A candidate recently asked me, “How do I find a hiring manager in a large company like Microsoft?” There are a lot of ways to do this but one of the easiest and best is using LinkedIn. When I recommended this to the candidate he completely agreed, however, the problem was he only had about 60 connections. Too few to be effective.

Some benefits to a large LinkedIn database of contacts:

1. People can find you. The more people at the second and third degrees of separation the more times you will show up in a search. For example, I have around 500 contacts. However, I am linked to over 5 million people on LinkedIn. When I search for a candidate that is a huge database.
2. LinkedIn will eliminate the need for resume databases on Ladders, Monster, Careerbuilder and other job boards. This is because it costs on average between 5,000 and 10,000 dollars to have access to these resume databases. LinkedIn is free. Why would a recruiter or any company pay that when we can use LinkedIn for free.
3. Resumes databases by the job boards are not pick up by Google or any search engine. These are the ones you want to make sure you show up on. LinkedIn is and you can even improve your search results for as little as $25 a month. (See prior blog article SEO Your Search On Google)
4. It helps you find the people you want an introduction to. This is very powerful. I have helped numerous people with introductions as a result of LinkedIn. On a weekly basis I receive requests indicating they found a person in my connections and would I make an introduction. I always agree.
5. Even when working this is a great tool for resources, customer contacts and introductions, references, service providers and even potential hires for you or your company.
6. On a personal basis it is a great way to stay in-touch with friends, colleagues, prior employees and networking contacts. When you update your profile they will get a notice and likewise when they update theirs.

Work hard at building your connections. Make every effort to reach that magic 500+. If you use Outlook download the LinkedIn tool bar. It makes inviting people very easy.

There are many more positives to building your LinkedIn network than there are negatives. Many have resisted. I believe this recession has proven to be good thing for everyone’s network.

If you have other ideas share them by adding a comment. Lets help everyone build a strong network.

A good way to start is building a network is making sure your profile is complete. If it isn’t start there and then begin expanding your contacts. Don’t miss the opportunity to get a high ranking on Google.

You can download for free our “8 Matrix LinkedIn Profile Assessment” tool.

If you are like me you may be wondering what to do every time you go to a networking event to get the most out of your time, money and effort.  I have been to Meetups, Mixers, Social Networking Groups and I have always walked way asking myself what could I do differently so that when I am in a situation where I am meeting new people, I can make meaningful and long lasting relationships.  Here are some tips that may help you that have helped me.

1. Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.

2. Ask yourself what your goals are in participating in networking meetings so that you will pick groups that will help you get what you are looking for. Some meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering rather than on strictly making business connections.

3. Visit as many groups as possible that spark your interest. Notice the tone and attitude of the group. Do the people sound supportive of one another? Does the leadership appear competent? Many groups will allow you to visit two times before joining.

4. Hold volunteer positions in organizations. This is a great way to stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you.

5. In networking conversations. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how as opposed to those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. This form of questioning opens up the discussion and shows listeners that you are interested in them.

6. Become known as a powerful resource for others. When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc. This keeps you visible to them.

7. Have a clear understanding of what you do and why, for whom, and what makes your doing it special or different from others doing the same thing. In order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you do that you can easily articulate to others.

8. Be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you. Too often people in conversations ask, “How may I help you?” and no immediate answer comes to mind.

9. Follow through quickly and efficiently on referrals you are given. When people give you referrals, your actions are a reflection on them. Respect and honor that and your referrals will grow.

10. Call those you meet who may benefit from what you do and vice versa. Express that you enjoyed meeting them, and ask if you could get together and share ideas.

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Jonathan Browning of Screaming Frog Productions produced this wonderful video called “The Job”. They’re an Los Angeles based independent Production company specializing in short films.

By Daryl Piga, Career Consultant with Robert Half International

Here are six key mistakes that job seekers keep making during this down economy:

1. Sticking to a job search routine that isn’t working.

Often, job seekers will spend all of their time looking at job boards for listings and e-mailing resumes in response. Then, when they don’t find anything, they give up. This strategy typically doesn’t bring positives results by itself. While it’s important to search all the top job boards, you also should be spending your time networking and staying up to date on your industry trends. Just remember, if your current strategy isn’t working, it’s probably time to retool your approach.

If you’re in a highly competitive field, for example, you may be one of hundreds of applicants for a job that’s posted on a prominent site. You can reduce the competition by posting your resume on niche job boards and searching business journals for companies that are expanding and contacting them directly. Or perhaps you can sign up with a recruiting firm to learn about jobs that aren’t necessarily advertised.

It may be that you need to look for a different type of job, or in a different industry or city, as well. Don’t pigeonhole yourself in your search. Be as open-minded as possible.

2. Appearing defeated or desperate during the interview.

Sometimes there can be a fine line between someone who is aggressive in their job search, and someone who is desperate.

It’s smart to be somewhat aggressive and go a bit out on a limb. That could mean following up with potential employers after you’ve sent a resume, asking your contacts for help (politely, of course) or even offering to work for someone on a trial or temporary basis while you both evaluate whether it’s a fit.

Desperation consists more of attitude than actions. Try to maintain a sense of self-confidence and remind yourself of your self-worth. An extended job-hunt can take a toll on your self-esteem, but you want to project a positive image during an interview. Try not to be too hard on yourself and keep as positive of an attitude as you can.

3. Being inflexible in your job search targets.

Creativity is essential in a job search, and often that entails being able to envision yourself in new roles. This might include targeting jobs in other cities where your industry is more active, looking for project work, or considering jobs that aren’t ideal but you think you would be good at.

4. Not following up with potential employers.

While you don’t want to be a pest, it’s often wise to follow up with employers who you don’t hear from after submitting a resume.

Whether communicating in writing or over the telephone, job seekers should demonstrate their knowledge of the company while reinforcing their qualifications and sincere interest in the position. This extra step can give professionals a significant advantage over less-proactive candidates

5. Having an unflattering digital footprint.

Think your friends are the only people who viewed those less-than-professional vacation photos you posted online? Think again. With a few mouse clicks, potential employers can dig up information about you on blogs, personal websites and networking site profiles. Make sure you do a thorough self-search and take any necessary corrective action.

6. Being caught without networking business cards and an updated resume.

Make it a point to never leave your office or home without business cards and an updated resume. It doesn’t matter whether you will be in a business or personal setting. You never know who you will meet and when you will need to give your business card and resume to someone.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — First: Create your own momentum, “The Big Mo” — you hear about it all the time in sports. Teams with momentum get on a roll, score-more often and win more games than teams without it. If your job search is stuck, you can create your own momentum and move toward the position you want by starting each day with a victory of some sort, no matter how small.

Second: Ask for help, listen — and act! Question: How many people have you asked this month for advice about your job search? If you’re absolutely honest in your answer, the number will be small. Too small. Why put all the pressure on yourself to find all the employment answers? Why not ask and discover what’s worked for other people? Stop trying to figure it all out on your own. Instead, start multiplying your brainpower by asking others for advice.

Third: Know that change is your friend. According to the US Bureau of Labor, voluntary employee turnover across America was 20.20% in 2004, the most recent year available. This means that on average about one in five employees quit their jobs every 12 months. What does that mean for you? In a company with 100 employees, approximately 20 of them will quit within the next year. So, don’t despair. Keep in regular touch with the companies you want to work for, because it’s only a matter of time until something opens up for you.