Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Professionalize: LinkedIn


LinkedIn is a site that helps members to stay connected professionally, find an expert, and possibly find a job. I am noticing more and more ITP staff, students and faculty becoming members. It represents a level of professionalism that puts you "in the game" and really helps you keep track of colleagues who move away or change career paths.
You wonder if you can really get a job through LinkedIn. A long-time friend of mine was contacted by two different recruiters about two different jobs. She wasn't looking for a job but the second job inquiry really matched her career path and was too good to resist. She started working at the new job a month ago. She is in marketing. If it isn't there yet, I think this type of recruitment will eventually be just as common in education and psychology as it is in business now.
There is still the question of privacy. Just keep in mind this is like your business card. Put into LinkedIn what you want the public to see.
I haven't tried the "find an expert" aspect yet. I probably will eventually in my line of work. Please feel free to share your own experience of LinkedIn or other networking sites.