Linkedin is the professional networking site and is a tool for establishing online image and network. Follow these steps to learn how to properly develop your LinkedIn profile.
Set up Your Profile
- Professional “headline”: After your name , this is the first line viewers will see. Try to go beyond simply putting “Account Executive” in your headline.
- Photo: This is the first image a viewer will have of you. Be mindful of the image you want to project and be sure that it is appropriate for the audience who will be viewing it.
- Linkedin URL: Claim your personalized URL. for example: www.linkedin.com/in/justinkane
- Summary: Use this section to highlight your key work experience and accomplishments.
- Experience: This should include experiences that are relevant to your career goals. You can include activities and leadership roles in this section. Give a brief description of your position, the dates you worked, and the name of the organization at which you worked (Do not write a description of the company in this section. LinkedIn already does this).
- Education: include, in reverse chronological order, University and any other Schools or programs.
- Additional Sections & Information: You can choose to add additional sections to your profile or incorporate this information in your education, experience of summary sections:
- Sample Additional Sections: Languages, volunteer experiences, courses, certifications, publications, honors & awards, personal website, groups and associations, interests, skills and expertise.
- Applications: Linkiedin Applications enable you to enrich your profile. Available applications include Creative Portfolio Display, Blog Link, WordPress, Company Buzz. etc.
Join Groups
Join as many Linkedin groups as are of interest to you. You will be included in periodic emails from these groups, and be able to ask questions of and reply to questions o f others in the group.
- Sample: University Groups and company groups.
- Industry & Interest Groups: There are groups for every industry and interest area. Use the search tool to identify ones that fit your interests.
Populate Your Profile with Connections
The Bigger your network, the easier it will be to connect to others in a broad variety of fields and locations. Start by searching fro people you already know in the Advance Search section and sending them an invitation to connect. Make sure to customize your invitation. Potential people to include in your network are: friends, relatives, High School and College classmates, current and former professors or teachers, co-workers and supervisors.
It’s best to connect only with the people you know and or have met in person. Most people won’t accept an invitation to connect from someone they’ve never met. Keep in mind that the online networking is a supplement (not a replacement) to in-person relationship building.
Good Luck!
Woodbridge World Wide / Executive Search for the Martech industry 