Second, you invite all your friends and business a.s.sociates to join. Many sites have technology to facilitate inviting your entire Outlook database. When these people join, they are "1 degree" away from you. Their network of contacts then would be "2 degrees" away.

Your network will grow as quickly as you recruit members who recruit members. Your ability to e-Network your way to a new job grows exponentially as your network develops.

Link In and Connect

LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) is my favorite. A basic account is free and you can upgrade to premium accounts for less than one night out on the town.

LinkedIn works by first requiring that you set up your online profile and then invite your friends to join your network. After people join, they ask their friends and colleagues to join. For job hunters, this is a treasure trove of leads.

There are several ways to use the site to find people you're looking for quickly. This site recommends doing a search on the company you want to be referred to and see whom you find. You then send a note to the person who is directly linked to the person whom you want to connect to. With our PeopleSoft example it would look like Figure 8.2 Figure 8.2.

The Results Show 13,653 Contacts

You can experiment with the technology to get more or fewer results. In my case, 13,653 people (via my network) is far too many to start to network with. I want fewer people but at a higher level in the organization. By putting in the t.i.tle vice president, I narrow the number of contacts down. In our example, this amounts to 1,263. I can narrow this further by location if I want to, so I select to narrow it down by zip code 10001 in New York. The 68 hits is a manageable number for me.

Figure 8.2 Networking example. Networking example.

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The basic idea is to then request, via the technology, for someone to connect you to the person you want to network with. The technology is set up to facilitate the introductions electronically.

LinkedIn also lets people who have linked with you leave testimonials on how you were to work with. As a headhunter, I can view the testimonials, click to see if the testimonial writer is someone I should believe, and then decide if I want to contact the person. Not having testimonials doesn't mean someone is a dud, but having 10 or more that are consistently good will make me want to connect with that person.

From a headhunter's standpoint, LinkedIn has it all. From a job hunter's standpoint, LinkedIn represents an opportunity of a lifetime to establish a powerful network of influential colleagues and friends.

Here's a dirty little secret: recruiters can and will use your LinkedIn profile as a screening tool. In fact, recruiters use LinkedIn every day to find candidates for positions. A recruiter may be looking at your profile even as you read this. This is not how LinkedIn was intended to function when it was built, by the way, but this is how the site has developed. Many consider it your first interview. They'll read your profile and a.s.sess your previous employers and your accomplishments. They'll look to see if the resume you sent is consistent. If you said you accomplished "x" at your last employer, it would be in your best interest to have a quote saying so from your previous boss as part of your profile.

LinkedIn gives you all the tools you need to create and maintain your online ident.i.ty. It is not a toy. Unlike many other social networking sites, LinkedIn is for serious career-minded professionals. Like ZoomInfo.com, LinkedIn is currently used by 252,285 third-party recruiters. Often it's the first site they visit in the morning-even before opening their e-mails. It's that powerful. There are several great books on LinkedIn, so what I'm about to tell you will help you get up on LinkedIn quickly and "supersize" your exposure quickly.

