How well networked are you?

As the Stereo MC's once sang 'I'm gonna get myself, I'm gonna get myself, I'm gonna get myself connected' and after attending a LinkedIn course yesterday I know you really can 'meet' more people than you could ever imagine.  Mark Williams who runs the course for recruiters gave us a few facts: LinkedIn has 42million users worldwide and in the UK is growing at a rate of 75,000 people or potential candidates a month (46% of users are decision makers). 

The social networking phenomena is very much a part of our everyday with the likes of Facebook and Twitter but LinkedIn is a social network for business users and is not used to shout about how drunk you were at the weekend!

LinkedIn is a very powerful tool and in the right hands will prove to be a successful tool for recruiters.  My cynical side also knows that if abused by recruiters, it will further add negative feeling towards the industry as a whole and it undoubtedly will be.  That said if used correctly and ethically, people you approach will be flattered and connect with you, further widening your network and therefore making it easier for the smart recruiter to engage with his/her industry and be very much part of it rather than someone who is seen as 'a pain in the ****' who is only in it for the fee.  Join groups, get involved in discussions and politely approach prospective candidates or clients.  You must remember that people want to be found and the information they post allows you to target successfully - so give your targets a reason to get in touch. 

As someone who already uses LinkedIn, I came away from the course knowing that I had not been using it to its full power but was also safe in the knowledge I had not abused it.  LinkedIn should definitely be a part of your 'Recruitment Toolkit' but should be just that and not a reason to stop picking up the phone and actually talking to people.

So again as 'Stereo' MC's' said 'I'm gonna do it again, I'm gonna do it again'

 - Damon Thomas

Comments

[Mark Williams - LinkedIn expert & trainer]

Glad you enjoyed the course yesterday Damon. You are 'spot on' with what you say about unethical (or just lazy) recruiters potentially spoiling LinkedIn for the majority - When used correctly its a great tool for recruiters but also for business people in all sectors. I was at a networking meeting this morning and met someone who is launching an online fashion retail business. She used LinkedIn to find key individuals from that industry to invite onto the board of the company and who could help her to attract the right funding. She now has 3 impressive board directors - all found and approached through LinkedIn!