Maximizing LinkedIn for Contract Professionals
Whether you’re just establishing getting into acquisitions or you’re the company’s Chief Procurement Office, this website provides you with incredible resources.
Learn About Contracting
The two core groups I recommend are below. Other can be added from there.
- National Contract Management Association – Headquarters Approved. Lots of industry news. Just beware of spam. It can sometimes be there.
- Contract & Commercial Management. For those with a commercial bend, this is a decent group. Particularly focus on things that Tim Cummins and IACCM post.
These are the two core groups that everyone should join. However, there are many more you can look at depending on your preferences like Department of Defense or TFCN (The Federal Contractors Network).
Exchange Ideas
Participate (or at least read) the most recent discussion threads of the groups you follow. This keeps you fresh and builds your knowledge. Need recommendations for your company’s new contract management software? It’s out there. Need advice on a troublesome coworker? It’s probably out there too.
And if it’s not out there, then go to the LinkedIn Answers section and ask a question. Just make sure the question is worded properly so it will attract an answer. People like to answer interesting questions, so make sure the question is intriguing.
Meet People Offline
Eventually, you can use LinkedIn to turn online relationships into offline relationships. This strengthens the relationship and makes the person and their ideas all the more real. And make sure you have interesting questions prepared like what is the secret to their success or where do they think the industry is going.
Try to do it over something like coffee or lunch though. After all, these relationships were formed on a website for professional networking. Keep the relationship professional. (AKA meaning LinkedIn isn’t Match.com).
Turn Offline Relationships into Online Relationships
The Internet makes it easier to keep in touch with larger numbers of people than every before. (Whether those relationships are more meaningful is a discussion for another time). Ask people to find you on LinkedIn, so secure your LinkedIn vanity name. For example, my is www.linkedin.com/in/sterlingwhitehead. That makes it easy for people to remember and find me. Even better, have a business card with your LinkedIn address on it. It’s unusual to do, so it’s memorable.
Hire a New Contract Specialist
If you’re a recruiter and you’re not using LinkedIn to at least filter your candidates, I have some harsh words: you aren’t doing your job. It’s a wonderful resource to finding out the positive things about a person.
However, it is just one social network. Compare it with other profiles on Facebook and Twitter. Look for inconsistencies. If there is not anything negative about the person on any of their profiles, you’re either looking at a saint or someone who knows how to cultivate a strong online image. (The later is much more likely0.
Network with Acquisition Recruiters
If you’re a job hunter and you’re not using LinkedIn, I also have some tough words: you’re not doing it right. Join now, but learn the etiquette.
On organizations always hiring, YRCI has good recruiters and is always hiring. My past experiences with their recruiters, particularly Burton Tu, have been very positive.
P.S. The more groups and recommendations you have, the higher in the search rankings you are. This means recruiters are more likely to find you.
Do you disagree with this analysis? Would you include anything else? Let me know.
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