Mar
12

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The 10 Best Job Search Groups On Linkedin

It is hard to imagine, but Linkedin still has a tremendous amount of growing to do.

In terms of membership, of course. But also in terms of the share of time spent on the site during job search. All those people who have dutifully added their profile and have now begun the arduous task of waiting for people to come find them. Well, of course, there will be some of that. You get your self out there and, yes, people will find you.

My advice? Stop waiting and go find them. They are out there.

The real value of Linkedin, of course, has to do with networking. Specifically in building a strong and accessible network. And, in my opinion, you don’t do that through accepting every possible invitation to connect.

You do it by building relationships.

They can either be created on Linkedin or formalized there through a connection. However, if you read the post regarding my Linkedin policy, you know that I am not a LION (Linkedin Open Networker). I am a self-described LAMB – although I have not decided what the acronym stands for . . . nor do I particularly like the term. But here we are.

So, Linkedin groups may just be the greatest (and often the most under-utilized) tools on Linkedin. If you’ve been on Linkedin for a while, you may have joined a group or two. A college alumni group or a former company alumni group, perhaps?

Well, those are good. But honestly, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of powerful interaction going on there. Especially for those out there cracking the pavement looking for work these days.

A good LInkedin group has a well stated purpose, requires that memberships be approved, includes active members (not just badge collectors and LIONs), has a good ratio of helpful people and has an active owner (keeping things real). Yes, not just everyone out for themselves.

It is also not about quantity. 100 or 10,000 doesn’t much matter. Although, too many discussions and I worry about not being able to keep up!

So, based on that criteria and my own experience with these groups, here are the Top 10 (no particular order) as I see it . . .

1. Indeed.com – A Group for Indeed.com job-seekers and employers. Indeed.com is the leading search engine for jobs. ONE SEARCH. ALL JOBS

2. CPGpeople – A Professional networking group for people with an extensive CPG/Consumer Prod, or FMCG background.

3. Linking the LaidOff – Are you, or someone you know, one of the 1.2 Million Americans who lost their jobs in 2008? If so, please join us in Linking The Laid Off.

4. Helping Friends Career Network (LI2HF) – Welcome to the LinkedIn2 HFCN group — a business and career network of networkers for entrepreneurs, hiring managers, recruiters, and talented professionals worldwide to make meaningful win win win connections!

5. Career Rocketeer – Welcome to Career Rocketeer, a new career advancement networking group where any and all career-seekers and career-changers can post their career objectives and where any and all employers and recruiters can browse and search for available job candidates and/or post their available opportunities.

6. Success Through Networking – The purpose of this Professional Networking Group is to assist members who wish to advance their careers through professional networking. Members assist each other by mentoring, networking and passing on job leads. We are different because we take a proactive approach to networking.

7. Women for Hire - This group is for professionals who support Women For Hire’s mission to help women launch and advance their careers. Members of this group seek the advice and connections of others, and they’re willing to reciprocate with advice and connections as well.

8. TalentBar: HR and Recruiter Network - TalentBar is the premier networking group for the recruiting, staffing, and Human Resources fields, with over 30K recruiters, HR, and recruitment or talent consultants. Connect with alumni and colleagues, or make new friends and connections.

9. Executive Suite – Welcome to the Executive Suite where you can connect with over 100,000 US-based executive and recruiter members. For additional career advice, recruiter connections and job opportunities, please go to www.execunet.com.

10. Tim’s Strategy™ - This group is comprised of active job seekers as well as employed professionals offering tips, advice and strategies for successful job search. Tim’s Strategy is based on a blog and website: Tim’s Strategy – Ideas for Job Search, Career and Life.

Well, you really didn’t think I could leave that last one off, did you?

There are also some great Regional Job Search Groups on Linkedin.

So, now it is your turn. Which groups did I miss? If you are a group owner or have a favorite I’ve not listed, add a comment below, tell me about it and leave a link for others to follow.

Linkedin is an amazing resource. But here’s a little secret.

You have to use it.

NEW: Check out my How To Network In LinkedIn Groups.

Comments

Charles Knight March 12, 2009 @ 1:11 pm

Excellent!
permission to republish, with full attribution, please!
Charles Knight, editor
AltSearchEngines.com
David March 12, 2009 @ 4:33 pm

About.com choose 3 websites where job seekers got the best results -
http://www.linkedin.com (networking for professionals)
http://www.indeed.com (aggregated listings)
http://www.realmatch.com (matches you to the perfect job)
For those looking, good luck!
Val March 12, 2009 @ 8:18 pm

Ditto:
Would like to add to our http://www.nojobjitters.com website.
Val
Tim Tyrell-Smith March 12, 2009 @ 11:11 pm

@Charles – No problem!
@David, @Val – Thanks for adding your suggestions!
Glen Loock March 13, 2009 @ 7:52 am

Great post. I was looking for groups to join and this will help! Thanks
Would add USAJOB.com Government job postings
Chris Miller March 13, 2009 @ 3:25 pm

Great summary. Other groups to consider are the alumni of companies – I think most CPG companies have them; YUM Brands and LeapFrog do; Young & Rubicam has one for current and former
Lisa March 16, 2009 @ 11:01 am

Your blogs are very helpful. Thanks Tim
Tim Tyrell-Smith March 16, 2009 @ 8:06 pm

Thanks Lisa. Glad you find it helpful!
Charlotte Christou March 18, 2009 @ 7:08 am

This is a great list of very targeted groups for the job seekers, and you’ve done a lot of the foot work for someone like me (recently lost my job). I’ve added most of them to my groups in LinkedIn. Many thanks!
Tim Tyrell-Smith March 18, 2009 @ 7:13 am

Hi Charlotte!
Great! Good luck in your search! Glad it helped . . .
Bernie Warren March 18, 2009 @ 12:27 pm

Tim – great recommondations! I will follow them having been laid off and looking for almost 6 months…woe is me! Thanks again!
Tim Tyrell-Smith March 18, 2009 @ 11:55 pm

Hi Bernie -
Glad they were helpful. Keep charging forward!
Tim
Logan March 19, 2009 @ 11:35 am

May have been mentioned before, but another way to be “in the know” on openings is to join groups that are related to your background. Many people (no necessarily the recruiter or HR) may “post” or mention a job through this method and put it out there for the group.
Tim Tyrell-Smith March 19, 2009 @ 9:30 pm

Good suggestion. Sounds like it could work . . . Thanks!
Jennifer Massie April 8, 2009 @ 10:27 am

Tim,
Once again, I love your post. You have some really excellent advice for a non-recruiter!
I have a LinkedIn group called “Clean/Green Opportunity” and it is for employers and job seekers interested in the clean green sector.
Thanks!
Jenn
Tim Tyrell-Smith April 9, 2009 @ 9:32 am

Hi Jenn – Already have recommended your group to a job seeker. Good one!
Ann July 10, 2009 @ 3:13 am

You saved my time on checking this great list on LinkedIn. I was looking out for Construction, Architecture, Engineering and Manufacturing groups on LinkedIn. Thanks for being so thoughtful in sharing the list over here.
Tim Tyrell-Smith July 11, 2009 @ 10:48 pm

Hi Ann – Glad to hear this post helped you! Happy to share!

The 10 Best Job Search Groups On Linkedin

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