Martine Rolls: Professionals find place to connect

The internet is full of options for networking in business today.

Network meetings and real recommendations from people who know what you can do are the best way to connect in business, there's no denying that.

But for my own small business venture, I've found the social media network LinkedIn rather useful, too.

It was launched 10 years ago, and has become the place of choice for people in business to connect and share information online.

It's a bit like Facebook for professionals or like an ambitious young professional from Tauranga put it during a catch-up a few weeks ago: "Where Facebook is the playground, LinkedIn is the boardroom."

LinkedIn is also the only place I am aware of where people you haven't seen in years can endorse you for certain skills and expertise, while they may have no idea if you actually have those skills.

I was endorsed for web design skills by two different people last week, and it would be unfair to take credit for that.

I'm pretty good at making websites work, but I am no expert in coding or design.

If someone needs a good job done in those departments, I can recommend some talented other local professionals but that's about it.

I have since removed the web design skill from my profile and checked the rest. I can now safely say that everything on my profile is correct and relevant.

It's just not a good look to have an outdated professional online networking profile or one with incorrect information.

The way LinkedIn endorsements work may be a bit odd, but the network's functionality to give recommendations is invaluable.

They are personal and to the point. The best way to get recommendations on your profile is to simply ask your LinkedIn connections for them.

Of course, it's even more effective if you recommend others in return.

If you are looking for a job, LinkedIn can help.

Lots of recruiters use LinkedIn and jobs are posted on the site every day. They are tailored to your profile and easy to find.

LinkedIn is especially helpful when it comes to landing higher-paying jobs so, if you are in the market for one of those, make sure you are active on the site and have an updated profile.

Users can also follow companies and keep an eye on who is coming and going.

If you spot someone has left a company you'd like to join, see it as a golden opportunity to contact its HR department.

The biggest thing within LinkedIn at the moment are the groups.

LinkedIn's Daria Axelrod Marmer said in a blog post 200 conversations were happening each minute across LinkedIn Groups, and more than 8000 groups were created each week.

With more than two million active groups on the site, there is plenty for everyone.

I've joined a few of them, mainly to do with entrepreneurship, social media, and digital marketing, but I haven't posted any comments so far. I do visit regularly and read other people's posts and although I haven't engaged in any discussions yet, it's been a great resource.

LinkedIn Today is another feature I check most days.

A lot of my research about all that's happening online is done online, and I've learned a great deal from articles published there.

For inspiration, I also check the Influencers - they are hiding under the Interests tab and are well worth a look.

LinkedIn's full offering is comprehensive, so if you are new to the network it makes sense to take sometime to learn about its many features.

Browse the site, or if you want to make things a little quicker, you could visit the LinkedIn Help Centre.

Like most help pages online, it is a little dry. The blog is much easier to comprehend, and will also point you to what you're looking for.

Whatever you use it for, make sure to use it well.

People are much easier to find on LinkedIn than on Twitter and Facebook, and if you'd like to connect with me, feel free to send me an invitation.

Martine Rolls is a Tauranga writer and digital strategist - www.sweetorange.co.nz