Three Strategies for Connecting with People You Don't Know on LinkedIn

In the midst of an active job search, the ability to land a job is often directly connected with your networking efforts. The larger your network, the greater your chances of gaining access to the elusive "hidden job market." This often means making an attempt to connect with people you don't know in order to network your way into a company. 

Unless the person with whom you are trying to connect is a LinkedIn Open Networker (LION), then you may find some resistance and your requests may go ignored. If you have too many people click the I Don't Know or Ignore button to your connection requests on LinkedIn, you may end up with your account restricted. The best course of action is to ask someone in your network to make a person introduction. If that is not an option, use these strategies to boost your success rate.

Customize Your Invitation

LinkedIn provides you with a template for your connection request. It reads "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn." This impersonal template gives the reader the impression that you could not spare the time and make the effort to send a personal request. Instead, take the time to write a short note - LinkedIn only gives you 300 characters - about why this person should consider connecting with you. 

For example, a job seeker may write something such as "We've never met but I admire the ABC Company's dedication to advancing technology in the solar energy field. Can we connect? I'd love to learn more about your company." Remember, successful networkers never talk about what others can do for them. Therefore, asking directly for job leads from an HR manager will be a definite red flag.

Research the Person

Once you have the name of a person, go out and conduct research on this person. Look for articles or blogs they have written, organizations where they have membership or other facts that you can use to make a personal connection. Use this information to customize your invite, as mentioned above. For example, a job seeker may say "I just read your article on (fill in the blank) and completely agree with your point of view. I would love to connect with you professionally so we can continue to share ideas." Simply providing context of why you want to connect will be often enough to convince them to click the "connect" button.

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile First

Whenever I receive a connection request from someone I don't know, the first thing I do is look at their profile to determine if they are someone with whom I would like to network. Make sure your profile is updated and in the best possible format before you start making requests. Use this previous blog post to evaluate your profile. 

Are You Making One of These LinkedIn Mistakes - Part 3

In this third installation of common LinkedIn mistakes, I want to evaluate your communications that take place through this valuable social networking tool. Let's look at two facets of communication - within the LinkedIn site itself and outside of LinkedIn.

Communication Within LinkedIn
The creators of LinkedIn were so generous when they launched the site. Any time you go to communicate with someone within LinkedIn - sending an invitation, requesting an endorsement or simply sending an email - the website generates an automated communication. However, if you want to truly use LinkedIn to its full potential, never send the automated communication.

• Always customize your communication with a personal note - even if the contact is someone you work with on a daily basis.

• If attempting to connect with a recruiter or establish a networking contact within a company, preparation is key. Research the company's needs, problems, and values to identify how you can be of assistance to them.

• Reach out to human resources or hiring manager contacts by sending a customized invitation to connect. This invitation should state your background and skill set and convey your desire to keep on top of what is happening in that company's industry by making connections via LinkedIn.

Communication Outside of LinkedIn
Use the connections you form on LinkedIn to take that online relationship outside into the "real world." Don't rest on your laurels and revel in the number of connections you have established on LinkedIn. Instead try to form real human relationships using your LinkedIn connection as a launching point.

•  Request informational interviews where you can either meet in person or speak on the phone for 15 minutes and get the chance to pick your contact's brain for additional inside scoop.

• Think of LinkedIn as a resource that you can proactively use to build your network. Be willing and available to make recommendations and endorsements when requested. In order to expect assistance and referrals from your network, you must be willing to make the effort to help them as well. 

Three Ways to Show Gratitude Through LinkedIn

As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, I want to examine a few ways that job seekers and professionals can show their gratitude to those people in their professional network through LinkedIn. First of all, if you do not have a LinkedIn profile your first step is to take care of that oversight.

LinkedIn has become one of the most important networking tools for professionals. People are getting found on LinkedIn for job opportunities, being selected for consulting positions, and connecting with long-lost professional contacts. However, you can also use LinkedIn to build relationships. Here are three ways you can show your gratitude to your contacts and build solid relationships using LinkedIn.

Endorsements
This is a relatively new tool on LinkedIn. When a person has selected their skills and expertise, you can go into their profile and offer a personal endorsement of that skill. If you have first-hand knowledge of your contact's ability to successfully utilize one of their selected skills, all you have to do is go into their profile, hover over the skill they have selected and click on "endorse." This will build your contact's credibility.

Recommendations
This takes a bit more time and thought, but offering a personalized recommendation is another way to show appreciation for your contact. When writing a recommendation for your contact, think about the skills they have discussed in their profile and their skills and expertise section. Write a minimum of two to three sentences about your impression of their skills. Include a brief example or story of how they have impacted you in your recommendation to increase the validity of the message.

Introductions 
Networking, especially social networking, is about making new connections. Always be willing and available to assist your existing network of contacts to connect with each other. When done right, networking is a give and take relationship that benefits everyone involved. Reach out to your contacts with a personal message about the person you want to introduce and clearly state what they are looking for and the type of assistance they need. People can't help unless they know what is needed.