LinkedIn is a powerful social networking site that can help you build and maintain your professional network. This LinkedIn how to guide will show you how to set up your LinkedIn profile, build your network by finding connections and making contacts, find and join LinkedIn groups, and search for and find business and job opportunity leads.
LinkedIn is arguably the most professional and business-oriented of the popular social media sites, but it's not just for job seekers or for making connections.LinkedIn can help you get things done and be more productive!
Make a great first impression with your LinkedIn Profile
Set up your LinkedIn Profile to represent you as professionally as possible
After you create your LinkedIn account, the first thing you need to focus on is completing your LinkedIn Profile. The profile completeness gauge on the right hand side of your LinkedIn Profile page shows you how far along in the process you are. In order for your LinkedIn Profile to be 100% complete, your profile needs:
# Current Position
# At least two previous positions
# Education
# Profile summary
# Profile photo
# Specialties
# At least three recommendations
Create Your Brand
Use your LinkedIn Profile to brand yourself
Your LinkedIn Profile is one of the best ways to create and project your personal brand. First, start with your photo.
1. Upload Your LinkedIn Profile Photo
Your LinkedIn Photo is the first thing any visitor's eye will be drawn to. Based on your photo, they will unconsciously and immediately form an impression of you. Above all, your photo should be professional. If you would like to display your personality in your photo, you may do so through your facial expression and pose - but keep the photo professional.
2. Create Your Headline
After your photo, the next most important item in your personal LinkedIn brand is your headline. Your headline is what everyone will see next to your photo and your name when you show up in search results or connection suggestions. You want it to be brief, and to tell viewers what you do or what you want to do.
Keep it specific! Don't just say Mechanical Engineer or Consultant. Think business card. Your LinkedIn headline is the equivalent of a personal tagline you might use on your business card.
3. Fill In Your Summary and Specialties
Your Summary on LinkedIn should be very similar to the summary on your resume. It should be 5 to 10 bullets or statements (yes, you can use paragraph format if you prefer) highlighting your key capabilities. These should all be items that you cover in your personal 30 second introduction. It's what people read after your headline and before they move down to your experience.
Your Specialties should be specific skills that set you apart. This is where you can list certifications and credentials, as well as specific subject matter areas of expertise. Your Specialties must be filled out for your profile to be considered complete.
