Yeah, another LinkedIn related post. Sorta.

Example 1: Breaking into a Field
Here's an example from my friend, A, who has a strong interest in a particular creative industry, and is working on some projects. He used LinkedIn to help him track down people at specific companies related to the associated fields, helping him identify specific individuals with whom he'd like to build relationships with.  Armed with names, and some URLs, he used that information to springboard to their websites, and drop a line about appreciating their work. Dialogues have ensued, and relationships are being cultivated.

Lesson: He didn't rely on LinkedIn, but used it as part of his toolkit.


Example 2: Targeting Companies
Today at Launch Pad Job Club, we had a guest speaker. Michelle Bledsoe-Frith of the City of Austin Small Business Development Program talked for an hour on the resources available through that program. Think about what sort of tools someone in a small business (500 or fewer employees) might need, be it an existing business, or one still being planned. Can you think of how those same tools can be utilized by job seekers? Still having trouble? How about:

Business Solutions Center with computers to access to market research tools on demographics, construction projects and government procurement contract opportunities.

Calendar of Events

Resource Library

Directory of Networking organizations in the area

Directory of Services available through other organizations

Business Outreach

Training and Education

Lesson: Just because something isn't directly targeted to the job-seeker doesn't mean it's not a valuable tool.

The creative job-seeker can use all of these tools to identify networking events, ways to target job opportunities, companies, and so much more. By integrating the tools you utilize, and thinking outside that proverbial box, you can greatly increase the value of your tools.