3 Easy Ways to Make LinkedIn Work For YOU

Published on June 22, 2011 by Beth Campbell Duke

LinkedIn also has mobile options. Photo: TechCrunch

Regardless of your age or level of work experience, LinkedIn is a valuable yet seriously under-used resource available to anyone who wants to find or create work.

LinkedIn has been described as ‘Facebook for Professionals’, and there’s a lot to be said for this comparison. By far the biggest criticism I’ve heard about LinkedIn is that it ‘doesn’t work’, but if you extend the Facebook comparison to LinkedIn you’ll realize that in order for it to ‘work’, you’ve got to be there interacting with people – just like on Facebook.

Here are 3 easy ways to start to make LinkedIn work for you:

1. Create a compelling profile and use it. Wield the power of your LinkedIn profile by putting effort in to your summary. LinkedIn is a great place to showcase your marketing resume and to add some professional personality to your profile. Here you can also display a variety of other applications, helping you personalize your profile with things like your Twitter and blog feeds, reading lists and more. Once you’ve created a compelling profile, make sure you set your custom public URL (LinkedIn/in/YourBrand), and use it. This is especially important if you have no other URL to place on your resumes, cover letters and business cards.
2. Join and participate in groups. The groups you’re in can be displayed on your public profile, helping to demonstrate your interests and involvement. If you’re looking for work, find groups in your professional area and stay connected with industry trends, learn about training and networking opportunities. You can get the best of both worlds by connecting with people far away, and by sourcing local offline events that can help you expand your network.
3. Ask and answer questions using the ‘Answers’ forum. If you’re wondering about the best way to answer interview questions, or how to dress for a successful interview, there are people on LinkedIn waiting to help. On the far right of the top menu bar, hiding on the drop-down labelled ‘More’ is the ‘Answers’ forum. The most recently asked questions from people in your network are shown, and you can browse all questions by category. You can ask or answer questions – or surf around and see what advice people are giving.

Once you have your LinkedIn profile established, you can add this powerful application to your personal marketing social media strategy – creating greater online visibility for your professional brand, expanding your network, and finding answers to questions that arise as you work on finding work!

Category: Career, Expert Articles, Tools
Tags: career, career tips, resume, social media, technology

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About Beth Campbell Duke

I live on Vancouver Island on Canada's We(s)t Coast where I help people near and far find or create work they LOVE. In my spare time my husband, @AntiqueExpert Tony Duke, and I like to work around the yard planting things that provide food.

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