LinkedIn and Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers on “Putting America back to Work”

This winter, LinkedIn is teaming up with Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers for a joint effort called, “Putting America Back to Work.” Twelve companies (from 1-800-FLOWERS to Warner Brothers) have already joined LinkedIn and Lifechangers to offer close to 300 jobs to professionals who live in the Los Angeles / Southern California area.

The companies will scour the applicants’ resumes in search of viable candidates to fill their vacant positions. Employers will contact job seekers to conduct pre-interviews (and in some cases, run reference checks) with the goal of setting up face-to -face interviews, which will take place in Los Angeles on November 30th.

LinkedIn will be at the event on November 30th doing free profile makeovers for professionals that make it to the interview round. The goal is to have job seekers start their new positions in January 2012.

Some of the jobs include work from home opportunities that residents outside of the state of California can apply for as well.

If you are a job seeker based in the Los Angeles area, submit your resume here between now and November 23rd to apply for one of the positions we have listed and to participate in the show taping. (For most positions you must be available in person for interviews in Los Angeles on November 30th and December 20th.)

Tips on increasing your chances of being “found”

There were nearly two billion people searches on LinkedIn in 2010. Based on third quarter 2011 metrics, LinkedIn members are on pace to do more than four billion searches on the LinkedIn platform in 2011. I’ll be on the show chatting with Dr. Drew to discuss what you can do to increase your chances of being “found” online for relevant job opportunities. Here are just a few helpful tips:

  • Make sure your LinkedIn Profile is filled out and complete. You are twelve times more likely to be viewed for potential opportunities if you have more than one position listed on your LinkedIn Profile.
  • Add a photo. Professionals that add a photo are seven times more likely to have their LinkedIn Profile viewed in general than people who don’t have a photo.
  • Get connected. Fifty trusted contacts is the “magic” number of connections you need in order to get your LinkedIn network to work for you. In a tough economy, having a personal connection to a client or company can help you differentiate yourself from the competition.
  • Be proactive. There are over two million LinkedIn Company Pages. You can search for companies like Condé Nast or Estée Lauder and see if anyone in your network knows people that work at that dream employer or coveted future client company.
  • It’s okay to be a groupie. Join industry groups on LinkedIn as well as your college alumni group and other groups that are of interest to you (like Students and Recent Grads or Moms on the Job).
  • There are no dumb questions. Ask questions on LinkedIn Answers (like, “How can I break into the fashion industry?”) that other professionals can give you advice on. Being active on LinkedIn Answers will enable you to meet new professionals and help you expand your network.

Feel free to spread the word/share this link with people in your networks who may be looking for a job this holiday season!