Posts Tagged ‘LinkedIn’

Social Networks Are The Newest Recruiting Tool

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

I just read an article in Forbes that said social networks are the newest recruiting tool.

Here are a couple of LinkedIn statistics from the article:
* used by 80% of companies recruiting through the social Web.
* 90% of companies that recruit through social networks have successfully found candidates on LinkedIn.

I talk with recruiters and hiring managers every week who tell me the same thing. They research candidates online and what they find impacts their decision to follow up. They do not hire those who have negative comments or pictures on their profile.

Just as interesting, they do not hire people without a social networking presence either. They assume the candidate who is not online is “behind the times”, “out of touch”, “just not current”. Who wants to hire someone like this?

I am so passionate about the topic, so I had to write this book, Social Networking Throughout Your Career: What’s All the Buzz About? I go way beyond the basics in the book. My goal was to answer some of the deeper, more specific questions I’m asked.

What would you say to someone who asked you “Why should I join LinkedIn?”

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LinkedIn Webinar for Columbia Alumni

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Webinar: LinkedIn for Job Search
July 28 Noon – 1:15 pm Central
led by April M. Williams, Speaker, Author, Coach

Workshop Fee for Columbia College Alumni: $15 (Discounted from $32)

Learn how LinkedIn has helped 70 million professionals around the world further connection, create opportunities and build careers. This webinar is specifically for who are new to using LinkedIn and/or interested in how LinkedIn can serve their job search. Get an overview of key features along with important effectiveness and etiquette/protocol tips.

This fast-paced webinar highlights:
- Tailoring your profile to be noticed in your job search
- Building online networking connections
- Initiating introduction requests
- Effectively using groups
- Leveraging Q&A
- And more!

Sessions will last about 75 minutes with time for participant questions. Please note: your registration confirmation will include logon information and dial-in number (long distance charges may apply).

REQUIREMENTS:
Basic computer knowledge and a computer with high-speed internet access and telephone.

Contact Information
Primary Contact
Cyn Vargas
312-369-8640
cvargas@colum.edu

Date: July 28, 2010
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM
Location: online

More information

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Are You LinkedIn Call

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

LinkedIn has become an important tool for business. Currently, LinkedIn has over 70 million members in more than 200 countries around the globe. Are you using LinkedIn to make the most of your business or are you missing out.

Learn more what LinkedIn is and how it can help your career at this webinar.

Price of admission? Just let us know your LinkedIn question. What do you want to know about LinkedIn? Enter your question in the form below and check your email for the date and time of the call.

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Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce Gets LinkedIn

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: April M. Williams

Cyberlife Tutors

847-207-7412

april@cyberlifetutors.com

Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce Gets LinkedIn

Social Networking Connects Business Community

ALGONQUIN, IL, July 1, 2010 – Networking means time, often taking us away from our business and family. Most business owners face the same problem. How can I be more effective in my networking to build my business?

Recognizing the need to connect with others to build business, twenty members of the Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce expanded their business networking skills with the “I’m on LinkedIn, What’s Next?” LinkedIn class. The session led by April M. Williams of CyberLife Tutors was co-sponsored by the Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce and Shah Center for Corporate Training.

“The enthusiasm of the class was contagious!” said Barbara Mikula, Branch Manager at Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corp. “We are so excited to be able to connect with other chamber members to promote growth in our businesses in a relaxed and fun environment!”

The “I’m on LinkedIn, What’s Next?” session provides business owners with the tools to create a LinkedIn presence that attracts clients. It focuses on updating your LinkedIn profile to make a positive first impression.

Monica Hamann, Branch Manager at McHenry Savings Bank in Richmond, had this to say about the session: “I liked it a lot, great marketing tool. The class was very informative and easy to follow.”

About CyberLife Tutors:

CyberLife Tutors, located in Algonquin, Illinois, specializes in integrating social networking with traditional marketing for McHenry County businesses. April’s book, Social Networking Throughout Your Career is available on Amazon.com.

More information on upcoming classes available at the following link: http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/blog/?p=606

EDITORS: If you would like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with April M. Williams, please contact April at 847-207-7412 or email April@cyberlifetutors.com.

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LinkedIn for Iphone

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Do you have an Iphone? If so, have you tried the new LinkedIn for Iphone application?

I downloaded this free application a while back and have tested it out several times. One thing I like about the application is it is easy to navigate to. Tap on the LinkedIn application icon from the Iphone screen and the application opens. No need to type a URL into the web browser.

The Iphone LinkedIn application gives me access to my LinkedIn inbox so I can respond to emails while I am away from my office.

One thing I do not like is that I can only search through some of my contacts, not all without downloading them to my phone.

There is a way to connect IRL (in real life) with other Iphone LinkedIn application users. If we meet IRL and you have the app, let’s test this out.

Let me know what you think of the LinkedIn Iphone application.

