Linked by Omar Garriott & Jeremy Schifeling Summary

Linked by Omar Garriott and Jeremy Schifeling is a career guide offering insider strategies to master LinkedIn for job searching, networking, and personal branding. It reveals how to optimize profiles, leverage algorithms, and navigate Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to attract recruiters. The book combines tactical advice—like crafting keyword-rich summaries—with broader insights on building a professional network that drives career growth.

Job seekers, career changers, and professionals aiming to enhance their LinkedIn presence will benefit most. It’s ideal for recent graduates, mid-career transitions, or executives refining their digital brand. The book also aids recruiters and MBA students seeking to understand modern hiring dynamics.

Yes. Despite LinkedIn’s evolving features, Linked remains relevant for its foundational strategies: optimizing profiles for ATS, tapping into hidden job markets via referrals, and building thought leadership. Endorsed by Harvard and Berkeley experts, it’s a practical toolkit for navigating competitive job landscapes.

The book emphasizes keyword optimization, professional storytelling, and visual branding. It advises using industry-specific terms in headlines and summaries, adding multimedia to showcase work, and aligning profiles with employer search behaviors. Garriott also explains how to avoid common pitfalls, like generic phrasing.

Linked teaches readers to turn weak ties into referrals by engaging with target companies’ content and using LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” features discreetly. It highlights “warm outreach” techniques, such as personalized connection requests and strategic endorsements to build reciprocity.

Garriott stresses consistent messaging across profiles, posts, and interactions. The book guides readers in publishing thought leadership articles, participating in niche groups, and curating a feed that reflects career goals. This establishes credibility and attracts aligned opportunities.

The authors outline “precision job hunting,” focusing on roles matching core skills rather than broad applications. They detail how to use LinkedIn’s job alerts, analyze hiring trends via Company Pages, and decode job descriptions to tailor applications.

For career changers, the book advises rebranding profiles to highlight transferable skills, using LinkedIn Learning to fill skill gaps, and connecting with alumni in target industries. Case studies show how to frame non-linear career paths as assets.

“Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice.” —William Jennings Bryan. This quote underscores the book’s thesis: proactive networking and profile optimization trump passive job searching.

Unlike generic advice, Linked delves into LinkedIn’s mechanics, offering data-driven tactics for beating ATS and algorithmic visibility. It’s more platform-specific than Atomic Habits but complements broader career frameworks like Designing Your Life.

Some argue it overemphasizes LinkedIn’s role in hiring, neglecting offline networking. Others note rapid platform changes may date certain tips, though core principles (e.g., keyword optimization) remain viable.

With LinkedIn hosting 1 billion users and 75% of hires involving social media, Linked’s strategies for algorithmic visibility and remote job hunting remain critical. Updated editions address AI-driven recruitment tools, ensuring ongoing applicability.