16 Things You May Be Doing Wrong on LinkedIn
With LinkedIn gaining increasing prominence- make certain you are using it properly. The intent of this article is to provide the 16 things you ma be doing wrong on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn can be a powerful tool to network your way to success! Jada A. Graves of US News and World Report provided a concise list of examples of things that people do incorrectly on LinkedIn in her article, “16 Thing You’re Doing All Wrong on LinkedIn.”
Listed below are 16 examples of using it incorrectly.
1-Not including a profile image. No profile photo is an indication that you may have something to hide.
2-Not including the correct profile image. You should be certain that you look professional and that your image enhances your personal brand.
3-Botching the professional headline. Use 120 characters to inform the viewer as to what makes you special professionally.
4-Leaving the summary section blank. Think of it as an elevator pitch- it gives an overview of who you are and what you’ve done.
5-Listing facts and figures only. Use LinkedIn to tell a story that Google can’t. Explain your responsibility and experience.
6-Cutting and pasting your resume. Go into great detail on your experience and accomplishments. Upload visual work samples, etc.
7-Funding your skills and accomplishments. Give an accurate assessment of your professional life.
8-Using the default LinkedIn connection language. Taylor your connection request to the person you are sending it to and explain why you want to connect. It will make you memorable!
9-Cold contacting and connecting. Attempting to connect with those you neither know nor have anything in common with is awkward.
10-Not making your intentions known. When connecting be transparent about who you are and what you want when you don’t know your new connection.
11-Neglecting your privacy and broadcast settings. Your profile should be public but activity does not have to me. For stealth LinkedIn users, use the option to remain anonymous when looking at other people’s profile.
12- Being a bugaboo. In someone denied your connection request, do not ask again.
13-Recommending and/or endorsing everyone. Endorse connections only for skills you have personal experience with.
14-Being stingy with recommendations and endorsements. DO recommend and endorse your connections when appropriate!
15-Using LinkedIn as you would other social networking sites. LinkedIn is a business networking site- not a place to share personal stories about your kids.
16-Not using LinkedIn . According to Jobsite’s 2014 Job Seeker Nation Study, 94% of recruiters are active on LinkedIn but only 36% of the job seekers are.
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