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LinkedIn Profile Photo

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Does your LinkedIn profile have a photo? People remember faces and your profile photo helps others recognize and remember you.

Did you ever attend a networking event then get an email from someone you met there several days later. When a photo accompanies the name, we are more likely to recall meeting the contact.

Here are best practices for choosing a LinkedIn profile photo:

  • Photo should be high enough resolution so as to not look grainy
  • Project a professional image
  • Close up image so you can be recognized
  • Image of you, not a group of people
  • Photo of a person not a logo or graphic
  • In good taste and not offensive according to generally accepted standards
  • Upload only images you have rights to use

LinkedIn may remove your photo if they consider your image inappropriate. Follow the best practices above and  you have no need to worry.

Include a photo in your LinkedIn profile and put your best face forward.

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First Impressions Matter

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

You know a positive first impression matters, especially in business and your career. Make sure you make a positive first impression with you LinkedIn profile.

The top section of your LinkedIn profile is highlighted in blue. This is your profile headline.

Let’s compare your profile to a newspaper article. When you scan the newspaper, you read the headlines to decide if an article content is worth reading. If the headline looks interesting, you go on to read the rest of the article.

In LinkedIn, readers use the same process to decide whether your profile is worth reading.

Take a few minutes to review your profile header to see if you entice other LinkedIn members to view your profile. Can they tell what your profile is about from reading your headline?

Are you making a positive first impression?

Leave a reply below and let us know what your LinkedIn profile header says and give us a link to your profile.

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LinkedIn Customized Profile URL

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Did you know you can customize your LinkedIn profile URL? Every LinkedIn member can create a easily recognizable link directly to their profile in LinkedIn.

When you create a profile in LinkedIn, the system automatically generates a link to your profile. By default, this is a meaningless string of numbers and / or letters. I recommend Linkedin members edit this field and creating a custom URL for their profile.

Create your own LinkedIn customized profile URL

My custom profile URL is http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams. Clicking on this link will take you directly to my profile page in LinkedIn.

Members can customizable the last part of their URL or the segment after “in”.

http://www.linkedIn/in/<CUSTOMIZE>

Each LinkedIn member profile is unique. If you have a common name, you may have to be creative in your selection. Consider these options:

  • <FirstName LastName>
  • <FirstName Middle Name LastName>
  • <FirstName Middle Initial LastName>
  • Tag line: i.e., WorldsBestLawyer

Add your newly customized LinkedIn profile URL to your email signature and include it in your resume.

Enter a comment below and let us know your customized LinkedIn profile URL.

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Attract More Clients

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Ready to attract more clients? Let the LAW OF ATTRACTION work for you.

Attract More Clients Using LinkedIn and the Law of Attraction
Buy now via PayPal, just $19.34 for instant access!

What is inside this book …

Let CyberLife Tutors show you how to get more from your online network

Buy now via PayPal, just $19.34 for instant access!


You heard about LinkedIn from professional associates and possibly even created your profile. Now it is time to use LinkedIn to attract clients to you.

A quick overview of LinkedIn: It is an online professional networking tool used around the globe. According to LinkedIn, you can network with 70 million members from over 200 countries, including executives from all Fortune 500 companies. Members are split evenly between the United States and other countries. Basic LinkedIn membership is free though premium memberships are available.

Logging on to LinkedIn and creating your professional profile is the first step to building your online presence. Your goal is to attract clients and engage in business transactions.

This 34 page guide will walk you through the best practices for creating a profile that attracts clients, and the best ways to use LinkedIn as a tool to build your business. In each section you can stop reading, update your profile and come back for more.

Buy today and receive special bonus material too!

Buy now via PayPal, just $19.34 for instant access!

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Starting an Alumni Group

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Most of us change jobs every 2-3 years. Have you wished you had a way to keep in touch with your former co-workers?

I started an online group during the recession in January 2002 to help find new jobs for recently laid off co-workers. The group currently has over 400 members and is still a resource for sharing job leads. Most of us are still in the Chicago area at other companies. We provide the group with unadvertised job leads, pre-interview company intelligence and internal contacts.

Thai Festival 2010 - 17
Creative Commons License photo credit: garryknight

Is now the time to set up a group for your former co-workers? It’s easy to do with online groups. They work as a broadcast system to distribute emails to those who have “opted in” to the group. Check out the free group tools at Linkedin, Yahoo groups or Google groups and start your own group today. Either site walks you through selecting the options to set up your group. From personal experience, I select “restrict membership” to maintain the groups focus. I also recommend requiring membership in the group before you can post messages. This reduces the chance of getting spam.

The amount of time required to maintain your group depends on the options you choose during set up, the number of new members and member activity level. The group owner can change these options to better suit the needs of the group and time available to administer membership. Additional moderators can be appointed to help with group maintenance.

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