| If you haven't joined LinkedIn by now, you should. | | | | those companies and keep up with who's moving up, |
| There are over 65 million professionals involved in | | | | who's moving on, what the trends are, and what the |
| LinkedIn, making it the most significant online business | | | | competition is doing. The groups you're involved in will |
| network around. Don't make the mistake of thinking of | | | | have discussions on topics that are relevant and |
| it in the same terms as Facebook or Twitter (although | | | | necessary for your success. |
| they have their place). And don't make the mistake of | | | | * Job Search - I can't say enough about how LinkedIn |
| thinking it's only for job searchers (but it's fantastic for | | | | can jump-start your job search. If you've taken the |
| that). LinkedIn is a rock-solid, uniquely valuable, free tool | | | | time to build a network while you're still employed, |
| for your medical sales, laboratory sales, pharmaceutical | | | | you're already ahead of the game. Over 80% of |
| sales, or medical device sales career. | | | | employers and recruiters search for candidates on |
| How can LinkedIn benefit you? | | | | LinkedIn. The more connections you have, the much |
| * Networking - You know how important a good | | | | more likely it will be that you're contacted by one of |
| network is. A well-maintained business and social | | | | them. (How nice would that be, to be contacted by |
| network will serve you well throughout your life, and I | | | | someone interested in offering you a job?) By keeping |
| would never discount the power of old-school | | | | an up-to-date profile, you're putting your best foot |
| person-to-person connections. But LinkedIn | | | | forward, and setting yourself up for success. |
| exponentially increases your networking opportunities | | | | For an active job search, you can use LinkedIn to |
| by providing an avenue for making connections in a | | | | contact hiring managers directly, bypassing HR |
| much bigger arena than you'd ever be able to create | | | | departments and online applications. It's a very |
| on your own. Because those connections are built on | | | | effective method for setting yourself apart from other |
| introductions and recommendations, they are regarded | | | | candidates, and creates a much better chance at |
| as legitimate, credible business contacts. And, because | | | | landing the interview. |
| people tend to keep their information up-to-date, you | | | | * Interview Preparation - If you've landed the interview, |
| don't lose track of them. | | | | LinkedIn is an absolute gold mine of information to help |
| Another way to use LinkedIn effectively to make | | | | you nail it. Your ability to research the company will be |
| connections is by joining groups. Find groups that are | | | | a valuable resource for creating your 30/60/90-day |
| relevant to your career, and join the discussions. If | | | | plan (a written outline for what steps you'll take to get |
| you're making quality contributions to group discussions, | | | | up to speed and become a contributing member of |
| it will make others more interested in knowing you and | | | | the team--VERY impressive). Checking out the |
| creating a connection. | | | | LinkedIn profiles of people you'll be interviewing with will |
| * Career Development - Even if you're not job hunting | | | | give you a better idea of who they are and what their |
| now, LinkedIn is a convenient, efficient way to keep up | | | | focus will likely be, and will maybe even show you |
| with what's going on in your industry. LinkedIn has a | | | | something you have in common that will assist you in |
| feature for following companies, who keep corporate | | | | creating rapport. |
| profiles. You can also research executives within | | | | |