How to find good people through LinkedIn
As a human resources professional, I'm often asked by business owners and hiring managers how to find good people. Most people find their current jobs through some type of referral. Seldom do they find the job when they're actually looking for one. Typically, they're contacted by a referral, such as a friend, neighbor or co-worker, who may ask, “Do you know anyone who could do this job?”
I have found that spending more time networking than posting a job is the best way to find quality people, unless you're under a time crunch. Then I recommend you use the online network LinkedIn to find suitable candidates for the job.
Your LinkedIn network has three types of people separated by how well you know them. (The graphic accompanying this article illustrates each degree of connection.)
LinkedIn has a job-posting application that allows you to place a job advertisement and share it with your groups and social media connections. It is a very effective tool for a nominal fee of $395. Compared with major advertising costs, this is minimal and can give your job visibility for 30 days. You may also purchase packages if you're trying to fill more than one position.
Advanced search app
Another useful way to use LinkedIn to find good people is to conduct an advanced search with specific parameters, keywords or geo-targeting to meet your needs. The advanced search app is easy to use and you can look at others' contacts to obtain a warm introduction.
Here's an example: Lee is looking for a sales manager for her company. She's in Worcester and the sales manager opening is in New York. Lee can search connections using keywords and narrowing the parameters to meet her needs. With a premium account, Lee can narrow down the potential field by education, experience level and geographic radius. Once she finds a candidate who meets the criteria of the job, she can then ask for an introduction or reach out with LinkedIn's InMail function. InMail should be a guaranteed method to connect to people you don't know. Depending on the type of LinkedIn account you have — Free, Business, Sales or Recruiter — you'll find the candidate pool. Some of these people may be working, but might have the qualifications you're seeking. You can also search with keywords from your competitors.
Here's where the hiring manager or business owner must reach out to the individual and tell him that there's an opening that may match his skill set. Then, tell him what it is and sell him on a conversation. This is the same process recruiters use to help find candidates when they're looking on your behalf.
Next, ask for a more detailed resume or, if their LinkedIn profile showcases their accomplishments, ask how you may connect via telephone. This is the beginning of pre-screening a quality person and will ultimately lead to a hire.
Nancy Dube is principal of Dube Consulting in West Boylston, which provides human resources outsourcing services and LinkedIn expertise. Contact her via
http://dubeconsulting.com.
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