06/01/2012

Getting More Out of Linkedin and Avoiding the Pitfalls

By Paula Brand

Have you opened a LinkedIn account? Having a presence on social media is a must in today’s world and LinkedIn is one of the most useful websites for professional purposes. Completing your profile, adding connections and displaying your areas of expertise can all increase your chances of landing your next job or being sought out for interesting projects. Having 50 connections or more makes LinkedIn algorithms start to do their magic.

 

Suggestions to Help You Get More Out of Linkedin:

 

Pitfalls of LinkedIn:

 

The Pros Outweigh the Cons
Though I have mentioned some LinkedIn drawbacks, I truly believe in the power of this social media platform for effective career management and a proactive job search. Learn more about LinkedIn to enhance your own career and the careers of those you assist. I challenge you to commit yourself to scheduling a half an hour next week to try some of the suggestions above.

 

Do you want to learn more? If you want to learn more about LinkedIn, there are many opportunities. For starters, you could attend the Technology Tools for Beginners Professional Development Institute (http://ncdacdf.org/"http://ncdacdf.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Career Development conference in Atlanta (it will cover LinkedIn, Twitter, blogging, online surveys and making a website). In addition, the Academies offers a designation through a course titled the Online Professional Networking Strategist (focused on LinkedIn), taught by Jason Alba and Susan Whitcomb. (http://www.theacademies.com/programs/online-professional-networking-strategist/). Finally, you can obtain continuing education hours through a course called Social Media Tools for Career Development - LinkedIn taught by Melissa Venable, PhD. (http://www.ceuonestop.com/courses.php#Social_Media_LinkedIn).

 

 


 

Paula BrandPaula Brand is passionate about helping people find satisfying career paths, manage careers effectively and perform successful job searches. She is a Global Career Development Facilitator and Certified Professional Résumé Writer, with a Masters Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Paula has 20 years of combined experience in career counseling, human resources and educational training. She is currently a Career Advisor the Arnold Station Career Center, a local OneStop office in Maryland and she recently founded Brand Career Management, specializing in educating people on using LinkedIn effectively. In 2012-2013, she will be the President of the Maryland Career Development Association (www.mdcareers.org). To learn more about Paula, visit her website at www.paulabrand.com or contact her at paulabrandcprw@gmail.com.

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15 Comments

Elisabeth Sanders-Park   on Saturday 06/02/2012 at 06:35 AM

Very useful article. I'm going to get my URL! Thanks, Paula, for sharing your wisdom.

Janet Wall   on Saturday 06/02/2012 at 08:26 AM

Appreciate the mention of Melissa Venable's online, self-paced course on LinkedIn offered by CEUonestop.com. CEUonestop.com is an approved NBCC provider.

Tom Dodson   on Saturday 06/02/2012 at 10:37 AM

A very clear and helpful article. Well done, Paula!!

E. Niel Carey   on Sunday 06/03/2012 at 04:17 PM

Thanks very much for your excellent and very informative article. Your explanation of the potential magnitude of contacts was helpful as was your very clear explanation of some of the limitations of LinkedIn.

Paula Brand   on Sunday 06/03/2012 at 08:46 PM

Thanks for all of your positive feedback.

Jose Torres-Reyes   on Monday 06/04/2012 at 08:43 AM

Thank you Paula, for this wonderful roadmap to success. Since the first time we spoke at the "Raise the Bar" conference, you've always provided information that helps get one through any maze threatening to stop progress. Your straight forward and no-nonsense approach to problem solving & unyielding desire to give timely & ground breaking assistance to anyone seeking solutions to problems, makes you a truly valuable ally & personal friend.
Thank you,
Jose'

Melissa Venable   on Monday 06/04/2012 at 08:51 AM

Thanks so much for the mention, Paula! This is a great list of tips. LinkedIn is a robust networking platform and I am always amazed at the amount of information and customization available. Looking forward to learning more from you at this year's conference.

Elisabeth Sanders-Park   on Monday 06/04/2012 at 09:43 AM

JOSE: Well-said and so true. you should write a LinkedIn Recommendation for Paula!

Mark Klein, Queens College    on Monday 06/04/2012 at 10:29 AM

Paula,

Thank you for your excellent article. I conduct Linked In workshops for our students at Queens College. Your suggestions about applications and the pitfalls of Linked In were especially helpful.


Susan Whitcomb   on Tuesday 06/05/2012 at 10:23 AM

Thanks, Paula, for an excellent list of tips. You've reminded me of a few things I should be doing on LinkedIn (like mention my upcoming speaking/training events)! You've helped us all 'practice what we preach'! :)

Ben Martin @Social_Ben   on Thursday 06/07/2012 at 11:38 AM

Excellent post and very concise. One thing I would add to those going to polish their profile now, is to turn of notifications whilst you do this. BUT remember to turn it back on once all your work is done ;-)

Ray Hoffmann   on Thursday 06/07/2012 at 01:26 PM

Excellent tips for navigating this valuable resource. A must read for anyone dipping their toe in professional social networking. The first thing I did was grab my URL!

Deborah Crockett   on Wednesday 06/13/2012 at 09:58 AM

Great article, Paula! You prompted me to remember to update my apps andI learned some new tricks, too.

Scott Tucker   on Tuesday 07/10/2012 at 07:39 PM

Thanks for this article! This will help so many of the job seekers that I work with.

Pam McHugh   on Monday 07/16/2012 at 11:49 PM

Thank you Paula, this is very helpful information.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the comments shown above are those of the individual comment authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of this organization.