Thursday, May 28, 2020

I Used JibberJobber In A Cool Way!

I Used JibberJobber In A Cool Way! Im pretty excited about this weve had this premium feature in JibberJobber for a while, and I have known its useful, but this morning I used it in a way so cool (and simple) I had to share I was writing an introduction from a software specialist to three guys I know at a super-cool IT recruiting shop in the Salt Lake area.   My first thought was to search all their names, and then get their email addresses so I could include all three guys in the introduction. Then I thought Ill just search the company name from the List Panel and then I could drill down on their accounts to get their email addys (I dont show the email addy on my List Panel view you can but I choose to see it from the Manage Columns link). So I put this into the search box for my network contacts: The search results show up (just five records) and I simply click on the multi-action icon () to get all the email addresses in a format I can just copy and paste I selected the three contacts and then click on the last icon (red arrow) like this: Then I get their email addyresses in the box below notice #1 shows that I can just click to create a new email message with their addresses already in it, AND we are giving you the box so you can simply copy and paste into an existing message (#2): Back on the List Panel, I clicked on the add log entry icon () and added a log entry to all three records, noting the introduction email I sent out.   I like to log things like that so I can remember my activity with my contacts how cool is that?? Like I said, its been in the system for a while, but it was SO cool to use it this way if you need email addys of a group of people, and you can somehow define the group (by company, or by name (a family name), or by tags, categories or keywords, then you can use this feature COOL   (again, its a premium feature so if you dont see it, upgrade). Yeah, its the simple things in life (and JibberJobber) that please me :p I Used JibberJobber In A Cool Way! Im pretty excited about this weve had this premium feature in JibberJobber for a while, and I have known its useful, but this morning I used it in a way so cool (and simple) I had to share I was writing an introduction from a software specialist to three guys I know at a super-cool IT recruiting shop in the Salt Lake area.   My first thought was to search all their names, and then get their email addresses so I could include all three guys in the introduction. Then I thought Ill just search the company name from the List Panel and then I could drill down on their accounts to get their email addys (I dont show the email addy on my List Panel view you can but I choose to see it from the Manage Columns link). So I put this into the search box for my network contacts: The search results show up (just five records) and I simply click on the multi-action icon () to get all the email addresses in a format I can just copy and paste I selected the three contacts and then click on the last icon (red arrow) like this: Then I get their email addyresses in the box below notice #1 shows that I can just click to create a new email message with their addresses already in it, AND we are giving you the box so you can simply copy and paste into an existing message (#2): Back on the List Panel, I clicked on the add log entry icon () and added a log entry to all three records, noting the introduction email I sent out.   I like to log things like that so I can remember my activity with my contacts how cool is that?? Like I said, its been in the system for a while, but it was SO cool to use it this way if you need email addys of a group of people, and you can somehow define the group (by company, or by name (a family name), or by tags, categories or keywords, then you can use this feature COOL   (again, its a premium feature so if you dont see it, upgrade). Yeah, its the simple things in life (and JibberJobber) that please me :p

