LinkedIn has revolutionize the way businesses recruit their top talent. It’s the new online resume for candidates and a huge talent database for employers. Large companies such as Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T have invested millions of dollars to have LinkedIn licenses. LinkedIn is quickly making inroads into the largest companies in the US. As of Aug. 2009, 40% of Fortune 100 companies use LinkedIn corporate solutions to find top talent Recruiting Solutions.
Although some may argue that LinkedIn is not a good investment if you are a small company or if you are looking for a handful of candidates, Fortune 50 companies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T have recruited their top talent from LinkedIn. Using status updates helps improves the viability on LinkedIn and drive traffic to a company’s website. It allows employers to find passive and active job seekers by using job bulletins and sharing job post directly on LinkedIn. Some recruiters may have to personally reach out to the passive candidates but, by connecting with multiple groups within LinkedIn, a good recruiter can source a top candidate by viewing their profile and leaning more about them.
Taking Full Advantage of LinkedIn
Everyone has the option to create a free LinkedIn account. You can use LinkedIn for free and contact anyone in your network, but to get people outside your network, you need to pay. LinkedIn Premium, which runs from $19.95 a month to $74.95 a month, will give you greater visibility into the network (You can see full profiles for second- and third-degree connections, for instance), but you max out at 25 InMail messages How Small Businesses Can Use LinkedIn to Recruit. If you work for a small company who doesn’t wish to pay $7000-$80,000 for a LinkedIn license, this is the best way to utilize LinkedIn and get the most for your bucks.
Does it Really Work
LinkedIn isn’t a true contact database, it’s a social network. To really work it, you have to be aware that it’s a two-way communication venue. While you’re browsing other people’s profiles, they’re checking yours out as well. LinkedIn recommends keeping your profile up-to-date and linking to your blog and Twitter account. It is important to not only keep your LinkedIn profile up to date but to also ensure you resume matches your profile.
LinkedIn does work and it is changing the way employees search for new careers and employers search for the best talent. LinkedIn is a social media site and because of that, it is important to be social. Profile updates, joining groups, posting jobs, sharing post, and remaining professional are the main factors in making LinkedIn work for you. The key to LinkedIn is remembering that this social media website is for professionals and keep all personal information you would share on Facebook strictly for Facebook. Do not do anything that will jeopardize an employer from selecting to reach out to you for a position. LinkedIn is your new online digital resume.
Let's Get Social with Terrenie 
I agree that LinkedIn is a great site to search for new employees or learn more about what types of jobs are out there. They also have LinkedIn Students which is similar to the premium edition where you pay a fee to join. I am sure the students feature is beneficial for graduates looking for their first job.
I use my LinkedIn page daily and share content with postings that I feel are relevant to my communities. I actually belong to several marketing groups and I love to keep up with the latest and greatest new tools of the trade via my connections posts. The more connections you have the greater your opportunity to build a referral network for your sales channel. LinkedIn is a great tool for business people.
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Terrenie,
You are very knowledgeable about LI. While I have an account I am barely familiar with it. Thanks to your post I do see how important it is to keep your LinkedIn profile and resume up to date. Thank you for sharing this with us. I had no idea, a LI profile could cost a company so much money-up to $80,000?!?!?! That’s crazy!
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Terrence,
Great post! I’ve heard that LinkedIn is a great way to meet people of similar interests but I had no idea that it created potential for job seekers and employers. After reading this i regret not knowing about it sooner, after all of the traditional job searching i have done. I figured the market was so bad that you must actively search out employers and persuade them of your worth. Now that I realize they are actively seeking professionals, I will definitely be making a page to expand my future potential employment opportunities.
Thanks,
@OutdoorAddict11
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Terrenie,
Sorry about the “Terrence” address. Autocorrect strikes again.
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