LinkedIn Launchpad: Ignite Your Job Search with Connections

If you have submitted your resume to a job post and moved on to the next, you have missed a step. In today's competitive job market, simply submitting a resume online isn't enough. Sure, you have to answer the post, but there is a way to push your candidacy from the inside by using LinkedIn's "People" feature to connect with current employees at your target company. The goal? Get them to champion your candidacy.

Why This Strategy Works

• Referral Power: When a connection recommends a candidate to you, don’t you take that more seriously than a cold resume in response to a post? I think it’s safe to say most, if not all business people, value a referral.
• Insider Knowledge: Employees of your target company have firsthand knowledge of the culture, accomplishments, challenges, technology and team dynamics that would otherwise be difficult to find.
• Personal Connection: A personal connection facilitates bypassing AI and any other type of automated screening systems and gets your resume directly into the hands of the hiring manager.

Once you Have Applied for the Job

1.??? Identify Target Employees:

• Search for the company you are applying to on LinkedIn and choose “People” from the pulldown menu. This gives you everyone with a LinkedIn profile that has ever worked at that company including current employees.
• Filter your search by department or job title to narrow down your results. This can help you find relevant people to connect with and ultimately send your resume to.

2.??? Craft Personalized Connection Requests:

• Write personalized messages that demonstrate your genuine interest in the company. But keep them short.
• Mention something specific that caught your attention, such as a recent project, a blog post, or a shared connection to maximize interest in connecting.
• Briefly explain your interest in the company and the role you're applying for--- but never ask for a job!

3.??? Engage and Build Relationships:

• Once your connection request is accepted, start liking, commenting, and sharing their posts.
• Send a thank you note and ask if they'd be open to a brief informational interview.
• During the informational interview, ask thoughtful questions about the company culture, the team, and the role you're interested in.

4.??? Subtly Express Your Interest:

• Towards the end of the informational interview, subtly express your interest in the role and If they seem receptive, ask if they'd be willing to pass your resume along to the hiring manager.

5.??? Provide a Polished Resume:

• If the employee agrees to pass along your resume, ensure it's tailored to the specific role and company.
• Provide a concise and compelling cover email that reiterates the benefits of hiring you.

6.??? Follow Up and Express Gratitude:

• After the employee passes along your resume, send a thank-you note expressing your appreciation for their help.
• Follow up with the hiring manager after a reasonable period, referencing the employee who referred you.

Important Considerations:

• Respect Boundaries: Be mindful of employees' time and avoid being overly persistent.
• Focus on Building Genuine Relationships: Don't treat LinkedIn as a transactional platform.

By strategically using LinkedIn's "People" feature, you can turn online connections into valuable career opportunities. Remember, networking is about building relationships, not just collecting contacts.

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