Monday, May 25, 2020

How to Deal with the Choices (You Dont Like) that People Make 

How to Deal with the Choices (You Don’t Like) that People Make   One of our greatest challenges is the domain of relationships, personal and professional.  What makes this area laborious? Our points of view. Our fixed points of view trigger difficulties. You know, the points of view that we hold and defend dearly, no matter the cost. ‘My way of doing this is the right way!’ ‘He will never treat me the way I desire.’ ‘She is always gone when I need her.’ This need to prove and be right creates resistance and struggle in the world. What if there were other possibilities that would open up more ease for you and others? The next time you feel resistance and struggle with choices made my someone else, consider these perspectives for self-facilitation. Interesting Point of View When people’s choices don’t reflect your preference, identify the reasons that create your dissatisfaction. What would it take to see their choices as just an interesting point of view? By doing so gets you away from the difficult and unrewarding job of being responsible for the choices of others. You will feel better.  See the world and the behaviors of people as an interesting point of view. Wouldn’t it create more ease in your universe? This is not to say you are free of responsibility for your life. You will continue to do what is required, just why not eliminate the stuff that isn’t yours to worry about. Trust in a different way We have learned that trust means ‘blind faith,’ that ‘’Everything will be fine.’’ What if trust means that the person will do what they have always done until the choose differently. If an employee has the habit to arrive late at work, trust that she will be late until she chooses something else.  Trust is not about hoping they will change or trying to make them become a certain way. This way you are much more likely to not be disappointed or upset when they do what they have always done. Does this reaction/thought belong to me? The next time you are upset by choices made by other people, ask yourself if the frustration is really yours.  We are more aware of the energy and activities around us than we give ourselves credit. We can walk into a room of people and immediately assess the emotional flow.  Acknowledging this capacity for ourselves can greatly reduce our stress and self-criticism. For some reason, we believe if we think or feel something, it must be ours. This is functioning like a crazy woman. How much are you influenced by the emotions  and the thoughts  of those around you?  â€˜Does this creepy feeling belong to me?’ Probably not!  Get into the rhythm of asking more questions, then you will have less self-destructive conclusions. Create Your Reality One law of this reality is action gets a reaction. Someone makes a mess in one part of the world, it floats across the ocean into our backyard. If your world is confined to an office space or bedroom, well this could intensify the mess. Choices made by bosses, spouses, children, or government can influence our actions. Aside from giving up or screaming at our misfortunes, what can we do? The short answer is create your own reality. Yeah, simple huh. Creating your own reality doesn’t mean clicking your heels, collecting enough gold and diamonds to purchase a remote island, although that could also be fun. It is more about creating your life, being honest with yourself about what you desire and going all in. If you are noticing more crazy drivers on the road, increased numbers of disgruntled colleagues and countless tasteless dinners, consider checking in with yourself. This is a prime time to ask yourself some creative questions. Have I lost my way? Are my targets and goals large enough? What do I really desire to do and be? Am I getting in my own way to having what I really desire?   The more we are enjoying the ride of what we love doing, most of the “don’t likes” and conflicts disappear. The truth is you can only know happiness if you are in harmony with exploring and doing what is true for you. Ask questions Asking questions and making another choice is a very simple, elementary concept. Yet we have a tendency to make a choice and feel an obligation to stay with that choice. Have we created internal contracts with ourselves? How is that working for you?  It is just one choice in an unlimited choice pool. If something isn’t working, ask a few questions. ‘If I continue with this project, relationship, job, dinner what will that create in my life?’, ‘Is this fun for me?’, ‘What would it take to have ease with this?’ Once you ask a question, you will receive an awareness that will guide you to make choices. Acknowledge when a partnership, relationship or job is no longer working for you. Is it better to get into the dingy and start rowing or stay onboard a sinking ship and bail water? It is your choice! Do you want to be right or free? Freedom is  created when  being in allowance. If you are sharing space with a co-worker, creative team, or someone in traffic, being in allowance is allowing their points of view without reaction,  nor resistance. Allowance is not about compromise, giving in or being run over. It is simply allowing their point of view without having to defend yours. Also, be clear about what works for you and let that be known. And, of course, asking questions like ‘How can we compliment each other on this project?’ Or ‘How can I drive my car and allow the ‘stupid’s’ their space?’ It is very helpful to acknowledge what is true. Choices Controlling others and their choices is a fruitless challenge.  No matter which point of view you have, how caring you are, and how much success you desire for them, at the end of the day, people will choose what they desire to choose. By standing aside, perhaps the choices other people make for themselves will create different and unique results we could not have imagined. It is one of the greatest caring we can be for them and ourselves. We can only be clear  on  what we are here to contribute to this world. What kind of world do you desire to live in?  Continue to ask questions to follow your dreams with more ease. We are all making choices that either bring us closer to happiness or further away. It is and will always be just a choice. This guest post was authored by Edith Paul Edith Paul is a Life Coach, inspirational speaker and certified facilitator of several Access Consciousness ® specialty programs, including Right Voice for You. Edith is a natural pathfinder who is inspired to teach, facilitate and uplift others on their journey to greater awareness. A committed educator and compassionate community volunteer, Edith has been teaching Mathematics and English to adults for more than a decade and has been an Al-Anon support representative in her local community. She is a native French speaker and provides workshops, classes and consultations in both English and French, for those who desire to be a contribution to people’s lives including their own life. She travels internationally, extending an invitation to the curious to trust their internal knowing.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Top Resume Mistakes That Could Cost You the Job

