Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn in Your Job Search

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When you're a Group member, you can participate in online discussions, contact other group members for one-on-one conversation, and expand your LinkedIn network. Once again, be careful not to invite people to join your network willy-nilly. Soliciting strangers can get you in the LinkedIn doghouse. Make invitations thoughtfully.

8. Now Start Searching

LinkedIn includes an incredible people-search engine that serves as a boon to job seekers. Start at the upper left area of the site by clicking on the People tab—that's the search area. Fill in as many fields as you like and hit Search at the bottom of the page to start a search of the vast LinkedIn database. Remember that the more first-degree connections you have, the better for your overall (out to the third-degree) reachable network and searches. A great LinkedIn search is a simple search containing just your zip code (in the Location field) and a keyword or two (in the Keyword field). This search will let you know about employers you may never have heard of, great fodder for further research in your job search. Another great search is to type your own desired title into the Title field and include your zip code. Now you'll see which local employers have people doing the job you want to do—more possible targets for your job search.

9. Organize Your Contacts

LinkedIn's new Profile Manager tool lets you organize your connections by folder and even tag and organize the profiles of people outside your network.

Use the Profile Manager to keep track of people you've spotted in your LinkedIn searching and browsing, much the same way you use bookmarking tools to keep track of interesting content you find online. The Profile Manager is your own personal filing-and-annotation system for use while you're surfing LinkedIn. It's a great way to recall what you know about people, e.g., "This is the guy Sally mentioned at the Chamber luncheon. She's going to introduce me to him."

10. Get Introduced

Use the "Get Introduced Through a Connection" link at the upper right area of any LinkedIn profile to obtain introductions to job-search decision-makers and influencers through your first- and second-degree networks. When you click on the link, two envelopes will open. One of them will let you ask your first-degree friend for an introduction down his or her chain of contacts. The other envelope allows you to compose a message to the person you're trying to reach at the end of the line.

LinkedIn is a job seeker's secret weapon. If you're not in the LinkedIn network, there's no time to waste.

Liz Ryan is an expert on the new-millennium workplace and a former Fortune 500 HR executive.

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