Super-Sizing Your Online Career Portfolio-FREE with LinkedIn

Guerrillas are not slaves to technology. They leverage it for their advantage. Here's what you should do right after you have created your LinkedIn profile: 1. Send a request to link to me. Send a request to link to me. You'll get access to my second-level network of more than 700,000. They will become your third-level contacts instantly ( You'll get access to my second-level network of more than 700,000. They will become your third-level contacts instantly (www.linkedin.com/in/davidperry/).2. Get a personalized e-mail signature (like mine just above). Get a personalized e-mail signature (like mine just above). It's free and you'll have it for life, so no matter where you are 5 years from now your clients, friends, and favorite headhunters will be able to find you. Follow the instructions. It's free and you'll have it for life, so no matter where you are 5 years from now your clients, friends, and favorite headhunters will be able to find you. Follow the instructions.3. Download and install all of LinkedIn's productivity tools. Download and install all of LinkedIn's productivity tools. LinkedIn has made it so easy to search, build your network, and manage your contacts, all from the applications you use everyday like Outlook, Internet Explorer, and Firefox. LinkedIn has made it so easy to search, build your network, and manage your contacts, all from the applications you use everyday like Outlook, Internet Explorer, and Firefox.4. Download the Jobs Insider applet. Download the Jobs Insider applet. This applet displays the personal connections you already have in your LinkedIn account that are tied to the hiring managers and companies for any job listed online at Monster, CareerBuilder, HotJobs, Craigslist, Dice, Vault, and many more. It's a Trojan Horse (the good kind, i.e., clever Odysseus's wooden horse in the battle for Troy). This applet displays the personal connections you already have in your LinkedIn account that are tied to the hiring managers and companies for any job listed online at Monster, CareerBuilder, HotJobs, Craigslist, Dice, Vault, and many more. It's a Trojan Horse (the good kind, i.e., clever Odysseus's wooden horse in the battle for Troy).5. If you have a blog, web site, Facebook, or Mys.p.a.ce account that will add value to your job search, then link to it through the "web sites" section of your profile. If you have a blog, web site, Facebook, or Mys.p.a.ce account that will add value to your job search, then link to it through the "web sites" section of your profile. Go to the widgets section and download-at a minimum-the Company Insider and Share On LinkedIn applications. Go to the widgets section and download-at a minimum-the Company Insider and Share On LinkedIn applications.6. Go to Go to www.toplinked.com and follow the instructions to Link to the largest "connectors" in LinkedIn. and follow the instructions to Link to the largest "connectors" in LinkedIn. These people, known as LinkedIn LIONS are "open networkers" who will accept your invitation to connect with them without question. This will instantly grow your contact base overnight. You can always uninvite people later These people, known as LinkedIn LIONS are "open networkers" who will accept your invitation to connect with them without question. This will instantly grow your contact base overnight. You can always uninvite people later . . . . . . but why you would want to is beyond me. but why you would want to is beyond me.7. Become a groupie. Become a groupie. Go to the Companies Tab at the top of your page. Select company search. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select "Browse All Industries." Now select the industry(s) you want to search for a job in. Choose a company you want to work for. Find anyone in sales or marketing or the company's recruiter and look at their profile. Got it open? Now scroll down the page until you find the "Groups and a.s.sociations" section. Now, look at the groups this person belongs to. Remember the expression, "birds of a feather flock together"? It's important in networking. If appropriate, join the group. At last count there were more than 2,600 different groups. Make sure you join the Guerrilla Job Search group ( Go to the Companies Tab at the top of your page. Select company search. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select "Browse All Industries." Now select the industry(s) you want to search for a job in. Choose a company you want to work for. Find anyone in sales or marketing or the company's recruiter and look at their profile. Got it open? Now scroll down the page until you find the "Groups and a.s.sociations" section. Now, look at the groups this person belongs to. Remember the expression, "birds of a feather flock together"? It's important in networking. If appropriate, join the group. At last count there were more than 2,600 different groups. Make sure you join the Guerrilla Job Search group (www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/1189487/). Or, go to the "Groups" link on your home page right now and join.8. Show and tell. Show and tell. Just like when we asked you to prove your claims with your Guerrilla Resume (reread Chapter 5 if need be), you'll want to show people that you're the real deal. To do this, you need to ask your colleagues, customers, and so on for recommendations. LinkedIn steps you through this on the site. Get the ones that back up your accomplishments first. Just like when we asked you to prove your claims with your Guerrilla Resume (reread Chapter 5 if need be), you'll want to show people that you're the real deal. To do this, you need to ask your colleagues, customers, and so on for recommendations. LinkedIn steps you through this on the site. Get the ones that back up your accomplishments first.9. From the "Applications" link on your home page choose which of the applications you'd like to install. From the "Applications" link on your home page choose which of the applications you'd like to install. Are you a sales or marketing person? How about uploading a PowerPoint that you use to sell your company's product/service (you may need permission from your employer). Are you an accountant who can make a spreadsheet sing and dance? Upload an example. Remember, everyone says they're smart, creative, driven, and so on. With LinkedIn, you can also prove it. Are you a sales or marketing person? How about uploading a PowerPoint that you use to sell your company's product/service (you may need permission from your employer). Are you an accountant who can make a spreadsheet sing and dance? Upload an example. Remember, everyone says they're smart, creative, driven, and so on. With LinkedIn, you can also prove it.10. Install the "Polls" function. Install the "Polls" function. When you have 150 or more of your own first-level contacts, create a poll related to your job search. Send it to them. It's faster than a networking letter or the phone. When you have 150 or more of your own first-level contacts, create a poll related to your job search. Send it to them. It's faster than a networking letter or the phone.11. Connect to your other social networking sites. Connect to your other social networking sites. Just as you can connect your blog or web site and so on to LinkedIn, you should link your Facebook and other social networking accounts to your LinkedIn profile. Many sites automate the process for you. For example, my Guerrilla Job Search blog hosted on Type Pad automatically updates my Facebook and LinkedIn account. This way I only need to enter my data once-in this case on my blog-and it appears in LinkedIn and Facebook auto-magically. Just as you can connect your blog or web site and so on to LinkedIn, you should link your Facebook and other social networking accounts to your LinkedIn profile. Many sites automate the process for you. For example, my Guerrilla Job Search blog hosted on Type Pad automatically updates my Facebook and LinkedIn account. This way I only need to enter my data once-in this case on my blog-and it appears in LinkedIn and Facebook auto-magically.

