MEMO- Linked In Practices

MEMORANDUM

To:           All Scribes Writing Team Members, English 301 98A Technical Writing

From:      Christina Hruby, Scribes Writing team member

Date:       June 27, 2020

Subject:   Best Practices for Professional Networking on Linked In

As specified in the Unit 2:2 assignment, I have researched and discovered helpful guidelines for using the professional networking site, Linked In. Linked In is a social media network for businesses with more that 575 million members (Pope). The purpose of using the site is to connect with other professionals in your field, expand your network, engage in professional discussions related to your industry, and monitor potential employment opportunities. Like all forums, there are rules that should be followed. Inappropriate etiquette can damage the professional image you hope to present. I have compiled the following list of useful information, from 2 sources, to shared with the team (Pope, Balkhi).

1. Always include a professional photo for your profile. Profiles that provide a photo are more often viewed than those without. It is an opportunity to make a good first impression, so present yourself as you would at an interview.
2. Complete every section of the profile. Do not leave any fields blank.
3. Your profile is like a resume. It must stand out. Be neat and use a friendly, but professional tone.
4. Use keyword so that your profile will be chosen for searches associated with your industry. Use a meaningful headline so that others know exactly what your specialty is.
5. Connect with others. Always send a personalized note when making a connection request.  Respond promptly to requests and messages.
6. The more connections you have, the more established you will appear.
7. Participate by sharing, liking, and commenting on other posts. If you do not interact within the site, your network will not grow.
8. Post interesting information that shows other members that you are an expert in your field. This will attract valuable professional connections.
9. Join groups related to your industry and profession. Stay current and make insightful comments within these groups.
10. Always maintain a respectful tone and image. Linked In is not a casual forum meant for socializing, like Facebook. It is your opportunity to impress potential employers or business associates.

Linked In is an excellent career advancement tool that facilitates connections with influential professionals who may otherwise have been inaccessible (Balkhi). As this is a valuable opportunity, attention to detail and careful navigation of the site will increase our chances of success.

Thank you for considering the research I collected regarding Linked In practices. If you are interested in reading the articles I referred to, I have attached the referencing information below.

Works Cited

1. Pope, Joe. “LinkedIn Networking Tips: Making Connections and Getting Business in 3 Easy Steps.” Hinge Marketing, Hingemarketing.com, 17 June 2020, https://hingemarketing.com/blog/story/networking-on-linkedin.
2. Balkhi, Syed. “Tips for Successfully Networking on LinkedIn.” Business.com, Business.com, 23 Aug. 2018, www.business.com/articles/linkedin-networking-tips/.