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Showing posts with label professional network. Show all posts
Showing posts with label professional network. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

How To Make LinkedIn Work For You


LinkedIn is among the most popular professional social network globally and I am sure you too have your published profile on LinkedIn. Well, in case you don’t have it, this is just the right time to have your LinkedIn profile; more so if you are always keen to connect with more and more people from your field of work. (image source: LinkedIn)

Ok, this is not a step-by-step guide to setting up a LinkedIn profile. This is more about tips and suggestions that will help anybody make the best use of LinkedIn for what it is actually supposed to do – the professional networking and helping you stand out or get positively noticed in your professional world.  

So, here we go:

1.       Have a complete profile.
Well, it’s not really difficult - we just need to follow the instructions and provide the data required for the profile to be complete. Ok, agreed that it can be tiring and boring as well if you have a lot to write about but then, it is Your Profile, so just do it!

2.       Have a professional profile pic.
This simply means that you put up a smart picture of yours preferably taken in your professional setting. You want to catch the eye of people in your profession and for the right reasons. Please remember, LinkedIn is not a dating site, nor a friendship platform!

3.       Ensure that your profile is concise, precise, and attractive to read.
The simple way to create an attractive profile is to keep it simple!
Ø  Use simple language all through your profile
Ø  Give a precise overview of what you do
Ø  Try avoiding giving out each & every detail of your work
       You will come across many a profile where people have almost published a work report that is best suited for appraisal meetings. Personally, I feel it is best to talk just enough to get people interested in my work…..not more.

4.       Have a One-Line resume as the Headline of your Profile.
There can be no better way to attract the right kind of attention and plenty of attention than to have a profile headline that lets people know what you do or what you are.


5.       Put your best foot forward.
A very good thing about LinkedIn is that it allows you to move the different sections of your profile up and down as per your liking. This feature allows you to place/highlight the best portion of your profile in the top section so as to gain maximum visibility.

For example: if you have received awards, organizational/industry-level recognitions, or have been felicitated, you can put them under the ‘Honors and Awards’ section and place the section up ahead. The way to do this is to click ‘edit profile’ at the top and then click and hold on the top bar of the section to move it and release it wherever you want that section to be.

6.       Be an active member of the groups that you join.
Being an active member of the groups help enhance credibility along with establishing your reputation as an expert in your professional field. Answer questions raised in the group forums, put up meaningful questions in forums, participate in polls, and give your comments and advice wherever applicable.

In addition to all these, make sure you keep updating your info, keep connecting with people through various groups….in short, keep networking!

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