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GUERRILLA MISSION.

Stop reading! What you have just learned is so powerful that, before you do anything else, I want you to establish your LinkedIn profile and invite your network of friends and colleagues to join you-right now! I'm serious. Joining LinkedIn is free and not something you want to "get around to." It's very likely that your next job won't be your last. You must do it now. Read the online tutorials and learn how to maximize your network.

GUERRILLA INTELLIGENCE.

Be Found Jason Alba

If recruiters, hiring managers, human resource managers, owners of companies, executives, and other professionals are searching for you, don't you think you should be findable? There are plenty of opportunities for you to optimize your LinkedIn account and proactively find contacts and information to help you in your job search and career management. Let's explore what you can do.

To be found on LinkedIn, make sure your profile has the right stuff in it. Make sure when people come across your profile they find it to be credible. Make sure you look like you are a part of the social environment there and not just poking around. None of these take much time, but they all help you become more approachable by those who really need your services.

If you are a project manager, what terms might someone search for? Project Manager, of course. How about PMP or PMI? What about any other a.s.sociations, professional designations, or even conferences? Make sure you put all of this in your profile-ensuring you put acronyms as well as the entire spelled-out name.

In addition to putting these special key words and phrases in, write your profile so people can read it easily. Put in compelling information about you as a professional. A LinkedIn profile is not a resume, so it doesn't have to read as stiff as a resume might read, but it should show you in a professional light.

There are things I look for on your profile that tell me whether you are just playing around, or that you see value in this awesome tool. Is your picture there? Did you claim a "vanity URL"? These are very easy and quick to do, and makes it look more "on purpose." Additionally, I'll look to see how many contacts you have (three is not enough), how many recommendations you have, and what relationships the recommenders have with you, and whether you partic.i.p.ate in Answers. None of these are deal-breakers, but I'm going to know you take networking and professional development seriously.

When we talk about finding on LinkedIn, think about finding 2 different things: network contacts and information. The most basic search you should do is with the search box at the top of every page. If you want to get into Acme Widget, Inc., do a search for "Acme Widget." You may find current or past employees, as well as possibly partners, vendors, or customers (depending on what people have put in their profiles). Any of these professionals could be network contacts for you, to help you learn more about the company and issues.

LinkedIn's original value proposition is that you can tap into your contacts' connections. Think about it-the value you get from using LinkedIn is not that you can track your professional connections, rather, that you can find out who they know. You should ask, "Who do you know." LinkedIn automates that step of the process for you.

Jason Alba is CEO of JibberJobber.com and author of "I'm on LinkedIn-Now What???" and "I'm on Facebook-Now What???" Reach Jason at and author of "I'm on LinkedIn-Now What???" and "I'm on Facebook-Now What???" Reach Jason at www.linkedin.com/in/jasonalba/.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE POWER OF NETWORKING

Mark J. Haluska is the executive director of Real Time Network, www.rtnetwork.net, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He and I first met online at RECNET, an international online forum for recruiters and headhunters.

Mark and I have worked as colleagues for 9 years now. I think we initially clicked because of our similar military backgrounds and because Mark has an offbeat sardonic sense of humor not unlike my own. He has a real ability to cut to the chase. In fact, we first got to know each other by trading barbs on recruiting for the first 2 years over the Internet.

