What is the main message of Linked?

The main message of Linked is to navigate and leverage the power of professional networking.

How long does it take to read Linked?

The estimated reading time for Linked is a few hours, while the Blinkist summary can be read in under 15 minutes.

Who is the author of Linked?

Omar Garriott & Jeremy Schifeling are the authors of Linked.

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Linked Book Summary - Linked Book explained in key points

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Linked summary

Name: Linked
Rating: 4.5 (10 reviews)
Author: Omar Garriott & Jeremy Schifeling

Omar Garriott Jeremy Schifeling

Conquer LinkedIn. Get Your Dream Job. Own Your Future.

4.5 (10 ratings)

17 mins

Brief summary

Linked by Omar Garriott & Jeremy Schifeling demonstrates how to maximize LinkedIn's potential for career growth. It offers practical advice on networking, personal branding, and utilizing the platform’s features to advance professional goals.

Topics

Success Marketing Career Progress Networking Job Hunt Sales

Table of Contents

Linked
Summary of 5 key ideas

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Key idea 1 of 5

What’s in it for me? Master LinkedIn and transform your job search into a successful career journey.

Job hunting is no small feat. It’s a challenging process that requires distilling your work experience into concise points, reaching out for help, and effectively marketing your skills – all of which can seem even more daunting in today’s fast-evolving job market. However, the landscape of job searching has transformed with digital tools at your disposal, making it less about going it alone and more about leveraging resources like LinkedIn to streamline your efforts and improve your chances of success.

In this Blink, you’ll learn how to navigate LinkedIn as your primary tool for job hunting, guided by insights from leading experts who specialize in optimizing this platform. You’ll discover how to tailor your profile, connect with the right people, and use LinkedIn’s features to your advantage, turning the daunting task of job hunting into a structured strategy that leads to real opportunities. By embracing a proactive approach and utilizing expert tips, you’re not just searching for any job – you’re paving the way to a career that fits your goals and fulfills your aspirations.

Navigating your job search with precision and purpose

Looking for a new job and not sure where to start? Or perhaps you don’t quite know what you’re looking for in your career? Well, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Starting your job search with a clear understanding of the kind of job that would truly fulfill you is crucial. So, before jumping into submitting resumes and updating your LinkedIn profile, it’s important to set a clear direction for your search. This will save you time while also increasing your chances of finding a job that really suits you.

Begin by asking yourself what kind of job you would love. It’s fine if you don’t have an immediate answer – discovering this is part of the process. This initial self-reflection is important because it informs every subsequent step – from crafting your resume to networking. Without this clarity, your job search efforts can feel scattered and inefficient.

A powerful tool in this discovery process is LinkedIn’s Alumni Tool. This resource lets you explore where alumni from your educational institutions have ended up in their careers. By understanding the paths others have taken, you can better navigate your own options and set realistic career goals. For instance, you can filter alumni by where they live, where they work, what they studied, and their current roles to gather insights that are relevant to your interests and goals.

To effectively use this tool, begin by selecting your school on LinkedIn and navigating to the “Alumni” section. Here, you can apply various filters to tailor the information to your needs. Suppose you’re interested in moving to a specific city or transitioning into a new industry – this tool can show you alumni in those exact contexts, providing a practical roadmap for your career exploration.

After identifying potential paths, the next step is testing these options through informational interviews. Reach out to alumni with a brief, respectful message explaining your shared background and your interest in learning about their career. These conversations can provide a wealth of real-world insights into what daily life in various roles entails and whether these might be a good fit for you.

Remember, the goal of these interviews isn’t to secure a job offer but to gather information. Approach these interactions with curiosity and respect, and always follow up with a thank you note, appreciating the insights shared.

By taking these structured steps, you will make your job search more targeted as well as more likely to lead to a career that is genuinely fulfilling. Armed with a better understanding of the possibilities and how they align with your aspirations, you can approach your job search with confidence and direction.

How to think like a recruiter and optimize your job search

There’s a little-known trick to successfully navigating today’s job market – you need to start thinking like a recruiter. Understanding what recruiters are looking for and how they use tools like LinkedIn can transform your job search from passive to proactive, ensuring you stand out in a crowded field.

