Social Business Success

Can LinkedIn get me a job?  Have any of you landed a job using LinkedIn?

These are two common questions that job seekers ask when using LinkedIn.  The questions are:  “Has anyone landed a job using LinkedIn?” and “Can LinkedIn get me job?”  Job seekers must feel that if enough people land positions using LinkedIn, then they will start using the program.  On the other hand, they must feel that they don’t want to waste their time if the program doesn’t work.  To me this is a unique way looking at the situation.  I believe people ask either of these questions because they are hoping they find that “magic fix” that will help them land that job.

LinkedIn is the number 1 source used by professionals to land new positions.

When I train people how to use LinkedIn, I always say that LinkedIn is another source they can use to reach their goal.  There is more to LinkedIn than meets the eye, especially to individuals new to networking.  Some of the knowledge and skills that individuals learn from LinkedIn will help them in life.

One area that LinkedIn will help a person across the board in networking.  Of course, that’s what LinkedIn is all about.  There are a few differences between virtual networking and networking face-to-face.

The second area LinkedIn helps people is that it makes them think about what their career ambitions are and the exact positions in which they would like to work.

Can LinkedIn get me a job?  I would answer this question by saying that LinkedIn is just one resource a person can use.  I would continue by asking that person a number questions such as:  How many people have you met with this week?  How many “networking events” have you attended?  Have you reviewed your weekly game plan?  Are you staying current in your profession?

Usually just doing one item on the “How to Land a Job list doesn’t land an individual a position.  It’s doing many things correctly that does it.  It’s just a like a rowing team.  Every member of the team has to do his or her job right in order for the team to have a chance to win.

Donna Schilder  responds to the myth “LinkedIn will get me a job” by saying nothing is going to “get you a job” but you.    She is absolutely right.

LinkedIn is one resource to be used in a job campaign.

There is a lot that LinkedIn offers people from the groups, connections, job listings, information on companies and more.  I don’t want to sound like ad for LinkedIn.  I was just trying to make a point.

It seems to be that if a person is asking can LinkedIn get me a job, that person wants to snap his/her fingers and voila, a job.  Ask anyone about landing a new position and the majority opinion will say it’s a lot of work.  There isn’t any one thing that does it.  All of the fundamentals have to work together.  If an individual needs help in an area, it’s up to that person to seek out the help.

I again answer that all-important question; can LinkedIn get me a job?  A person using LinkedIn for his/her job search will use many areas and skills in this area.  He or she will also learn something that they probably never thought they would learn.  That subject is social media.

Remember as Donna Schilder says, nothing is going to get you a job but you.  However, this shouldn’t stop you from using all of the resources at your disposal.