2.2: Memo on LinkedIn Best Practices for Professional Networking

MEMORANDUM

To: ENGL 301 Amy’s Team
From: Angie Zhou, ENGL 301 Student, <angiezhou6@hotmail.com>
Date: March 5, 2023
Subject: Best Practices for Professional Networking on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that allows users to expand their networks and explore new professions. As requested in the course schedule, I have conducted research and consolidated the most effective and useful practices for using LinkedIn as a professional networking site. Below is a list of the top ten practices that I recommend for using LinkedIn:

1. Using numbers and case studies to demonstrate your success. Making your contributions more specific help recruiters understand the scope of your accomplishments (The Muse).
2. Using images and videos to make your LinkedIn profile stand out. Utilizing rich media will drive engagement and add visual appeal to your profile (Medium).
3. Requesting at least one LinkedIn recommendation per month, especially after meeting new people at events. Seeking out strong, relevant, and recent recommendations will enhance your credibility and grow your network (The Muse).
4. Using a professional profile picture. A friendly smile will help connect with viewers and make a good first impression with employers (The Muse).
5. Staying active on LinkedIn. Liking or commenting on other’s posts, joining groups, posting content, and endorsing those in your network will help to interact with others and gain new contacts (Hubspot).
6. Writing articles that reflect your professional perspectives and interests to increase your credibility and establish a leadership position (Smarp).
7. Maintaining a complete and up-to-date profile to increase the chances of recruiters and hiring managers viewing your profile (The Muse).
8. Customizing a unique public profile URL. A custom URL will make your profile more memorable and easier to share (Hubspot).
9. Listing your work and volunteer experiences using accomplishment statements that showcase your knowledge, skills and abilities. Highlight your responsibilities and personal contributions to emphasize your value and capabilities to potential employers (UBC Careers).
10. Using relevant keywords in your headline to take advantage of LinkedIn’s algorithm and optimize the visibility of your profile to your desired audience (Ragan).

LinkedIn is a powerful resource where individuals can acquire professional relationships and opportunities. Incorporating some of the practices discussed above will allow the use of LinkedIn to its fullest potential as a professional networking platform.

Please let me know if you have any questions or require additional information.

Works Cited

“31 LinkedIn Tips to Make Your Profile Shine.” The Muse, https://www.themuse.com/advice/linkedin-profile-tips. Accessed 22 Oct. 2021.

“A Step-by-Step Guide to Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile.” Smarp, https://blog.smarp.com/a-guide-to-optimizing-your-linkedin-profile-for-2019. Accessed 22 Oct. 2021.

“How to Make the Most of LinkedIn.” Student Services, 9 Dec. 2016, https://students.ubc.ca/career/career-resources/make-most-linkedin.

Kim, Larry. “22 Great Tips for Enhancing Your LinkedIn Profile.” Medium. https://medium.com/marketing-and-entrepreneurship/22-great-tips-for-enhancing-your-linkedin-profile-c72e5b2a8cbc. Accessed 22 Oct. 2021.

Mäkipää, Mia. “9 Steps to a Better LinkedIn Profile in 2019.” Ragan Communications, 30 Dec. 2019, https://www.ragan.com/9-steps-to-a-better-linkedin-profile-in-2019/.

Zantal-Wiener, Amanda. The Beginner’s Guide to LinkedIn Marketing. https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/23454/the-ultimate-cheat-sheet-for-mastering-linkedin.aspx. Accessed 22 Oct. 2021.