• Build a network of contacts, your contacts’ contacts and your contacts’ contacts’ contacts. This builds over time.
• Research company pages and read articles about employers for which you’re interested in working.
• Join discussion “Groups” on LinkedIn to network, learn and keep abreast in your field.

Tips for using LinkedIn

1. Personalize your invitations to connect. This lets your connection know who you are and why you are interested in connecting.

2. Increase your visibility. Have a complete and up-to-date profile to increase your search results. Be sure your public profile is set to “Full View” to allow connections and non-connections to see your page.

3. Keep it professional. LinkedIn is a professional site, different from other social media sites. Avoid posts about personal topics.

4. Increase your “Connections” and improve your network. Today, it’s about who you know.

5. Enhance your search engine results. The “Contact Info” in your profile allows you to edit a website field. Select “Other” here to link your personal blog or other professionally appropriate information. Include your name or descriptive terms in the link to achieve instant search-engine optimization for your site.

6. Increase the relevancy of your job search. LinkedIn’s reference check tool allows you to input a company name to get more balanced and in-depth information about the company.

7. Make your interview go smoother. Use LinkedIn to find people who you’re meeting. Knowing a little about that person may help with awkward silence in the interview.

8. Ask for advice. If you join a “Group,” you can post questions and comments for the members to respond.

Networking is one of the most important and powerful job search tools. In addition to face-to-face networking opportunities, social media can be used to extend that network. By including former colleagues, clients and customers, as well as others you interact with professionally and personally, social media grows your network. Sites like LinkedIn build upon this by adding information and search tools that can be used in your search.