Top Resume Mistakes That Could Cost You the Job You could have all the skills experience to make you the best candidate for a role, but if youve made sloppy mistakes on your resume, or not taken the time to write it in a way that will get you noticed, it could cost you the job. Recruiters generally make up their mind about a candidate within 60 seconds of glancing at their resume, so it could be something as small as a spelling error that gets your application discarded. So what makes a stand out resume and what are the most common mistakes that job seekers make? Ayers have the answers. CV and Resume Statistics: Recruiters spend an average of 3.14 minutes reading a candidates resume and they have generally made up their mind within the first minute. 1 in 5 recruiters will actually reject a candidate before theyve even finished reading their resume. 5% of applicants are dishonest when describing their previous roles or the time they spent in a job. 10% of job seekers have applied for 50 or more jobs without hearing back. What are the top reasons that recruiters reject a resume? 59% of recruiters will reject a candidate because of poor grammar or a spelling error. Though these mistakes seem small, they indicate that the candidate is sloppy and hasnt taken the time to proofread their resume. Over 50% of recruiters will reject a candidate if their resume is full of cliches. You need to differentiate yourself from the crowd, cliches are boring. Over 40% are also put off by too much design, such as snazzy borders, inappropriate fonts, clipart images..or even an emoji! What are the top 10 resume cliches that recruiters hate? I can work independently. Most people can! Im a hard worker. Yes, arent we all? I work well under pressure. Congratulations you tough cookie! What makes a great resume? Read through your resume at least 3 times to make sure there are NO spelling or grammar mistakes and it all reads smoothly. Get someone else to check it over too, in case you missed something and to get a second opinion. Keep your resume as professional as possible. Photos are not necessary and fancy fonts make it look slightly unprofessional. Stick to a simple font such as Calibri or Arial, use bullet points for easy scan-ability and ensure that they layout is consistent throughout.  Try to keep it to a couple of pages long. Ensure that your contact details are correct and up to date. Tailor your resume for the job, mentioning keywords and skills that are included in the job advert. Use specific examples of achievements from each role. Top image: Shutterstock

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Increasing Customer Satisfaction is as easy as 1, 2, and 3

Increasing Customer Satisfaction is as easy as 1, 2, and 3 Customer satisfaction creates something special for your business.   They are likely to return for repeat business share their positive experience with others create content that works as word-of-mouth marketing defend your brand against the nay-sayers provide fantastic feedback to grow your brand That’s quite a list and that’s only touching the tip of the iceberg in terms of benefits. When you have a customer that is so thrilled they’ve done business with your brand… you’ll know it. Now, you can take the typical approach to doing customer service, which is okay for the most part. It satisfies the customer (normally) but it doesn’t really give that exceptional experience they want. They feel like they’re just another customer that happened to do business with (to be forgotten the moment they walk about the door or complete the online checkout). Customer satisfaction is important, no doubt, and just looking at all those wonderful opportunities that can come about from it must have you pumped to start working on improving the interaction. As someone who has been working in online commerce for the past several years (doing everything from creating sales emails, developing products, conducting customer surveys, managing social, and the whole gamut that online commerce details), I can say that much of it really boils down to just a few simple actions that anyone can do. Here is what I’d recommend you try to improve customer satisfaction: 1. Get on the phone or video chat Emails, live chat, and social media are immensely impersonal compared to the effect of the human voice or seeing someone eye-to-eye on video chat. We aren’t great at picking up subtle nuances of communication when it’s in text form. Voice and video, however, creates a bond and a sense of empathy; when a bond is created the customer becomes attentive, feels respected, and will be open about expressing their feelings. You aren’t going to succeed in this personalized communication from the get-go, which is why you should take notes, absorb feedback, and leverage a call recording system so that you may master the subtle nuances of customer engagement that lead to building bonds and feelings of empathy. Once you begin to understand the individual â€" you will be able to provide a fantastic experience that will lead to great customer satisfaction. 2. Spotlighting I like to call it spotlighting because it puts the individual on the pedestal. When you have great things to say about a customer to others in your community by sharing their testimonials, video reviews, feedback, suggestions, and kind words, they understand your appreciation while simultaneously feel like they’re becoming closer to the brand (and the people behind it). By giving your customer the spotlight they will talk about their experiences, defend your brand, recommend you to others, and even create content to help market your products/services. When they feel involved they feel satisfied. 3. Trim the Trouble-makers It may sound harsh but those individuals that are constantly negative, likely to flame and attack others, and feel “holier than thou” to the rest of the community truly bring down the collective satisfaction. In many ways, it’s like being in a group of friends but there’s always that one individual that takes it too far and the party ceases to be fun. You should feel okay about firing your clients if they are too negative for the brand, aggressive to employees, and to others in the community. Once they’re eliminated your employees will have more time to take care of the good clients and that will naturally lead to better customer satisfaction because their needs are being facilitated. Yes, this is quite a condensed list but I do believe that it’s a fantastic starting point for those striving to create excellence in their customer support and interaction. From here I would recommend delving deeper into the customer experience, getting out there and talking with consumers, conducting tests, surveys, and gaining feedback, and work on your personal presentation. When you come across as sincere and do your best to satisfy the customers… you’ll be sure to gain all those benefits as mentioned in the beginning of the post. Best of luck! Image Source

