LinkedIn has been offering professionals the opportunity to create their own network since 2003. Today, more than 100 million members have published profiles, belong to groups, recommend each other, keep in touch with former colleagues, recruit employees and look for work using their LinkedIn networks. Knowing how to use LinkedIn features and optimize your profile will help you get the most benefit from this community.
Steps
Step 1. Sign up for LinkedIn at
Step 2. Create your profile
- The LinkedIn profile wizard will guide you in entering your region, your industry, your company and your current job title.
- You will also be asked if you are an employee or an entrepreneur, if you are looking for a job, if you work independently or if you are a student.
- This information completes your basic profile.
Step 3. Add connections
- You will be prompted to search for e-mail links, which are usually done by giving LinkedIn access to your contacts in the address book. You can use this feature to see who, among your email connections, already has a LinkedIn account and to invite them to join your professional network.
- You can choose to skip this step if you prefer to add connections individually.
Step 4. Confirm the email account you used to create your profile via the link provided
Step 5. Log in with your confirmed email address and build your profile
- Write a short summary or title explaining in a few sentences who you are professionally. This title should give an idea of your most relevant professional attributes.
- Enter your previous employment details and education information.
Step 6. Upload a profile photo
- Choose an illustration that represents your professional image. This can be a traditional close-up, an image of you in the workplace or a copy of your logo.
- Use a sharp, rectangular image, vertically.
Step 7. Add features to your profile
Include specific skills or specialties, such as veterinary dentistry or political communication, that make it easier for other users to find you
Step 8. Add your website or company website and Twitter or blog information
The more ways there are for people to find and access information about you, the more valuable your LinkedIn profile will be
Step 9. Invite those LinkedIn suggested links based on your occupation and education
- LinkedIn allows you to ask for links for recommendations and put them on your profile. You will see the recommendations and approve the comments. This feature reinforces the information in your summary and specialization sections. Potential employers and clients will be able to see these recommendations by visiting your profile, as well as the links of those who have recommended you.
- Look for recommendations from clients, previous supervisors, and others who can give testimony about the skills you want to highlight.
Step 10. Ask for introductions
If you browse the links of one of your connections, you can invite them to become your connections as well. You can also ask your connections to introduce you, by sending your profile and a note to someone in their networks
Step 11. Join and join LinkedIn groups
You can increase your visibility and your network by initiating and contributing to discussions. Local groups will inform you about network activities and events
Step 12. Maintain and update your profile on a regular basis
- This is your most visible professional profile. It will usually rank up at the top of the results on your name in the search engines.
- All your information should be up to date and occasional updates should be added in the space provided.
- Members of your LinkedIn network will be notified when you update your profile or add a new contact.
Step 13. Continue building your network on a regular basis, adding new connections with a personal invitation note
Step 14. Stay in touch with your connections
Respond to their updates by sending congratulatory notes on a new position or success.
Advice
- LinkedIn reports that users with full profiles (photos, resumes, particularities and recommendations) are 40 times more likely to get job opportunities through the network.
- Write your LinkedIn profile, previous job description and any particularities using those keywords that potential employers or clients would be likely to use in a search.
- The basic LinkedIn membership is free. Additional levels with more functionality, such as advanced profiles, are available if you wish to upgrade.
Warnings
- Avoid bothering connections with constant updates that aren't useful or relevant. This will make you annoying, rather than making you think of yourself as a positive factor for LinkedIn connections.
- Select your connections carefully. The links will be able to see who is on the network and this will have an implicit approval from that person. Plus, you'll dilute the network if you add people indiscriminately, just to build a large list.
- Contain your professional profile information. Use other social media for hobbies, family updates, political discussions, and other personal uses.
