Hiring Employees Using LinkedIn

April 6, 2010

Previously, we had discussed using LinkedIn to network and find new jobs, clients, etc, but what about using LinkedIn to hire employees? LinkedIn boasts over 60 million professional profiles spanning 200 countries. As far professional social networking goes, it is THE place to be seen! Here are some tips on using LinkedIn as part of your hiring process:

Connections
Use your connections first. People you already know can give you honest feedback about potential employees. Look at who your connections recommend and send a status update with information about the position you are seeking to fill. Everyone out there knows someone that is looking for a job. LinkedIn also offers paid job postings.

Engage
Join LinkedIn Groups in your field and be active in them. Ask and answer questions, offer feedback and information. You will be seen as a leader in your field and the best and brightest will want to work for you. You can also create your own group if you don’t feel there is a satisfactory one already in existence.

Be Aware
There are a lot of people on LinkedIn that add anyone and everyone as a connection. If you find a potential employee and they are connected to someone you know, ask that person how they know them, when they worked with them, etc. Although you can always find out a lot about a potential employee on the internet these days, you should always check references the old fashioned way as well.

You can learn more about using LinkedIn to hire your next employee here.