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Using LinkedIn to network remotely – Blacks Connect

by: Emma Coffey, business development manager, Blacks Connect
  • 17/03/2016
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Using LinkedIn to network remotely – Blacks Connect
Firms could be missing a trick by not using the options available through LinkedIn to their full potential, writes Emma Coffey, business development manager at Blacks Connect.

Do you remember applying for your first job? Making copies of your CV and posting them off to prospective employers? Back in the day if you didn’t make a point of sending someone your résumé they had no way of knowing who you were. Head hunting was done by word of mouth alone and your only opportunity to brag about your achievements came at networking events where you walked a fine line between advertising your skills and sounding full of it. Then of course social media came along and we all got the chance to sell ourselves to the world, so to speak.

LinkedIn is fast becoming the Facebook of the business world. While the latter allows us to present the most picture perfect image of our personal lives (#nofilter #notentirelyhonest) LinkedIn allows us to present ourselves to the business world.

But while in its most simple form LinkedIn lets us outline our achievements and share our skills and experience with potential employers, it actually offers much more than that and I think a lot of people in this industry, particularly smaller firms, are not using it to its full potential.

If you’re just using LinkedIn as a virtual CV you’re missing a trick (and if you’re one of those people who uses it anonymously then you’re really missing the point).

Let’s not forget this is essentially a social networking site so if you’re not using it to network, why not? LinkedIn gives us a fantastic opportunity to network remotely, so if you can’t make it to the capital for countless drinks receptions or your inbox isn’t overflowing with invites to such events you can still join in the conversation.

Join LinkedIn groups that interest you. Post articles that you find insightful and share your opinion on them. Connect with other people who you share a common interest with.

Don’t just have a company page, have an individual profile too, and use it to make your opinions known and cement yourself as an active player in this industry. You never know where it could lead.

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