Executives: Are You 'LinkedIn Lazy'?

I had an executive in transition complain to me recently he wasn’t seeing the value of LinkedIn for his job search. His comment went something like this:

"I just don’t see the point. I get on there, I find people I know, I ask them to connect, and then I tell them I’m looking for a new opportunity. Seems like a total waste of time to me. I’ve yet to see a single lead from it.”

Wow.

My answer to him was, “You’re not getting results because you’re LinkedIn Lazy.”

LinkedIn: Built for Performance – Not Automation

I’ve been on LinkedIn for years. I started using it back when it was viewed as time-killer for the unemployed. I remember raving about it to people who would say, “I can’t go on there, my boss will think I’m looking for a new job.” Fast forward to today and bosses are demanding employees get on LinkedIn as a way to help the company brand itself. LinkedIn is considered the number one business and career networking tool in the country. The problem is, like this executive, many people join thinking its purpose is to make their life easier by automating their networking efforts.

That couldn’t be more wrong.

There is an old saying in business, “Garbage in. Garbage out.” It simply means, you get out what you put in – LinkedIn is no exception. Think of it as a high-performance sports car. You aren't going to be able to take advantage of its powerful steering and handling if youd don't know what you are doing.

The Key is Strategy

Using LinkedIn requires a strategy. First, you must have a goal. What do you want to accomplish. Then, you need to identify the high-payoff activities and the best way to do them on LinkedIn.

For example, if your goal is to expand your network in your industry, then you must search for people and invite them to connect. People who are LinkedIn Lazy simply send the standard request to connect with no explanation as to why they want the person to accept, and then wonder why their request was ignored.

Savvy LinkedIn users know to A) personalize the request, B) follow up with a thank-you when it’s accepted, and C) schedule to send the person some information of value in the near future as a way to pay-it-forward in the networking process.

I could spend hours and write pages about the right way to use LinkedIn, but instead, I’ll just say this: If you aren’t getting value out of being on LinkedIn, you are using it the wrong way. It’s that simple.

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P.S. - First time reading my posts? Thanks for taking the time to stop by! Not only do I write for Linkedin, but I'm also founder of a popular career advice site,CAREEREALISM,and currently run the career coaching program,CareerHMO. I hope you'll check them both out!

If you want to read more of what I've written, check out my articles on Inc.com.

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CAREEREALISM’s Founder, J.T. O’Donnell is a nationally syndicated career expert and workplace consultant who helps American workers of all ages find greater professional satisfaction. Her book, CAREEREALISM: The Smart Approach to a Satisfying Career, outlines her highly successful career-coaching methodology. Purchase her e-book of CAREEREALISM for only $9.95 by clicking here !

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