A Tip on a Best-Kept LinkedIn Secret: The Benefits of Joining Groups

For those of you who have been beating the bushes and are discouraged because you are seeing the same jobs everywhere you look, if you have not already done so, sign up for as many groups as possible (you can now join 50). LinkedIn now allows "Open Groups" and also offer "SubGroups" that do not count against your total limit of 50. Using Groups may be one of the most critical uses of your time and if done diligently, will be key in your job search efforts.

1) Uncover hidden jobs: Employers and search firms post their jobs free on LinkedIn groups. The competition is lower as many jobs are not widely advertised elsewhere (or at all). This is especially true of contingency search firms who operate on 100% commission and are trying to keep their costs down. LinkedIn or other social networking sites are often the only way to spread the word about open jobs.

2) Access to many more LinkedIn Members: When you join a group, you have the option of de-selecting a box that allows other group members to contact you. Most of those who join groups do not UNclick the box. This has a two-fold benefit:

a) When you do a search by people or company, you can freely send in mails to other group members who have not UNclicked the box. These in mail messages also allow you to write slightly longer messages (as opposed to "Get introduced to others"). In addition, if memory serves, you can only get introduced to up to five new connections at a time.

b) Those in your group show up as 1st degree connections. This may be a flaw on the Linkedin system, but if so, it provides an advantage.

c) It is easier to connect to those already in your group. Carefully do so by referencing that you share a group. Be mindful that it is better to do this after you have shared something in common such as attending a group function or commenting on the same discussion. BEAR IN MIND THAT LINKEDIN ONLY ALLOWS 5 "Don't Knows" BEFORE THEY SANCTION MEMBERS.

d) The more members you are connected with (in your Connections Tally), the more searches you will turn up in. When employers and search firms do searches, in addition to searching on keywords (those in your headline, in particular), since Linkedin only returns 300 searches at a time (unless those searching have a premium membership for which they pay and receive more results), the more people you are connected to, the greater the potential for the results you desire.

3) Some groups offer networking groups (phone or local face-to-face meetings) that may prove to be useful in your job search. At a minimum, you can connect with others who are in transition and make valuable friendships.

4) You can start a discussion and establish visibility and credibility as a subject matter expert.

5) Free Advertising: You can also start a discussion to promote yourself and spotlight some of your key skills. (This can be used IN ADDITION TO your own status update bubble on your profile--another free commercial)

6) If you see a discussion about a job opening, you can reply privately to the employer/search firm that posted it. Even if the job is not ideal, you can leverage the opportunity to introduce yourself for future opportunities. Again - more exposure.

TO JOIN A GROUP:
Click on "Groups," then "Group Directory," then type in relevant keywords to find groups that are geared toward the career you are in, the career that you are hoping to be in or other groups that will provide you with the right networking ideas and/or people. Good luck!