![]() Other advantages include analytic insights that help users understand how their activities increase their views, boosts in algorithms that can put them in front of employers, and access to LinkedIn Learning, which is a powerful database of online courses in everything from career management tools to programming languages to business skills. Features like In-mail allow members to reach out to contacts beyond their second-level contacts, which can be a great way to begin building a more robust network. A 90-day subscription to LinkedIn Premium could really help a job seeker to boost their search. ![]() Gift someone premium LinkedIn membership. These individuals took the initiative to extend outside of their circle and take a risk, and you may be surprised what a 20-minute conversation and possible introduction to one person in your network can lead to. While it’s impossible to take all of them, make it a point to offer some time each month to an unknown individual who reaches out, especially those who have done their homework, but may not have had a shared connection to make the introduction. ![]() If you’re well-connected, chances are you get constant requests for informational meetings, coffee chats or phone conversations. Set up a 1-1 with someone outside of your inner circle. And even if volunteering isn’t your gig, there may be other chances within your church community, among the service providers you regularly interact with or even some random exchanges (e.g., I was once able to connect my restaurant server to an Executive in the industry he was targeting!). When we volunteer, we inevitably expand our circle of connections, which creates an opportunity to share our access with others. This person wouldn’t have had access to Jeff or his network otherwise. In his keynote, Jeff tells the story of an enterprising young high school senior he met through volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club who he helped to advance her dream. Volunteer with a non-profit organization. ![]() For example, if you’re the former, there’s no need to accept every invite, but perhaps you can open your network to those contacts who have invested the time to send a thoughtful, personal invite? If you’re a LION, consider how you can take the next step to help connect your contacts to others in your network who may have mutual interests. No matter your strategy, each of us can likely take a step further to close the network gap. Depending on your view of LinkedIn’s purpose, you may use the platform as a Rolodex of your personal contacts or you may take a LION (LinkedIn Open Networker) approach and accept every invite. Accept an out-of-network connection – and help them. If you’ve benefited from your connections and want to help others who may not have the same access, here are some ideas to get started: As an avid promoter of both networking and LinkedIn, I’m excited to see this challenge being addressed at this level, and believe there’s a lot we can do as individuals to support this effort to close the network gap. ![]()
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