This article is the fourth of six in a series dedicated to job search strategies and career management tools.
By Lise Stransky
Senior Associate, Employment Initiatives CAPPA
“Yes, I have a LinkedIn account, but my profile isn’t complete”.
“I keep getting invitations, but I never really do anything else with it”.
“I know I need to be on it, but don’t really have time. Don’t tell me just ‘five minutes a day’.”
“Okay Lise, I’m on it, but I don’t really use it”.
These are comments I hear on a regular basis from clients that I work with. Can you relate to any of them?
I know I can. I created my profile back in 2007 after receiving an invite from a colleague. (Interesting fact – LinkedIn has been around since 2003). When I signed up for it, I treated LinkedIn like my rolodex. I viewed it as an excellent way to keep track of my network and my contacts. I really had no idea about the purpose and power of LinkedIn until I finished my profile in 2011. Now, I check it a few minutes every day, and make sure I interact with my network by posting updates, commenting on articles, sharing, liking, and connecting with individuals in my industry.
LinkedIn is not just for people in job search mode. It is the leading professional social network, primarily centred on careers, with over 330 million users around the world. It enables professionals to connect and share content with other professionals. Why should YOU be on LinkedIn?
- Manage your professional profile, PERSONAL brand and reputation
- Networking: Know who your network knows
- Publish content
- Access to experts
- Stay in the loop
- Get found and find
- Online resume and more
- Social proof for your skills and talent via recommendations and endorsements
- Constant reminder to your connections about your presence
This week tip focuses on three easy things you can do to take your LinkedIn interaction to the next level.
- Complete your profile with keywords
- Join Groups, Follow companies
- Like, Share, Comment and Post content
That’s it. The more you interact with this online social networking site, the more you will be more visible, grow your network and learn from other professionals. Professional online networking has a “you get what you give” mentality. To simply create you profile and leave it means you are missing out on managing your career and professional presence online.
