It can be hard being stuck at home.But I don’t have to tell you that. It’s also hard being stuck in a job you’re sick of. That’s how I felt five years ago working in financial services. My stint had been a long one — four companies spanning 16 years — and I wanted a change. The company I worked for was acquired by another and things were stressful. (“Dear newly acquired employees: Relax. We won’t be making any changes to staff.” Riiiiight.) I started using LinkedIn more regularly that year, having had an account since 2007. Before 2015, I tended to use LinkedIn only when I was in job-search mode. That meant that, for months on end, I’d use it actively and then all but ignore it the rest of the time.

 

When linkedin saved my sanity

That bumpy year in 2015, my strategy was simple: Spend time on LinkedIn each week to see if I could find a new job. I asked people to connect with me (some who worked where I hoped to work), read what my connections were talking about so I had something to say to them, and scanned many job postings. My ramped-up activity didn’t land me a new job, but the regular networking made me feel proactive, focused, happier. In August 2015, my company abruptly cut my position and axed several of my teammates’ roles, too. No offense to my team, but for me, personally, I was bummed for only five minutes. Here was the big change I’d wanted! I worked through the end of the year for the company and started my business in January 2016, where I’ve worked happily ever since.

There have been other times when LinkedIn became my lifeline, too:

• My move from Kansas City to Arizona. Three years ago, I didn’t know anyone here except for two sets of parents and some extended family. I was thrilled about the move, but it still felt good to keep in touch via LinkedIn with some friends, former co-workers, business partners and clients back “home” (what I’ll forever call KC).
• When I realized my Phoenix network stunk. My first year here, I kept busy getting settled into our new home and working with a small handful of clients. Then my mom passed away and that took some of my attention and energy. One day it hit me: I need to know more fellow business owners here! So, I joined a local networking group and spent time on LinkedIn growing my Phoenix-area connections. I reached out to strangers, asking if people could do a call or meet in-person, and the strategy worked. Today, I credit LinkedIn with helping me find some amazing local partners and clients. As a bonus, I was able to explore my new city driving to all those coffee meet-ups. (The metro is huge here!)
• On January 1 of this year. You may know about my year-of-the-pencil resolution, but I also vowed to spend more time on LinkedIn this year. I gave myself a goal of at least 10 minutes on the platform each weekday to grow and strengthen my network. I enjoyed the habit so much that I started using LinkedIn on the weekends, where I was surprised to see so much activity.

I’m such a big fan of LinkedIn these days that I volunteered some training to my business coach, Ilise Benun. She took me up on the offer, and I did a session for one of Ilise’s virtual groups. (Here’s the YouTube recording.) I’m also doing paid work for two business owners who want to get more from LinkedIn. Even with all the LinkedIn love, it irks me some days. I wrote It’s the Facebookification of LinkedIn (All Over Again) and shared it on LinkedIn. It immediately started getting attention and comments — 1,000 views very quickly, now almost 2,200. You might enjoy reading the mixed feedback I received. Seems I touched a nerve with my LinkedIn post.

Where are you on the 1 to 5 LinkedIn-love scale … a 4.5 like me? Does it bother you when people post sweaty selfies on LinkedIn? Shoot me an email to let me know.