9 tips: make your linkedin profile work harder

Twitter: @EmptyLemon Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmptyLemon YouTube: www.youtube.com/emptylemonvideos Linkedin: http://bit.ly/emptylemonlinkedin

for


Step 1. Complete your profile

Click on ‘Profile’ at the top of the page. If your status bar doesn’t look like this...

...then you still have work to do


As you add your work experience, add context to each element.

This is not a CV, so you are not restricted by word count, but this doesn’t give you reign to go on, and on, and on...

ZZ

ZZ

Z

Z

ZZ


As you complete your profile, keep in mind what exactly you are using your Linkedin profile for.

Networking? Job hunting? Business development?

As an example, if you work for an advertising agency and you’re trying to attract more clients, write about your success stories and large campaigns, not about your transferable skills.


Step 2.

“90% of people trust online recommendations from people they know”

Nielsen Global Online Consumer Survey of over 25,000 Internet consumers from 50 countries

Give, and ask for, recommendations

Recommendations qualify you as a useful contact

Set the ball rolling by recommending your colleagues, customers, classmates, suppliers – anybody that you have had a professional relationship with


Aim to give

recommendation per week

1


You can also add applications that automatically share new blog posts, videos and presentations as you post them.

Step 3. Link up with Linkedin


Whilst on the subject of social media accounts, Google yourself and ensure that your online presence, across all networks, is of a professional standard

Delete or protect anything that isn’t


This is an easy one...

Step 4. Personalise your profile link


You get out what you put in – low quality, generalised adverts attract low quality, speculative applications

First instinct here is to add groups matching your skills profile [and this is useful] however, you should also add groups that are used by your potential employers, even if they are not directly relevant to you

This will give you useful insight into the thoughts of those that you are trying to impress

Step 5. Search for [and add] groups


For bonus points, try to contribute to some discussions...

...you never know, it may lead to some useful connections


Whenever you speak to people, invite them to link up on LinkedIn

Step 6. Add EVERYONE!

For higher uptake, don’t wait for a response to your email – invite them to connect on LinkedIn straight away.


9 times out of 10 your invite will be accepted.

This is a great way to grow you connection numbers quickly and make the most out of every professional interaction


Step 7. Promote your Linkedin profile

Add a link to your Linkedin profile from your email signatures, blog, business cards and everywhere else

This will help you get the most out of every interaction

Andy StevensMarketing Manager0845 6897046@EmptyLemon@OnlineAStevenshttp://uk.linkedin.com/in/onlineastevens

My Blog Post


Step 8. Use Linkedin Answers

This is the section of LinkedIn (first option under the ‘More’ menu) that is used to ask industry-specific questions to the Linkedin population.

Try to answer one question every week; you’ll be surprised how useful this is for making new contacts


Step 9. Use Linkedin regularly

Anything that is worth doing takes time and with Linkedin, the more effort you put in the greater the return.This doesn’t mean spending hours on the site. Once you have steps 1 to 8 in place, you can expect a useful return on the following:

A status update each day

1 or 2 comments on groups each week

Adding all new contacts


Now what?Next keep up the momentum

Follow the EmptyLemon Linkedin Group

Read 9 tips to ensure your CV gets you an interview

Search for the latest IT jobs on EmptyLemon

Add EmptyLemon on Twitter and Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/emptylemon

http://twitter.com/emptylemon

http://www.emptylemon.co.uk/jobs/search

http://blog.emptylemon.co.uk/2011/09/ensure-your-cv-gets-you-an-interview-9-tips/

http://blog.emptylemon.co.uk/2011/09/ensure-your-cv-gets-you-an-interview-9-tips/

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/EmptyLemon-Jobs-from-Direct-Employers-3280221?mostPopular=&gid=3280221

9 tips: make your linkedin profile work harder

Technology