LinkedIn for UsersA Guide to Optimizing Your Professional Social Presence

Why Use LinkedIn?The professional social network

If you like stats...

World’s largest professional network on the Internet with 175 million+ members in over 200 countries

As of June 30, 2012 (end of Q2), professionals were signing up at a rate of 2 new members/second

As of June 30, 2012, LinkedIn counts executives from all 2011 Fortune 500 companies as members; its corporate hiring solutions are used by 85 of the Fortune 100 companies

What can I do with LinkedIn?

Stay in touch with important contacts

Build a network

Research companies/employees you are doing business with

Search and apply for jobs

Create a professional profile that can serve as an online résumé/CV◦ Past and present work experience◦ Examples of work and success◦ Recommendations

Profile TipsIt is necessary to fill out your profile completely to earn trust.

#1. Include a pictureso it is easier for acquaintances to recognize you and then request to connect with you

#2. Use appropriate keywords

in your heading and title

#3. Tag skillsand expertise that you have

#4. Link to your websites,and use your own personalized anchor text for these links by selecting the “Other” category for your site

#5. Take advantage of Applications

that allow you to improve your page by adding Twitter feeds and blog posts

#6. Use presentation applicationssuch as SlideShare to post relevant keynote presentations to your profile, as well as PDFs

#7. Add videoYou can embed a video into the first slide of a SlideShare show for it to launch automatically when someone views your profile, or you can use the first slide to introduce it

Beyond the ProfileConnections, Groups, Polls, Answers

Connections

YOU

1st Degree Contact

2nd Degree Contact

3rd Degree Contact

2nd Degree Contact

1st Degree Contact

2nd Degree Contact

3rd Degree Contact

3rd Degree Contact

Groups

Polls

Answers

LinkedIn FeaturesLinkedIn has a variety of unique features that you should take full advantage of to create the optimal networking experience.

Who’s Viewed Your Profile?

People You May Know

Your Connections to a Company

Job-seeking Tools

Recommendations