Friday, December 28, 2007

Leveraging your LinkedIn network

Yesterday while I was home with my family I spent about an hour on LinkedIn searching for people at interesting startups and venture firms where I might like to work.

Since I started using LinkedIn a few years ago I have been able to amass over 500 connections (these are by and large people I have worked with or people I have met via phone or in person at least once) which I am now leveraging in a big way as I use it to reach out to folks who are 2nd and 3rd degree to me.

If you have a LinkedIn account but don't use it that much, I highly recommend that you try to build out your network. You never know when you will need it.

Also, I haven't seen it used this way, but there are a TON of MBA students on LinkedIn, and I think it would be a good way for applicants to search for folks who came from or want to get into the same industry, or just to find students at specific schools to chat with.

In fact, this is something that I did not do when I was applying, but very easily could have. I know alot of folks know people who attend their target schools through friends, past jobs, etc but this is definitely a good way to expand the breadth of MBA students you might be able to reach.

I'd be interested to hear if any of you have tried this in the context of your application process, and how it worked (works?) for you.

3 comments:

Random Hindustani said...

Hey,

I've found a lot students/alums from top MBA programs on LinkedIn. I tried getting in touch with them.......... a good percentage responded to my emails but most who responded offered help in terms of a paid application consultancy service....... so dunno what to make of it.........

John said...

Interesting - I would find it surprising for folks to try to get some money out of the deal, unless they were specifically in the admissions consulting business. Anyone else have similar experiences?

Random Hindustani said...

Talked to one good lady today....... she spoke to me for a good 30 minutes or so and gave quite frank advice and some real inside tips.......... great stuff........