1. Self Assessment and Research - Google yourself first! What shows up?

Now compare that to what

are you looking for? What skills do you have? What skills do you need to improve to move up or onto
something new? What is your dream job/company and how does it match with what you have to offer?

2. Create your value proposition or branding statement. This will be the basis for your resume, cover
letter, and all online profiles... What value and unique skills do you bring to a company. Who is the
audience? What problems do you solve? How do you do it uniquely?

3. Create a target list of companies - if you don't know where to start use the 2 Hour Job Search by
Steve Dalton. The LAMP list process is great!

4. Create a target list of connections or contacts within your network - look to reach out to those that
will be immediately useful and target some new connections to have informational interviews with. Use
your whole network, friends, family, co-workers etc...Facebook Graph Search can be a great way to find
connections that are not always apparent on LinkedIn.

5. Take care of the basics - Update your resume (with quantifiers and qualifiers) and practice writing a
cover letter using your new value proposition as the basis of what you are trying to convey,

6. Complete LinkedIn Profile - Make sure that you fill out your whole LinkedIn profile. Include a
summary, think of this space as an extended elevator pitch, under 300 words, use this to talk about
what you bring to the table.

7. Join 30 to 40 groups in LinkedIn and pick 2 or 3 to be active in, this will allow you to expand your
network and make new connections while keeping up to date with what is going on in the industry you
are most involved in.

8. Manage Your LinkedIn Skills Endorsements - You can change the order of these and remove those
that don't fit where you want to go. Take a look at the list of skills of those within LinkedIn have listed
for your dream company or job. Use the Find Alumni Tool for this (at the top of your account hover over
"Connections" and click "Find Alumni" in the dropdown).
9. Reach Out For LinkedIn Recommendations - Try and get 3 recommendations and give at least 1
recommendation. This shows how others perceive your skills and abilities. By giving a recommendation
you show that you can identify talent.

10. Make your connections as personalized as possible through any and all methods of communication
and don't forget thank you notes after meeting with someone whether it is online or in person -
Connecting online is still a very personal thing. With all of the technology that we have we still need to
connect on a personal level. Don't just click connect on LinkedIn, instead make sure that you reach out
with why you are connecting, how you can help that person, and how they may be able to help you
(Don't ask for a job!).