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Freelance vs. Full-Time Software Developer Which One Is for You - CareerMetis.com

Freelance vs. Full-Time Software Developer Which One Is for You From websites to mobile apps and everything in between, the tech needs of modern-day businesses are greater than ever before.Software developers will continue to be in high demand as companies increasingly rely on their expertise to stay in the market and grow their brands. So if you’re setting out on a career in software development, you’ve made a great choice! You’re looking at many great opportunities ahead.evalWith opportunities flourishing within the field, developers are not only highly paid â€" they also have the advantage of being able to choose their mode of work.Should you opt for a full-time position as a developer within a company, or go down the entrepreneurial path and become a freelancer? Both are viable options, and it’s an important, career-shaping decision to make.As such, it shouldn’t be taken lightly. That’s why we’re going to approach these two options systematically by examining the pros and cons of both. Being well-informed on all the various aspe cts of both choices and comparing them to each other will help you see which one is the ideal fit for you.FlexibilityevalThe first thing that comes to mind when considering becoming a freelancer is flexibility â€" the freedom to choose projects you work on and refuse the ones that you don’t want. There’s also the freedom of working whenever you want, from the comfort of your home or any other place you choose.This is, of course, a very attractive side of freelancing. If you just can’t see yourself working within a hierarchy, being overseen by superiors in an office, or simply rushing every morning to get to work when you’d rather get the job done in your PJ’s, freelance work is definitely for you.But you have to know that it’s not all too simple. As a freelancer, you can very easily fall prey to all the freedom you have.If you embark on this career path, you’ll have to discipline yourself and employ time management practicesso you don’t fall off track with your proje cts or completely blur the line between work and home life. For many people, working within a company and being overseen by their team helps them stay in check and get work done efficiently.evalAlso, although it does sound tempting to be able to reject projects that don’t pay enough or aren’t beneficial to your career, you’ll need to be very wise with which projects you accept or reject.You’ll have to make these career-defining decisions constantly, which is something full-time developers don’t have to think about as much.If you just want to do your job and build your experience without constantly thinking about the next step or what it represents to your career, full-time work is a less stressful option.In short, the freelancing does offer more freedom, but it takes discipline and willpower to stay efficient and professional. And don’t expect that you’ll be sipping on cocktails and working remotely from an exotic beach.evalMaybe sometime in the future or when you have an “easy” project to complete, but crunch time is equally strenuous for freelancers and full-time employees alike.SecurityAs flexibility is the primary benefit of freelance work, security is the primary benefit of full-time work. As a W2 employee, you just need to do your job professionally to get a regular paycheck, along with benefits, bonuses, and other perks.Freelancing doesn’t offer this type of security and you’ll have to do your own taxes and invest in your own retirement fund.As a full-time software developer, security also means that you won’t have to worry about running out of work as your list of clients dries up.Fortunately, there are numerous opportunities for freelance software developersso you can count on always finding a reliable source of income, but this will take effort on your part â€" you’ll always have to be involved, updated, and on the lookout.Many developers choose to work full-time in a company because of the security and benefits of this type of work entails, especially when they have families to provide for and don’t want to take risks.Growth and developmentYour professional development is an insurmountably important factor to consider when examining these two options.Software development is in high demand and we’re not going to be seeing a surplus of developers anytime soon, but it’s a competitive field nevertheless. Whether you choose to work full-time or as a freelancer, in order to be successful you’ll always have to stay on top of the latest trends in coding and continuously develop relevant skills.This is something that the