10 Tips to Find Potential Candidates on LinkedIn (2)

4. Use Google to Search the LinkedIn Public Network. [Note: This tip is from Glenn Gutmacher (glenn@recruiting-online.com), internet sourcer extraordinaire.] Many people have made their LinkedIn profile public. You can find them using Google with this search string:

site:www.linkedin.com intitle:linkedin -intitle:answers -intitle:updated
-intitle:blog -intitle:directory -inurl:megite.com plus your specific keywords, e.g., sales "Los Angeles area" "consumer electronics"

5. Network through Endorsements and Recommendations. LinkedIn provides a means to endorse others. These endorsements, which show up as recommendations on the endorsed person's profile, provide another series of connections. Not only do these dramatically increase your opportunity to find great candidates, make sure you mention the name of one of these connections when you call to increase your callback rate.

6. Build a Network of Top Candidates and Prospects. Whenever you talk with a good candidate, make sure you connect with them on LinkedIn immediately. Not only is this a great way to keep track of your candidate network, but you'll also be able to see the names and titles of everyone in their networks. Then whenever you need to contact one of these people, all you need to do is ask your initial candidate to pre-qualify the person before calling. Within a few months you'll have a huge network of people for all of your open assignments. To make this manageable, only network with strong people since they tend to network with other strong people.

7. Build a Private Tip-toe Network. When good people get the itch to check out the job market they always connect with their primary network first to see if anything's available. Make sure you tell everyone in your network you want to talk with these people who are tip-toeing into the job market. This is a great way to get first dibs on the best people in your field.

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