Finding a job opportunity using LinkedIn

I haven't posted to this blog in awhile and a lot has changed for me since I was really keeping up with it. I hope to occasionally post advice on finances and keep you updated on how things are going for me in my professional life.

I was giving some advice to a friend about finding a job recently and I thought, "This would make a good post on Cashtalk!" This friend was recently laid off from a job that he has held for more than 6 years. He's a bit rusty, but quickly put together his resume and began the job hunt that so many Americans are dealing with right now.

My first suggestion for him (and you) is to update your LinkedIn profile. Make sure that instead of just listing tasks that you routinely complete, that you stress the major accomplishments at your positions. What was it that you did (alone or in a team) that really contributed to the success of the company? Stress results and use examples.

Now to really get the most out of that site, you should try to connect to as many people as you know and who can vouch for you. Don't just connect to anybody, but you may not have been keeping up with people and now is a good time to update your connections. You should be able to find more to get linked to easily. LinkedIn can actually help you with that. Search for people you know from college and maybe from the companies that you have worked for. Also anyone that you may have worked with in the past, that could recommend you. Think of vendors or customers that really were excited about using your services.

Once you build your virtual network, the next step is to reach out to people (using your network) who work at the places that you're applying. Send them an email and ask them what it's like to work there. Mention that you're applying for a position and you just want to get an insider's perspective on the culture and any insights they might have on working there. If they respond favorably, go ahead and ask them to recommend anyone else at the same company or department you might be able to talk to as well. This could lead to some good connections and people will begin to recognize you when they see your resume. It also shows that you really care about the company and are taking the time to learn about it.

Good luck!