Jun 09
19
Tips for professionals using LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional networking site that consists of 10 million professionals who network with colleagues, seek employment opportunities, hire staff, network with other like minded individuals, potential business partners and potential employees.
LinkedIn is essentially an online Resume that is easily updated and available instantly to potentially the whole world.
Some people question the usefulness of LinkedIn if they already have a job or already own a business. The main advantages are networking, showing that you are authoritive on a topis, employment and business opportunities, learning up to date information about your industry and assisting you to be in the minds of people when opportunities arise.
We have compiled some basic tips to either get started with LinkedIn or to revive and promote your account.
1. Use your LinkedIn address in your email signature, business cards, web site and wehre ever else is applicable.
2. Complete all of your details. If possible update the same day your career or skill set changes.
3. Seek references where possible.
4. Add your photo to your profile.
5. Join groups that are related to your industry or that you can share your skills with. If information or answers in groups is of value to you, you can view the authors profile and consider networking with that person or adding them to your contacts list of experts.
6. Starting your own discussion in a group is a quick and easy way to raise your profile. Ensure your question is thought provoking and not an question that the answer is commonly known or easily found.
7. Subscribe via RSS to profile updates, groups and questions you have posted.
8. Update your status message regularly with professional information. Keep it different than your FaceBook status message.
9. After meetings or conferences, search for the names of your new colleagues and add them to your network. It is important to do this at the early stages of your relationship to better grow confidence and trust.
10. Add Your Blog via the LinkedIn widget. Wether it is your professional or personal blog. This will give insight into who you are and further more into your skill set.
11. Seek Employment consultants in your area and network with them.
12. Dedicate a few minutes each day to reading about changes in your network and look for opportunities to netwrok.
Karaitiana Taiuru
http://www.linkedin.com/in/ktaiuru