I'm a big fan of LinkedIn as a way to conduct a job search. It's great whether you're seeking a job in your existing industry and/or function, or making a big change.

LinkedIn has just added a new resource, corporate profiles, according to SF Chronicle staff writer Ellen Lee. Currently, over 160,000 employers are profiled, meaning you can get access to some interesting company insider scoops, like these (remember, these relate only to employees who are registered on LinkedIn, so the statistics are skewed):

* Yahoo employees tend to land at rival Google for their next job.
* The median age for Facebook employees is 27.
* Hewlett-Packard draws as many graduates from Bangalore University in India as it does from San Jose State and Stanford.

How can you use this type of information in your job search?

(1) If you're considering applying to a particular company, look and see where their employees tend to go next. That information can suggest a number of things. You might see this information as a list of other potential employers to consider in your job search. Or, you could see if those employees wind up at companies you like -- or dislike. That can be an indication of your potential fit at the company you're considering. Look in the section under "Related Companies" and then check "XYZemployees are most connected to..." to find this scoop.

(2) As you look at the median age of employees, you can get a sense of whether you'd like to work there. If you're a hard-core Gen X'er, you would probably have a tough time feeling at home at Facebook, but might feel more at home at AARP, where the median age of LinkedIn users is a whopping 36!

(3) If you need to do your "due diligence" on a company, LinkedIn has added a nice feature that allows you to access a BusinessWeek profile, like this one on Facebook. Nice for doing some last-minute homework that helps you ask incisive, informed questions when networking or during interviews.

(4) Want a personal insider scoop on a company? Email one of their New Hires, a feature of the new LinkedIn Company Profile, and ask for 10-15 minutes to chat by phone. Newly hired employees, while often busy, are just getting a sense of the corporate culture, and often have fresh insights that can help you. Do remember, though, that they've just joined and invested a big bet on liking the company, so they are unlikely to feed you much, if any, negative "dirt." Be judicious about contacting people "blindly" this way, and don't abuse rank...if you're a total newbie to an industry or function, don't ask for an informational interview with someone much more senior than you. It's bad form. Find someone closer to your level of experience -- and if you have something of value to share with them, you can be opening up a long-term networking relationship.

(5) If you know the type of function or the area of a company you want to work in, see if any names pop up in Recent Changes and Promotions or Popular Profiles as people you might like to contact. Then, consider the story you want to share with them...look at their profile and see what you have in common. If you're seeking a job, don't just say, "I want a job at your company." No, no, no, no, no! Major faux pas! Makes you sound like a beggar. Instead, say something like, "I've been doing A, B, and C, and I see that we both worked at/did/enjoy/attended C. I'm considering your company as a potential next move. I'd love to schedule 10-15 minutes to talk with you about what's happening in your group/division/area. When might we do that?" And, yes, you need to have some intelligent questions to ask when you actually do talk.

BTW, you'll only see people in your network...this is why it's always a good idea to keep building your LinkedIn network.

So, while I'm not job searching now (just busy running the Job Search Gym), I "pretended" I was seeking a job there. Heck, if I was looking for a job, they seem like a great place to be! I've collected some interesting factoids I learned, from surfing from my own profile into my LinkedIn connections:

* I'm currently connected to 288 people within LinkedIn. Wow! For a company between 201 and 500 employees, I know more than half! Ah, let me once again tout the value of asking your clients, colleagues, and former classmates to join your network. (I discourage you from inviting people you don't know, haven't met, or only know superficially, into in your LinkedIn network, as it makes it harder to make credible introductions).
* I didn't know that many LinkedIn folks are connected to people at Grassroots Enterprise. That's a new company to me, and I could quickly click and learn that they design and develop database management software for politics, fundraising, and issue awareness organizations. Cool. Maybe I'll need them one day.
* I discovered that at least 47 LinkedIn employees are in the Greater Omaha Area. Oh, boy, that makes me feel sorry for those subjected to what I call "eternal winter!" (Sorry, but I grew up in the desert, and even the Bay Area feels like a frigid zone).
* I also discovered that I'm only one degree of separation from Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn's Chairman & President, Products. The Company Profile let me know that instantly. I knew a teeny bit about Reid from things I'd read before, but getting to peruse his profile added to my intrigue...like that he's connected with Kiva.org and is on the Provost's Council for College 8 at UC Santa Cruz. What a connected guy!

So, how about you? What do YOU think of LInkedIn's new company profile feature? How are you using LinkedIn in YOUR job search?

Susan

Susan Bernstein, MBA MA
Job Search Coach & Founder
The Job Search Gym
www.JobSearchGym.com