How to Install And Use The LinkedIn Outlook Toolbar

To make the most of a professional networking Web site like LinkedIn, use the tools the service provides. The Outlook Toolbar is an excellent way to have full-time access to your LinkedIn contacts and information even when you are not on the LinkedIn Web site.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• Outlook 2000 SR-3, Outlook 2002/XP or Outlook 2003
• LinkedIn account

Log on to Your LinkedIn Account

1. Visit the LinkedIn home page to log on to your account (see Resources below). You will need to enter your email address and password and hit the "Sign In" button to proceed.

2. Select the "Download Tools" link from your account's home page to install the Outlook Toolbar.

Download the Outlook Toolbar

1. Find the box that says "Outlook Toolbar." You may click on the 'Learn More' button to find more information on the features of this toolbar before you install.

2. Hit the "Download It Now" button to install the Outlook Toolbar.

3. Run the installation software to install the Outlook Toolbar. Your Outlook software will be automatically rebooted with the new toolbar when installation is complete.

4. Click on the "Start" button in the "LinkedIn Desktop Tools" welcome page to begin using the Outlook Toolbar.

Use the LinkedIn Outlook Toolbar Features

1. Build contacts with the Outlook Toolbar. Choose where you would like to draw contact information from, using either or both your Outlook emails and your LinkedIn contacts.

2. Invite contacts created through the Outlook Toolbar to join your LinkedIn network to expand your job search and networking connections.

3. Maintain up-to-date contact information for people in your LinkedIn network through automatic notifications when your contacts change their information.

4. Learn more about the people in your network through their mini-profiles. The people you email from your network of LinkedIn contacts will have mini-profiles that detail their business and job information.

5. Access LinkedIn with one click from Outlook with the Outlook Toolbar.

Tips & Warnings

• Find out the version of Outlook you are using by clicking on the "Help" link and then selecting the "About Microsoft Office Outlook" link from the drop-down menu. You will find the version number or year included in the information in the pop-up window.

• Periodically check the LinkedIn privacy policy page to see if changes or updates have been made (see Resources below). Continuing to use LinkedIn after a change has been posted indicates your acceptance of the changes.