Firstly, recognize that recruiters must sift through hundreds of applications for each job. Their goal is to quickly eliminate unsuitable candidates, focusing on those who are the most promising. Common pitfalls that lead to immediate rejection include spelling mistakes, referencing the wrong company in your cover letter, and lacking a professional LinkedIn photo. To avoid being dismissed, ensure every detail of your application is tailored and error-free.

Strategic job search tactics

Let’s switch gears from playing defense to taking the offensive in your job search. While a polished LinkedIn profile is a key tool for attracting recruiters, it’s your proactive efforts that really open doors. So, step out from behind your profile and start actively hunting down and applying for the roles that light you up. This means turning opportunities into actual job offers – and making your job search a dynamic pursuit of your career ambitions.

One of the most important aspects of LinkedIn that you need to understand is its Applicant Tracking Systems – ATS for short. These systems filter applications based on specific keywords and criteria before a recruiter ever views them. To make your applications stand out, it is crucial to tailor your resume using LinkedIn’s ATS-friendly templates that focus on relevant keywords and straightforward formatting.

Unlocking job opportunities through strategic networking

You’ve probably realized by now that in today’s job market, networking isn’t just about expanding your professional circle – it’s about strategically harnessing connections to propel your career forward. This approach transforms networking from a daunting task to a targeted strategy that can significantly elevate your job search success.

Central to effective networking is understanding the power of referrals. These are strong endorsements that can dramatically increase your chances of securing a job. When someone from inside the company vouches for you, it signals to recruiters that you are a credible, valuable candidate. This human element in the hiring process can often tip the scales in your favor, surpassing what automated systems and application trackers can accomplish alone.

A strategic guide to mastering job interviews

So, if you want to land your dream job, here’s what you need to do. Start by researching the company, industry, and team dynamics well before you even enter the interview room. Successful candidates stand out because they don’t just meet the job specifications – they bring a nuanced understanding of where they fit within the company and how they can contribute, demonstrating clear readiness and a strong alignment with the company’s goals. This shows that they’re not just qualified – they’re exceptionally suited for the role.

To begin with, deep knowledge of the prospective company is crucial. Sure, you can browse the company’s website, but there’s more. It involves setting up job alerts, meticulously reading through the company’s LinkedIn page, and exploring detailed presentations on platforms like SlideShare to grasp the business’s strategy and culture. Such comprehensive preparation can help you speak the company’s language and understand its key initiatives, illustrating an ability to integrate smoothly and hit the ground running.

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What is Linked about?

Linked (2022) offers practical advice on how to use LinkedIn effectively for career development. It provides strategic tips on optimizing profiles, engaging with the right networks, and unlocking new job opportunities through the platform. The guide emphasizes the importance of a well-curated online presence in today’s digital job market.

Linked Review

Linked by Omar Garriott & Jeremy Schifeling (2021) offers a fresh take on leveraging connections to advance in today's digital age. Here's why this book is worth your time:

Insights on navigating the digital networking landscape empower readers to build meaningful professional relationships online.
The book delves into strategies for cultivating a strong online presence, providing practical tips for enhancing one's career prospects.
By emphasizing the importance of authentic connections in a digital world, it ensures the content remains engaging and relevant, steering clear of monotony.

Who should read Linked?

Job seekers looking to enhance online profiles
College students preparing for the job market
Professionals interested in expanding their networks

About the Author

Omar Garriott is the Global Head of Education for Qualtrics, with past roles at Salesforce, LinkedIn, Apple, and Adobe. He began his career teaching 3rd grade with Teach for America and continues to mentor a wide range of individuals, from students to executives. He is also a cancer survivor and a proud father.

Jeremy Schifeling has focused his career on helping students and professionals excel. His experience includes recruiting at Teach For America, leading student marketing at LinkedIn, and coaching military veterans and business students. He founded Breakinto.tech to assist newcomers in launching tech careers and created LinkedIn’s most-viewed video.

Categories with Linked

Communication Skills Career & Success Marketing & Sales

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