Job Search: 3 Rules of
Building Linkedin
Relationships to Find a Job

I read this article/post on Linkedin.com by Brian French.
If you like it, then come connect with me @
http://www.linkedin.com/home and invite me
myoung@sctproducts.com.
Everyone knows one of the best ways to obtain a job is
by referral. As the cliche goes “It is not what you know,
but who you know.”
If you are a member then get involved in different
groups, invite past co-workers to connect, the list goes
on and on. There are infinite possibilities.
So below is the article, lots of great useable info:
Congratulations! Just by reading this you’ll be ahead of 99.9
percent of Linkedin professionals who have a hundred contacts,
aren’t using most of them and are misusing the rest.

Rule #1
Pan for Linkedin Gold. Discard the gravel.
All Linkedin connections should be realistic candidates for
business relationships. When you link up with one of the 30
million Linkedin users, the potential should exist for your
partnership to strike gold. In terms of business value to you, be
aware there are far more useless pebbles than valuable nuggets out
there. The key is to know where to look and what to look for. If you
are a recent college grad, target successful professionals with less
than five years experience. If you have a decade or more of success
in a profession, then try for the rainmakers.
Don’t waste time connecting to overseas users or wonder off into
areas unrelated to your business. By focusing your network, you’ll
have a clear, clean list of contacts. This is not a popularity contest
where guys and gals with the most connections win. Unproductive
connections will contaminate your network. Toss them back.

Rule #2
Make clear in your profile what you want from a referral
partner and WHAT YOU CAN GIVE THEM!
I’m sorry about shouting, but it’s that important. Paint a clear
picture of your ideal client.
Example: “My ideal client is a wealthy business owner or retiree
who has more than $1 million in net worth and who lives within 45
minutes of Chicago. This individual has only done a minimal amount
of estate planning and may or may not have a will.”
A demographic profile is even more useful when it includes a red
blinking light that tells you: Something has changed. Be alert for
these signals. Changes in life events can create problems for clients
and problem-solving opportunities for you and your referral partner.

Rule #3
Be a Go-Giver, not a Go-Getter!
Here’s the payoff for developing a productive Linkedin
network.
•You’ll never have to worry about:
•Your income
•Your boss
•Your net worth
•Losing or finding a great job
•Having interesting friends
•Having free time
•Leaving a legacy in your industry