best software development companieshold in high regard. They aim to provide their employees with on-going training, information, or even courses as they make the necessary technological changes.evalWorking within a company also means you’ll be part of a team of professionals in your field, exchanging information and collaborating on new ideas. It’s much easier to stay updated.We ca n’t say the same for freelance software development, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to develop professionally and stay informed on changing customer demands if you choose this path.You’ll just have to put in much more effort and train yourself, using various tools for learning. It will be your responsibility to ensure you always have the skills that the current market demands, which means you’ll need to devote time, effort, and possibly funds to invest in your knowledge.Professional interactionThis relates directly to the previous point we’ve talked about. We’ve touched upon how professional interaction within a company will definitely help you stay updated and connected to the changing demands of software development.An online community of freelance software developers can serve as a replacement for the physical workplace environment. It can help you stay updated and exchange ideas or information so you’re not alone in your profession and oblivious to its o n-going development.evalBut there’s another thing to consider: some people crave interaction during work. They like being able to chat with colleagues about current events or anything unrelated to the job. You might even connect with a like-minded co-worker and become friends outside of the workplace.If that sounds good to you, it’s a benefit of full-time work. But maybe it doesn’t, and you really like the idea of working alone peacefully and not having to engage in office politics or the overall “team spirit”. The office environment feels stressful to many, and maybe you like to handle the stress of deadlines on your own.But beware, because it does get lonely. We all need human interaction, and if you have plenty of opportunities for it outside of work, the isolation of constantly working alone won’t be overwhelming. You might also have the option of working at a hub for freelancersin your location.These co-working environments for freelancers are designed specifically with human and professional interaction in mind, with added benefits such as increased productivity that comes with structure.evalPayWe’re saving the finances for the last. The money you’ll be earning from either career path is naturally an important factor to consider, but that depends heavily on different circumstances. And in a way, it largely evens out.Here’s the deal: freelancers mayearn moreif they make smart moves, but high-paying jobs don’t just fall into your lap. You’ll need to work hard, accept lower-paying projects at first and establish your base of clients as well as an enviable portfolio.Moreover, you’ll constantly have to compete with overseas developers who may offer lower rates for their work, and you’ll have to convince companies why it is worthwhile to choose you and pay more for services. It’s a constant hunt, but you just need to be diligent and, well, sell yourself. It’s not called the entrepreneurial way without a reason.There are no such gi mmicks when working full-time for a software development company, but you will earn less than a successful freelancer.However, your effective income will be larger than it seems on paper. That’s because your employer will pay half of your Social Security and Medicare taxes, and you’ll likely have significant contributions to your healthcare and retirement fund â€" something that freelancers have to regulate and deduct all on their own, afterseeing that hefty sum on paper.So, which one is for you?Well, the pros and cons of various aspects are there for you to decide. It really depends on your preferences and current circumstances. It’s best to weigh on each point â€" what are you ready to compromise, and what are you resolute about? Are the responsibilities and discipline that freelancing demands something that you would take on rather than office hierarchy? Does the entrepreneurial side sound exciting?Professionals have varying preferences so there can be no definite answer, b ut more than that â€" you might find your values changing as your circumstances change.Maybe you want to try out both, and that’s great. Always be on the lookout for when it’s time to weigh the options once again and take the leap to change your career path. By striking a balance between intuitive and logical decision making, there’s no need to be anxious about whether you’ve made the right choice.

