Reply to: LinkedIn

[jmo21]

Nothing concrete for me yet, but had a number of recruiters enquiring on my availability.

It's just been timing that hasn't matched as yet.

[NervousRexx]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Much appreciated.

[NervousRexx]

I bet you could get pretty close if you sat and thought about it. Connect with who you remember, then look at their contacts for a memory jog for all the other people in the office at the time. It adds up very quickly.

This LinkedIn thing has got me thinking all week. Looked through the CV and 9/13 contracts were extended so haven't burnt many bridges and started compiling a list of all the people I've worked with. Judging by the responses on the thread, seems to be an opportunity not to be wasted and need to open up new avenues for contract opportunities. A good project for the winter months.

Thanks for the wake-up call.

[v8gaz]

Thanks for the advice. I can't drum up 250 contacts

I bet you could get pretty close if you sat and thought about it. Connect with who you remember, then look at their contacts for a memory jog for all the other people in the office at the time. It adds up very quickly.

[Fred Bloggs]

Just got offered a role in Surrey through LinkedIn, a first time for me. I'm not taking it, but it shows it can work for you.

[norrahe]

Got my current gig via linkedin. As well as building up contacts you do need to join groups and get yourself noticed in them.

Find articles about your chosen speciality, post them in your status and also to the groups you have joined. People then begin to perceive you as someone who has an interest and knows their stuff.

I've been recommended for gigs by contacts and then the person interviewing me has then referenced articles I've posted and offered me the role.

LinkedIn does work, but you have to work at it too.

[MarillionFan]

I recommend it

[NervousRexx]

If you can't drum up 250 contacts, then you are a foot soldier and need to continue to use the mass recruitment tools such as Jobserve. Once you get a network big enough to sustain your business, then you can claim to be a true contarctor.

Thanks for the advice. I can't drum up 250 contacts but I take on board was you're saying re: networking and LinkedIn seems to provide an ideal platform for this.

[v8gaz]

I have had several gigs via Linkedin. the secret is not to wait for people to approach you, or to believe that agents will trawl through loads of profiles to find the right person - it isn't going to happen when Jobserve sends them thousands of CVs for no effort.

The secret of Linkedin is to use it as a contact management system for your known and trusted contacts. Not agencies (unless you have a good poersonal relationship with the agent), not your mum's friend with the ice cream shop, but genuine business contacts.

Build up your contacts - having a critical mass of contacts is the only way it works. People with 5 contacts who claim it doesn't work, here's a clue, it's not for you. It's for people with a few years of experience who have a decent number of contacts who know who you are and who would work with you again. It's your network that does the work, not linkedin.

When you are nearing the end of your contract, change your status to 'available in 4 weeks'. Follow that up the next week by changing to 'available in 3 weeks'. Your contacts all get an update email from Linkedin, and during that 4 week period they will get 4 reminders that you are about to be available. Chances are, someone on that list will be looking, or know someone who's looking.

I have had my last few gigs this way, and in fact I was recently asked to send my CV to someone, when I looked it hadn't ben updated since 2007, the last time I did a jobserve trawl.

I reckon critical mass is around 250 contacts. The more you have, the easier it is, but only if they are genuine good contacts who would be in a position to recommend you for a gig. If you can't drum up 250 contacts, then you are a foot soldier and need to continue to use the mass recruitment tools such as Jobserve. Once you get a network big enough to sustain your business, then you can claim to be a true contarctor.

[SneakySimon]

LinkedIn

I’ve had my account for a few years and have found that when I started it was mainly work colleagues whereas now, it is much more recruiters now.

Of my 250+ connections, I would say 70% are recruiters.

I am relatively niche in my system skill-set so tend to only get calls about that and majority have been serious and productive. I am also a PM and don’t get many calls about that – I assume that there are 100’s of PM’s on LinkedIn.

I took the premium package for a couple of months which was useful – you get extra info on searches etc so I was able to really refine my profile to maximise views. I have now taken it off and just keep an eye on the summary numbers.

Think when I am serious in looking in the future, I will upgrade and polish my LinkedIn profile a bit more. Defiantly prefer using Jobserve but it is a useful other tool.

[NervousRexx]

i've secured work through linkedin (client searched and engaged me direct). i am finding it to be increasingly valuable as a resource and i expect much more work to channel through it. it has definitely been a useful way to remain in contact with previous clients - they can see what i've been up to and vice versa.

jobserve is the only job-board that i check now for the same reasons given.

Very helpful post.
Thank you.

[NervousRexx]

Thanks for the advise. I’ll give it a go as nothing to lose and the main benefit appears to be the ability to connect with old colleagues who could possibly have knowledge of future work through the grapevine (I don’t have a network) and I’ll be wary of the agencies trying to pull a fast one (no surprises there...).

I've secured jobs through Linked In. Also got offered roles in Zurich, Doha, etc etc through linked in,

However, I could be heading abroad and avoiding winter in the north west of England if this LinkedIn venture is as successful as Jeebo’s.

[DS23]

i've secured work through linkedin (client searched and engaged me direct). i am finding it to be increasingly valuable as a resource and i expect much more work to channel through it. it has definitely been a useful way to remain in contact with previous clients - they can see what i've been up to and vice versa.

jobserve is the only job-board that i check now for the same reasons given.

[Tufty]

LinkedIn

I registered with LinkedIn and have just got very basic details there about my past roles (job title, dates etc.) but have connected with everyone that I could see that I've worked with in the past. I've just moved from permanent to contract and LinkedIn proved pretty useful, as someone that I'd previously worked with was now working for the new client and I contacted them via LinkedIn and they put in a good word for me.

Definitely worth having at least a minimal profile and connecting with everyone you've worked with ... you never know when it will come in useful.

[TheFaQQer]

What I find it particularly good for is having a list of connections that you are friendly with, then when a role comes up, see who works there and pop them a "Long time, no speak" email. Sometimes they can pull strings, sometimes not...

Done that one before