LinkedIn: Do’s & Don’ts What you need to know about setting up your profile

Presented by: Doreen Wagner

What is LinkedIn?

Why LinkedIn? 131 million users 50 million in US 170 Industries Most are professionals 66% are decision makers

Do this!Do use a good headshot

One that frames your full face Semi-professional Be sure you are smiling Use same across all social media profiles

Employers will be looking!

Choosing a good headshot

Not good, why? Better, why?

Do this!Create your headline Opportunity to tell your story!

Why you are unique Default headline- company & title

Write your own Use critical keywords Express what you are looking for

Do this!Write a killer summary

In 2,000 character or less Convey

Your strengths Knowledge and experience How you can bring value (to an org) Your professional brand

Use industry-specific keywords Consider using your 30/60 sec. intro Remember to check your spelling

“I want to meet that person.”Summary continued…

Write it to be read Consider using 1st person

As a job seeker Start out with a sentence that outlines the

type of work you are looking Remember…it’s a work in progress

Do this!Specialties

In profile this is directly below your summary Tagging yourself

Think about how others categorize & search for you Make this area keyword dense

What do you specifically specialize in? Use broad terms (online marketing) & specific terms

(Facebook marketing) Be consistent with the keywords & identifiers you

use in other materials Stumped? View other profiles in your industry

Do this!Create a custom URL

A what?!? Basically it’s a website address

Why? Unedited LinkedIn URLs:

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/katie-beilke/12/25b/8b3 Make it easy to be found Increase overall visibility Easier to share how others can find you

Pick a URL that has your name or some derivative of http://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenwagner

Do this!Showcase your recommendations

Recommendations most effective when from past, current supervisors Don’t discount co-workers

recommendations! Need at least 3 for 100% profile

completion When you many, edit them and only post

the ones that represent you the best Recommend others!

Ask! Don’t wait 5 tips for recommendations

Only ask those who can give a real recommendation

Only give when you have something honest to say

Don’t demand or expect reciprocal action Don’t feel pressured to reciprocate Give specific recommendations that speak

to industry professionals, detail one or two skills, attributes, etc.

Do this!Keep your profile public

Allow others to find and connect with you Search engines ranking

This makes the use of keywords even more important

LinkedIn is ranked very high by search engines

Do this!Go whole hog: complete your profile

Sparse profiles decrease your chances of being found

When someone does find you, they have little to go on

Complete At least 10 years of job history

Detail dates, actual names of companies, job descriptions

Be sure to add all education/training Fill in any open blank

Do this!Join groups

Find others that share common interests Stay abreast of industry news People will find you Job opportunities Become an expert by answering

questions Can search within groups & connect with

members

Join groups…continuedGroups to join as a job seeker

College(s) alumni Industry related groups (HR person- join local SHRM) New North Connection

Regional, advice, job postings, local events The Undercover Recruiter

Online job & career guide Networking

DWD- R U Support FVTC- Job Seekers Network

WI Job & Career Network Job postings for WI

Do this!Treat your profile like a website

Make sure it is well formatted & clean Keep it interesting to others Ask to have it reviewed by friends/family Remember that it is never finished (just

like your resume)

Do this!Make page visually interesting

Use symbols (◊) to break up your text Add emphasis to key elements

Not that!Don’t forget who might see your profile!

Write profile for a target audience & when they find it, you’ll have the credibility you need

Don’t misunderstand connections! Consider who you will connect with

Everyone, only those you have met Find a strategy that works best for you

Not that!Don’t send canned invitations

Customize your invite Let them know who & why you want to

connect, where you met Example

“Thanks for meeting with me yesterday. I enjoyed our conversation about social media. You taught me that there will always be someone who knows more than me and that there is no one strategy that works for everyone. Let’s connect on LinkedIn and continue our conversation”

Not that!Don’t use anything in the name field that doesn’t belong as part of your name

Example Paul (pablo_paul@email.com) Pablo Users will not be able to search for you This is in violation of the LinkedIn user

agreement & could possible lead you to loose your account

Not that!Don’t use default settings for websites

Customize the label Don’t use “My website” or “My blog” Tell the user where they are going when

they click on your link

Be Proactive!Gain more visibility

Add connections based on your connection strategy

Connections further the likelihood that you will be found

Write a compelling profile

Be Proactive!Give advice

In groups This shows your knowledge & gives you expert

credibility

Do Research Check out who you are interviewing with

Find common interests, connections Career changer?

View profiles in the field that you want to get into to gain insights, keywords, education

Attract. Convert. Transform.Attract

Create a compelling profile (can I say this enough)

Use groups to connect with others, industry leaders Give advice, post relevant & interesting

content

Attract. Convert. Transform.Convert

Use recommendations to showcase your knowledge & unique qualities

Attract. Convert. Transform.Transform

Leverage your connections Who knows? That stranger could be

looking for you!

Want more info? Check out these references I’m on LinkedIn Now What? by Jason

Alba

The Zen of Social Media Marketing by Shama Hyder Kabani

The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success by Wayne Breithbarth