If you are currently searching for a job, let me introduce you to a valuable resource in your job hunt. If you are not familiar with LinkedIn, you need to be acquainted with it. LinkedIn was created as a source for professionals to network with other professionals and companies. The more people you connect with on LinkedIn, the larger your network. LinkedIn uses a few layers to describe your connections:

1st Degree LinkedIn Connections - These are the most important. First degree connections are those whom you know and are directly connected with. You want to connect with friends, family, co-workers, employers, employees, former co-workers, and anyone you know.

2nd Degree LinkedIn Connections - These are people you are connected with through one of your first-degree connections. Second-degree connections are all of the users who are connected to your first-degree connections.

3rd Degree LinkedIn Connections - This is just another layer removed from your first and second degree connections.

I trust you are able to see the networking potential through LinkedIn. Imagine the fictitious scenario below:

You are connected to Bob.

Bob has 2 connections other than you (John and Jane).

John has 5 connections and Jane has 10 connections.

You are connected to 18 people even though you are only connected to 1 person.

You have 1 first-degree connection.

You have 2 second-degree connections.

You have 15 third-degree connections.

Remember that LinkedIn is not just about connected to people. You must have something for your connections to see. This is called a profile. Your profile is the most important piece of your LinkedIn membership. You need to spend time creating your profile. Be thorough, honest, and creative. In a sense, you are creating an online version of your resume, though you have greater options and functionality through LinkedIn. Let me offer a few tips from the advise that I have received:

Use the active voice. Tell what you did: sold, saved, made, created, built, started, fixed, etc. Use active voice throughout your profile (objective, skills, job experience) and avoid the passive voice.

Focus on the relevant. In other words, focus on the skills and experience that is applicable to the career you are desiring. If you have experience in human resources but you are looking for a career in sales, then focus your skills on what will prove your sales qualifications. Don't completely leave out the human resources experience, but tone it down. Focus on those skills from that work experience which pertain to the career you are seeking.

Ask for recommendations. Reach out to those whom you have worked with in the past and ask them to write a brief recommendation for you and your skills. It would be good to ask them to tailor their recommendation for the career path you are seeking to pursue.

Stay up-to-date. Regularly check and update your profile. Don't let any of you information become out of date.

Complete your profile. LinkedIn will walk you through the process of creating your account and let you know your progress. Keep updating until your profile is 100% complete!

If you don't have a profile on LinkedIn, I encourage you to create one today. If you do, spend some time updating your profile and working on the wording. Search for anyone and everyone that you could network with and send them a connection request.