-player” (yet) to get the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. But you do need to look like one.

The takeaway: Design your LinkedIn profile to look like an A-player, and you’ll start getting attention.

4.    In the same way that an Uber or Lyft gives you verification about the person who is going to pick you up in the car, you want to know who you’re going to hire or do business with or partner with in a professional context.

The takeaway: Your LinkedIn profile is your professional validator. It shows you do indeed exist and are not too good to be true.

5.    If you apply to a job anywhere, there is a 80% chance they will Google your name. it’s more than likely that your LinkedIn will show up near the top of the results page—which is a good thing if you have a good profile.

The takeaway: Your personal brand is EVERYTHING!

LinkedIn is about branding.

Branding your new startup, branding your company that has been in existence for twenty years or simply branding you and your experience. Your name will be Googled many times over the next year no matter what you are doing. For sure if you are job hunting your name will be googled. If you are trying to get new business for your start-up or existing company your name will be Googled. Your competition will Google you.  People you meet on the street today will Google you.  Let’s face it, this is the real world and there is nothing we can do about it at this point.

A LinkedIn profile is one of the first things that pop up.

Now here is my point. Do you want to “control” what people read, or do you want to let that fate fall in the hands of people who are assuming who you are?

On LinkedIn you have the chance to layout your work experience and have a say in how it will be perceived.  You can expound on that experience or explain something that may reflect negative is read online or asked from an ex-employer.

You also have an opportunity to share industry news.  Set yourself up as an expert.  Let’s face it, you probably are an expert and the best at your job, but no one knows it but you. How many times are you looked over?  This is your chance to write about your contributions.

I encourage you to look at your LinkedIn Network as you would attending a party.  Get to know everyone!  Mingle a little, share stories. Have some fun and don’t always think everyone has an ulterior motive.

I will tell you a very quick little story that will blow your mind! A few years ago, my family was scheduled to visit Hong Kong.  17 of us!  We were booked into a Sheraton Hotel. The Hotel was over booked and we were late to the party so using points we received the “basic” room accommodations. That was fine, but we really wanted to be in the tower and enjoy the club lounge not only for comfort but to save a few bucks feeding that army. I noticed on my LinkedIn that the General Manager and I were connected on the site. I took a chance and messaged him about how excited we were to go to Hong Kong and stay at his hotel.  I also stated we were in the main building and were disappointed the tower was full.  I didn’t ask for anything.  The next day I got a message from his assistant in New York.  My entire family had been upgraded to the tower suites with full access to the club lounge. Wow, I still get goosebumps things about that day. The craziest thing is when we arrived and checked in, on our way up the elevator I noticed a familiar face in the elevator with us.  Yes, Mr. Wong on his way to his office. We all thanked him, and I am quite sure he had no idea who we were.  I think it was like Chevy Chase on “Vacation”, but you get my point.

Anyway, make your own brand and reach for the stars.  Good luck to you all.

Credit https://learntocodewith.me/posts/reasons-to-use-linkedin/ for the stats.