How can you ensure that an employer will review your resume? The answer is simple. Have the document referred to HR from a past or present employee of the company you wish to work for. While this task might seem strenuous, LinkedIn has made it easy to connect with employees all over the world!

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Use the search box to find the company you want to work for and employees from that company should appear among the search results.

2. Connect with as many of those employees as you can, regardless of whether they are past or present.  Past employees may still have connections to the company (and you want to utilize all of your options)!

3. Invite them to connect as a “friend” and then send them a personal note.  Just two or three sentences is sufficient. Make sure to ask about how they like working for the company, as well as if they would be willing to talk to you for 5 minutes or so about what they do (or did) on a day-to-day basis.

4. When the two of you do connect over the phone, make sure the conversation stays focused on them and their experiences with the company.  Don’t make the conversation about you or ask them for any favors right now. When the conversation ends, if it goes well, usually they will ask what you are interested in and if they can help in any way.  This is what you’ve been waiting for! You haven’t asked them for anything, yet they’ve offered their assistance to you. 

Searching for employees via LinkedIn is one of the best ways to connect with today’s professionals; however, it is by no means the only method!  Other options include: Joining Groups and Using Your Alumni Network. 

• By joining a LinkedIn Group, you gain the ability connect with those who share similar interests and/or careers. Most likely, someone in the group will be employed by a company that you wish to work for. 

• Joining your college and high school Alumni Network is useful because most people are willing to support those who attended their alma mater. 

Always remember, you must build a relationship with someone before immediately asking them for any favors!

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