Mark was one of the first headhunters to read my initial book, Career Guide for the High-Tech Professional: Where the Jobs Are Now and How to Land Them Career Guide for the High-Tech Professional: Where the Jobs Are Now and How to Land Them (Franklin Lakes, NJ: Career Press, 2004), and he was pretty blunt. He liked the book all right, but he thought it had wider appeal than just the technology industry. When I was approached to write this book, I asked Mark if he would mind proofing some of the chapters. I wanted another industry insider to review the material to ensure my strategies and tactics were state-of-the-moment, accurate, and coming across correctly. (Franklin Lakes, NJ: Career Press, 2004), and he was pretty blunt. He liked the book all right, but he thought it had wider appeal than just the technology industry. When I was approached to write this book, I asked Mark if he would mind proofing some of the chapters. I wanted another industry insider to review the material to ensure my strategies and tactics were state-of-the-moment, accurate, and coming across correctly.

Well, let me tell you, face-to-face we've become great friends, and the working relationship has been outstanding. Not only has Mark read every word in the book, he has challenged my a.s.sumptions and encouraged me every step of the way. You would think our desks were right next to each other. We are colleagues in every sense of the word. We talk on a regular basis and e-mail each other daily about more than just the book and headhunting. That is the real power of networking.

Kevin Donlin, my partner in the Guerrilla Job Search Boot Camp project, found me online after reading my book and a few of my articles. He just called me up for a chat. I talked to him, as I had talked to so many other people who had read the first edition of Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters and wanted to "partner" with me, and I casually said, "The next time you're in town call." Given the chance to follow through on a big idea, most people will do nothing. Not Kevin. That was the only opening he needed. He called me back a few days later to tell me he was going to be traveling through Montreal on his way back to Minneapolis and he was "wondering if that was very far from my house?" I got in my car and drove. and wanted to "partner" with me, and I casually said, "The next time you're in town call." Given the chance to follow through on a big idea, most people will do nothing. Not Kevin. That was the only opening he needed. He called me back a few days later to tell me he was going to be traveling through Montreal on his way back to Minneapolis and he was "wondering if that was very far from my house?" I got in my car and drove.

We met, talked about our similar vision for job hunters, and started working together, first on our e-book Guerrilla Resumes Guerrilla Resumes and then speaking presentations, and now on the rollout of our Boot Camp. One of the reasons the relationship has worked out so well, despite his obvious talent, is that Kevin delivers on his promises-always. Nothing is more important in business than doing what you promise. When you're making a new acquaintance networking, it's 10 times more important because the other person will scrutinize the relationship looking for inconsistencies and a reason to break it off. The secret is to pay it forward. and then speaking presentations, and now on the rollout of our Boot Camp. One of the reasons the relationship has worked out so well, despite his obvious talent, is that Kevin delivers on his promises-always. Nothing is more important in business than doing what you promise. When you're making a new acquaintance networking, it's 10 times more important because the other person will scrutinize the relationship looking for inconsistencies and a reason to break it off. The secret is to pay it forward.

Personal networking aside, the monetary value of these relationships can easily run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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A WAR STORY.

Stephen Forsyth

Linkedin.com is one of the most useful networking sites for job seekers. In fact, it was the vehicle that gained me my position at CML Emergency Services. After submitting my CV to David Perry, I decided to research the company. I decided to utilize the "search by company" function on the "people" tab on is one of the most useful networking sites for job seekers. In fact, it was the vehicle that gained me my position at CML Emergency Services. After submitting my CV to David Perry, I decided to research the company. I decided to utilize the "search by company" function on the "people" tab on Linkedin.com. In the results, I recognized Allan Zander's name, since we had attended engineering at University of Western Ontario together. Ironically enough, he was the hiring manager at CML and had also worked in the same group with me at Nortel. I sent a connection request to him through LinkedIn and a few days later I was being interviewed by him and subsequently hired. It was quite apparent that without LinkedIn, I would not have made the connection with Allan and may not have been selected for an interview. Since then, I have used LinkedIn to power my business network.

Stephen Forsyth's connection request to Allan Zander through Linkedin.com: Allan, I recognize your name and it appears that we have crossed paths in Nortel and at Western Engineering, so I'm sure that we must have some common contacts and interests.

I am currently searching for opportunities in product management in the Ottawa area and came across your name through LinkedIn.

I am a senior manager with expertise in product management, strategic planning, relationship management, product development and change management within the telecommunications industry. I also recently completed the executive MBA program at the University of Ottawa, and I have eight years experience at Nortel, including a 2-year expat. a.s.signment in Germany.

I noticed that you are looking for some PLMs at CML Emergency Services and I would appreciate it if we could connect to discuss opportunities.

Please contact me at your convenience.