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Does Your LinkedIn Profile Make You Look Out Of Sync

Does Your LinkedIn Profile Make You Look Out Of Sync Does Your LinkedIn Profile Make You Look Out Of Sync? Age Discrimination / LinkedIn Profiles / Personal Brand Anyone who’s looking for a new job has been told they need to be on LinkedIn. That’s true. Its also true that you need to be LinkedIn even if you’re not looking. Whether you like it or not, your LinkedIn profile, or lack of one, is part of your personal brand. Certainly, recruiters and hiring managers who receive your resume will review your LinkedIn profile. So will people that you meet at conferences, seminars, or networking events who want to learn more about you. Make sure what they find is your best self. That includes having a head shot. I know there are people who resist putting up a head shot because they’re afraid of discrimination. Yes, it’s out there. There are people who will think you’re too old or too young. Too ethnic or not ethnic enough. They may take an instant dislike to you because you remind them of a former boss or a neighbor they don’t like. However, the benefits far outweigh the potential risks.   Despite its business focus, LinkedIn is considered social media. LinkedIn’s research shows that LinkedIn profiles with a photo get 21X more views and 9X more connection requests. A 2018 CareerBuilder survey found 70% of employers research candidates on social networking sites and 47% say that they’re unlikely to contact a candidate for an interview if they can’t find them online. As a former recruiter, I can say that LinkedIn profiles that show up in search without photos raise red flags. People wonder what the person might be hiding. When selecting your LinkedIn photo choose one that actually looks like you. Avoid putting up a photo so old or so photoshopped that people won’t recognize you when you meet them. While I’m all for looking our best selves, a little photoshop can help with that, you don’t want people to be shocked when they meet you. I’ve been surprised more than once when meeting people for the first time at a conference or other event. I’ve been guilty of leaving an old headshot up for too long myself. Don’t make that mistake. While having a professional head shot taken is great if you have the budget. But, it’s not necessary. A photo taken with a smart phone will work. Here are a few tips: Stick to appropriate business attire. A shirt with a collar is probably a good idea. You may or may not need a jacket and tie. You shouldn’t be wearing a tuxedo or any other type of formal wear. Have someone else take a photo, selfies don’t look professional. Photos should be of you alone. Don’t crop group photos, it always looks bad. Look into the camera and smile Once you have a few photos get some objective opinions by having them analyzed online.   I’ve used and recommended Photofeeler to my friends and clients for a few years. They have free and paid options. The paid options are inexpensive. https://www.photofeeler.com/ Recently, I learned about snappr which looks like it’s in Beta. Snappr analyzes the headshot you have on LinkedIn for free. It also provides a link to book a photoshoot. However, they don’t have any photographers available outside Australia.  https://www.snappr.co/photo-analyzer/ It’s also important to have a background photo on your LinkedIn profile. When LinkedIn changed its interface a few years ago, they added a background photo much like Facebook. Not having a background shot make you look like you’re not technically savvy which is particularly important if youre of a certain age or have been out of work for a while. In all cases it makes you look generic. Remember the photo you choose is part of your personal brand. If you live in a large city you may want to use a cityscape or skyline. There are several sites that sell stock photos. I primarily use 123RF https://www.123rf.com/ but there are many other sites. Always make sure that you check the rights of use you are buying. There are also many sites where you can create your own LinkedIn banners. I like Canva for banners, blog posts, Instagram posts, etc. It’s easy to use. https://www.canva.com/ Some of my colleagues swear by visme https://www.visme.co/ There are many other options online. Your LinkedIn profile needs to tell your career story. It needs to provide insights about who you are, why you do what you do as well as details about your professional experience. A photo of you is an essential part of showing people who you are.

Friday, May 8, 2020

They viewed my LinkedIn profile - If I contact them, am I a stalker - Hallie Crawford

They viewed my LinkedIn profile - If I contact them, am I a stalker I wanted to share this great client story with you. I was talking to Janice in Ohio recently, she applied for a position at Pitney Bowes. Right away she noticed two Pitney people viewed her LinkedIn profile. She asked me if it was appropriate for her to reach out them, or would she look like a stalker. I said go for it, just be careful of how you word your message and be professional. Here is the conversation thread you can use if you are ever in this situation â€" and her story of how it worked well: Hallie: Write them both and say something like: Hi NAME, I recently applied for X position at X company. I wanted to reach out to you to let you know I am very interested in working at XX to (for example) to facilitate and enhance the research process (mention how you could impact the organization through that role). I would love to have the chance to interview for this position. If we can connect on LinkedIn that would be great, but at the very least I wanted to re-iterate my interest in the position. Thank you, NAME *Side note: You could also ask this person for 10 minutes of their time to conduct an informational interview to learn more about the organization. Janice: Thanks, Hallie.  I took your advice and contacted both.  They each accepted and one of them invited me to call them  tomorrow  or  Wednesday. ??  Hopefully this can help start getting the ball rolling on something! Here’s the logic everyone: What do you have to lose? You do want to be careful of contacting people you don not know on LinkedIn so they don’t report you as spamming them. But if you handle it professionally and are clear with your intentions, the likelihood of that happening is low. Worst case they ignore your request. My client Jeremy in New Jersey said the other day, “You’re always pushing the envelope.” He’s right. You have to be assertive in your search to get noticed. Certified Career Coach P.S. Be sure to check out our  LinkedIn Consulting Program  where you can  learn how to effectively leverage your LinkedIn account for your job search and ongoing professional development.