Most people seem to have one, but few seem to know how to actually
USE it.
For the sake of this conversation, we are making a few basic assumptions about you:
We are assuming that you have filled out the basic skeleton of your profile:
Education
Experience
...assuming you’ve filled out the basic like...
Maybe you’ve even picked your top skills?
once…? like, a long time ago?
We are assuming you have connected with some people...
...And that perhaps you are getting a gazillion requests to connect - and wondering who to add and why?
AND we are assuming that though you have a basic profile up, you aren’t necessarily using it to its full potential.
So, ...you’ve got a profile, you’ve got some connections,
Now What?!?
Well that’s why you are here!
...to learn how to actually USE and UTILIZE LinkedIn for Professional Growth and Connectivity.
We are going to cover this fast and furious.
Because really you just need to try it yourself to see all the possibilities!
Don’t worry, the information will all be right here for you to look back at!
First let’s take a quick look at WHO is using it:
the STATS4 million members.
2 new members every second.
Now let’s talk about HOWwith some actual, practical steps to take...
Step 1 - Beefing up your profile.
Summary Customized URL
Let’s start with a few foundational profile enhancements:
PhotoHeadline summary customized urlPhoto
#1 Photo. A Good one. Seriously.
#2 A Rockstar Headline
Clever AND CATCHY -OR-Clear and Straightforward
Use Keywords for your industry
What do you do and what makes you different?
#3 The summary. Tell a little of your story.
*Use keywords for your industry.
*Make it related to your reason for using LinkedIn.
*Sell your Personal Brand.william arruda has a great detailed article on
how to write one on slidehsare here!
Now on top of the basic profile skeleton you already have, go back and add some meat and potatoes:
Your Community Involvement
● Causes You Care About● Board Memberships● Supporting Organizations● Volunteerism
Examples of Your Work● Projects● Certifications ● Conferences & Presentations● ADD MEDIA: Documents, Photos, Links, Videos, Presentations
Don’t have any? Wish you did?
Here’s where the professional development piece comes in!
Take a look at where you feel you are lacking. Set goals for adding more depth in those areas.Then go out and get it!
Part 2 - The Supporting Evidence
Skills & Expertise Recommendations
This is where you can gain some credibility.
Where others can verify what you say you’re good at.
You control the order. Take charge of your top 10!
Re-order, adapt and change them as you do!
Ask for endorsements
Or at least make your settings so that the system asks for them.
Ask for recommendations
Give Recommendations
The nice part is, you ask for recommendations by position, so you are only for a comment on how you did in that particular role.
Another Professional Development moment... Don’t have references on your profile now?Take the time to reconnect with long lost colleagues and co-workers and friends! Start by writing THEM references!
Plus, who doesn’t love a good dose of positive feedback?
Why should I connect with someone?
Who should I connect with? and Who not?
Truth is, it depends...
So let's talk about it!
Connect to create Layers of Connectivity for you and your contacts.
Connections make the world smaller and bring people together.
Connections improve your profile ranking.
Algorithms. Something about complex algorithms makes it all happen. See LinkedIn for more details on that!
The reality is our world is based on a RELATIONSHIP ECONOMY.
Do others think of YOU when they need an expert in your field?
Connect with others from Alma Mater
Connect with professionals in your industry
Connect with (and follow!) the type of people you aspire to become.
ACTIVELY Join Groups
or find a unique niche and start one!
Groups in your Community
Groups in your industry Post, write, engage, comment and stay active.
Get to know the group administrator and ask if you can help!
Part 4 - The Toolkit● follow the Pulse● post on SlideShare● Learn on Lynda● use the Apps● check out the Extras
Tools only work if you use them!
Post. write. share. connect.
Share insights Demonstrate your writing skills
Connect with others in your industry
Share the work you are doing
Slideshare.
Share presentations you have created
Watch others’ presentations
Learn, grow, connect
Challenge yourself to create & share!
Clips slides you like
Watch on your mobile device with the app
Like and share!
Lynda Enhance your skill set
Continue to learn and grow!
Lynda offers a free year of learning for Veterans!
Get the Apps. There are all sorts of them! Lookup
Check on the Innovative Programs Like:
YOUniversitywhoah….OH! the possibilities!
University Rankings and Choosing a School:
For example, here’s how we found the top universities for Software Developers:1. First, we identified the top companies where Software
Developers are choosing to work.2. Next, we found people on LinkedIn who work as Software
Developers and saw where they went to university.3. Finally, for each university, we found the percentage of
these alumni who’ve landed Software Development jobs at these top companies, then compared the percentages to come up with the list.
You don’t have to do this all at once.
Set small goals. Use a new tool daily.
Every day there seems to be something new, so keep active and keep learning.
Well, Let's recap. Here are some ACTION steps you can take:
#1. Beef up your profile.
● Master the foundational four ● Add in your community
involvement and accomplishments.
● Share examples of presentations, materials you’ve created and work you’re proud of.
● Gut check: Get more experience where you feel like you don't have enough to say.
#2. Gain credibility through Endorsements and
Recommendations. ● Ask for endorsements and
references. ● Reconnect with long lost work
friends. ● Take control of your skills section
by ordering them to show where you shine.
#3. Build layers of connectivity
● Consider your personal Relationship Economy
● Connect with individuals according to your own goals.
● Connect in groups in your industry ● Connect in groups in your
community. ● Connect with your alma matter
and alumni
4. Use the tools● Continue to add skills & experience and depth
to your own personal profile. ● Follow the pulse and post● learn more skills through lynda● Add the apps ● Keep active and keep learning.check out the
new features and insights added all the time!
● Make yourself a weekly or monthly appointment with LinkedIn.
● Meet with a colleague or friend to work on profiles together - write each others summary sections!
● Trade your mindless Facebook feed following for mindful LinkedIn Pulse learning.
● Check back often. Keep learning and keep connecting. ● ACTIVELY join the “Duluth/Superior LI Learning”
So what are you waiting for?Next step is getting started! !
Connect with us for more information!
The College of St. Scholastica
Career Services is HERE on Linkedin
Andrea Chartier Career Counselor, The College of St. ScholasticaDuluth, [email protected]