LinkedIn Basics: Do’s and Don’ts

LinkedIn is an invaluable tool for managing your professional network. I’ve been using LinkedIn to grow my professional network for years now. I’ve used it to land an exciting job offer even though I wasn’t actively looking for. Unlike other social networking websites, on LinkedIn you are potentially connecting with your industry peers, recruiters and your future employer. Thanks to LinkedIn’s facility to develop and manage a personal professional brand.

With LinkedIn, now you have the ability to connect with people, ask and answer questions, provide and receive recommendations, take part in groups, list your experience and skills.

In this blog, I’ll share what are the do’s and don’ts on LinkedIn.

• Your LinkedIn profile picture should look professional
• Update your summary field in a very short, specific and engaging manner
• Brief your job responsibilities including highlights as you’ll have a wider range of people viewing your profile
• Include keywords related to your field in your profile to appear on search engine results pages
• Get your LinkedIn public profile URL to strengthen your professional brand and make it public
• The basic function of LinkedIn is inviting people to join your network. Colleagues, classmates, professors, partners and contacts from your industry are good to expand your network
• You should always include a personal note when sending an invite especially if you don’t know the person well
• Don’t invite people you don’t know to join your network
• Ask for recommendations from people who know you well and can recommend your experience and skills
• Don’t post unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, press releases, event promotions, sales pitches, etc., in group discussions and status updates
• Don’t send unsolicited promotional messages to direct connections without their permission

This is a quick list, if you feel I have missed any, please add as comments!