Job postings on large recruiting sites often generate hundreds of applications from unqualified candidates. This volume can be overwhelming for recruiters and wastes time. An alternative is professional networking sites such as Linkedln. In a blog post, Heathfield identified a number of specific ways that businesses can use Linkedln to increase the effectiveness of their recruiting: Identify potential candidates among your existing network of professionals. Ask your network to identify or recommend candidates for a position. Evaluate potential employees on the basis of references and referrals from your existing network. Actively search for candidates among Linkedln users using keywords or qualifications from their profiles. For a fee, you can post job openings on Linkedln. Use In mail (the internal Linkedln e-mail system) to contact potentially qualified individuals. It is clear that recruiters have come to embrace Linkedln as an effective and cost-efficient way of generating qualified candidates. As Linkedn's global presence grows, this will provide an important benefit to companies that need to fill positions internationally. A Why have HR departments turned to professional networking sites? B Why is it so essential for career-minded workers to build a professional social network? What can this network do for you?