The number of LinkedIn critics
in my network seems to be on the rise. My colleagues tell me that they find the “endorsements” feature either controversial or inconsequential, and invitations from strangers (or SPAMmers) to be little more than inbox clutter. Perhaps the new LinkedIn Contacts feature will shift the tide. In the meantime, here’s a strategy that may inspire a renewed enthusiasm for the largest social network for professionals: Use LinkedIn to establish your next client’s job.
Let’s say, for example, that you know a lawyer who is looking for an in-house position at a company. Using the search field, type the keywords associated with the opportunity and use the drop down menu so that you are searching Jobs instead of People. LinkedIn will search the job postings associated with your network and provide a list of opportunities that match the keyword. Now you can let your lawyer friend know of the job openings available through your network and set up a warm introduction for the interview. If all goes well, they will soon have a new position at the company and you will have a new prospective client who is eager to return the favor.
You can use this same strategy to help your existing clients with their key challenges (assuming you know what they are). After all, most problems can be solved fairly quickly as long as you know the right people.
So maybe it’s time to cut LinkedIn some slack. Like most online tools, it's only useful to the degree that it is used thoughtfully.
