LinkedIn released a new method to capture your network contacts, which helps you dig deeper for research and analysis. A few years ago, LinkedIn bought a company named Connected which gave them the capabilities to try something different to organize your contacts.
Try It, You Might Like It
I suggest you try it, whether you love or hate your job, or are targeting a new position. LinkedIn remains the number one tool for job seekers and recruiters to find jobs and candidates. The more you know how to use the tool, the more likely you can improve your career, whether you need it now or later.
By looking at your contacts creatively, ideas may pop to aid your job search. If you only have 100 contacts, the tool won’t be as valuable as someone with 500+. You must load Linkedin with quality business associates, as the more contacts, the more ways you can use the tool, dubbed “LinkedIn Contacts.” (Duh! I wonder how much discussion that took?!?).
Granted, my LinkedIn contacts number 2300+, but I’m a career coach and former technical recruiter. Additionally, LinkedIn Contacts, loads your email contacts, now showing about 3000 contacts for me. I suggest you work towards 300 quality contacts in LinkedIn. Over 500 is not excessive. Recruiters often connect with far more than my measly number.
Examples, using the tool
I sent 26 emails in the past 24 hours, either through LinkedIn or my own email After careful scrutiny, I realized that more were social than work related, as 16 went to friends. Hmmm! The tool deftly demonstrates my priorities today! Am I using my time wisely?
You may want to know how many contacts you have in Atlanta. Or you might want to check to see when you last contacted your former manager. Maybe she’s moved to a new company and you’d love to work for her again. You failed to see she’d changed jobs in your notifications. The information remains the same, but seeing the contacts differently generates ideas for contacting people, which may not have occurred to you.
Companies Where You May Have Contacts
My contacts work at 1939 different companies (out of 3000 contacts). Most companies, where multiple contacts work, are technical, such as Texas Instruments, Cisco and Intel, not a surprise with my background. But, I was amazed that I only have six contacts at Triquint with the same number at Apple. I would have imagined I had more in these two companies. I am pleased to see I connect with an equal number at small, growing companies, which serves me well for referrals in my consulting business.
You can search by company, location, and other ways. The tool allows you to think creatively about how you may use this information. Take time to read about the tool on Mashable and experiment with it. Just don’t become addicted to the fun you have with it!