Leveraging LinkedIn: Building a Profile and Getting Connections
Your Reputation Precedes You…NetClarify Can Help!
LinkedIn can be a powerful tool for networking and building a professional online appearance. In this two part blog I am going to provide you a roadmap for effectively leveraging LinkedIn in your career development.
Creating a Profile
The first step to employing LinkedIn as a useful career development tool it to ensure your profile is up to snuff. Your LinkedIn profile should be completed with as much detail as your resume has. Include all specifics about your academic, extracurricular, and professional experiences. This may prove to be a tedious task of refining this from your resume if LinkedIn does not perfectly parse your uploaded resume, but the potential payoffs are worth the effort.
As you fill in this information, use the same active voice verbs that you use to describe your accomplishments in your resume. Be mindful of the of the completion bar located at the right of your profile. This will let you know what information you are currently lacking. Always be sure to connect to professional blogs or websites you hold as this will add to the depth of your information.
Choosing a Photo
In your photo, you should be in formal business attire and the picture should be high resolution of you in a dignified pose. Think of your LinkedIn profile as your first impression with potential employers or individuals who you want to network with. The same photos you post to Facebook will probably not be applicable here.
Selecting Connections
Once you have a complete and professional LinkedIn profile the next step is to use it properly. You may decide it is easiest to connect with people in this order:
- People you currently go to school or work with
- People you recently went to school or worked with
- Close family and friends
- People in shared groups (don’t forget that joining groups is a huge part of effectively using LinkedIn)
- Connections of connections
Once you have set up your other connections, you are ready to target those who you think will help you get the job. For instance, after meeting a recruiter or HR representative you should search LinkedIn and determine whether he or she has a profile. If you find a profile, the best time to connect is as soon as you meet someone. You can write a personalized note to remind them who you are as you are connecting. Using this method will help you build connections that will allow you to use LinkedIn as your own digital rolodex.
Updating Your Profile
Maintaining and updating your LinkedIn profile is extremely important, and you should update your accomplishments in real time. Potential employers or connections can tell when you have just signed on to LinkedIn and updated everything because LinkedIn will send your updates out on a “news feed.” Being involved on LinkedIn will help keep your name in front of your connections, but only using it when you need something from someone is not the most effective way to stay in touch.
Part two of this blog will discuss the importance of obtaining recommendations and the best methods of doing so. Using the tips to develop and maintain your profile and network on LinkedIn will make obtaining valuable recommendations that much easier.
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This blog covers all things reputation, career and education. We accept guest posts and are happy to write posts based on reader-suggested topics.
2012-11-28 18:00:07
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