Today in Dr. Freberg’s class we had the pleasure of receiving a lecture from the graduate assistant Imani on business networking. We focused on LinkedIn which is a powerful professional platform that has been around since 2003. Check out these riveting stats about LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is geared toward the professional market and it is an extremely effective platform for Business 2 Business content distribution. LinkedIn has become a vital professional element of the modern economy. Think of LinkedIn like a revolving electronic resume.
Social networks are becoming the preferred channel for promoting talent and brands. However, company and personal websites still hold the most significance. It’s a great idea to showcase your professional content along with your LinkedIn profile. Use projects, posts and experiences to spotlight your talent. Whether it is a blog, website, projects, etc… don’t be afraid to do a little bragging on LinkedIn because you want to showcase yourself.
Don’t use cliché lines that everyone says such as “I’m a hard worker”. LinkedIn could be compared to the Missouri “Show me State” motto. Employers do not want to hear about fairy tales, they want to see concrete facts. No shout outs allowed on LinkedIn either. Sorry guys, save that for Twitter!
LinkedIn is often used by employers and recruiting agencies to scout out potential talent. There are numerous professional groups to join on LinkedIn as well. LinkedIn is the perfect platform to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. However, one must be timely, consistent and genuine in order to become a leader. LinkedIn offers you the ability to recommend other professionals and they can do the same for you. LinkedIn utilizes the “You scratch my back and I will scratch yours” approach.
Here is a basic LinkedIn check list:
Photo: You must have a photo on LinkedIn. This isn’t the site to be an internet troll that hides behind a Shrek photo. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is professional and classy!
Headline: This is where you can tell people what excites you. You could mention your future goal, or summarize what your about overall.
Summary: In this section you can go into a little more detail. Talk about what motivates you. Whats trending in your expertise? What next for you and what are you working on?
Experience: This section is just like what you would find on a traditional resume. Here you want to list all the jobs or internships you have held. Be sure to list what you specifically accomplished at each of those jobs. Include work photos, completed projects, etc… The more you can prove, the more people will believe you.
10 wonderful must know tips for successful business networking!
I’m new to LinkedIn because I initially found the platform to be intimidating. However, it’s better to try and fail than to have never tried at all. I hope that you feel encouraged to check out LinkedIn after reading this post from a fellow LinkedIn beginner. LinkedIn is like the gym, “what you put in is what you get back. If you maximize your effort, organize your connections and stay consistent, the possibilities are endless.
Now go get connected and stay connected!
Bobby Alan Brown 