Utilizing Online Social Networking Tools Andy Rouse RG Search RG Search LLC1

What is “online social networking”? Tools on the Internet which help you stay in touch and connect with your network Examples: – First tier: LinkedIn.com – business social networking Facebook.com – personal social networking Twitter.com – can be used for business/personal – Second tier: Myspace.com - personal Plaxo.com - both Meetup.com - both Many others

Why use social networking tools? Great way to find key people – Find people within your “network” who work at specific companies – Learn great information about people Great way to reconnect with former colleagues, old friends, classmates, etc Identify mutual connections with key people Great way to be found

LinkedIn Overview Users build “profiles” – very similar to a resume…good idea to pull from yours You connect to business contacts and more – current and former coworkers, alumni, and other business contacts Utilizes the 3 degrees of separation rule

How to Get Started with LinkedIn Go to Register Upload your address book Select contacts to whom you’d like to send invites Customize and send invites to your contacts

Build Your LinkedIn Network After you build your profile, with work and education history – it will allow you to look through alumni lists and send invites Think through other people that you know and send them invites Personalize invitations where possible – i.e. you haven’t seen a coworker in 5 years, add a personal note Join groups, and get involved

Other Tips Utilize LinkedIn to identify people who you can call or LinkedIn is only an enabler for networking – just signing up and sending out invitations isn’t enough Be professional – use discretion when sending invitations Be seen! Optimize your profile, just like your resume, to include keywords for which recruiters/hiring managers might search