To: Members of Long’s Team
From: Long You
Date: Apr 15, 2023
Subject: Ten Best practices for using LinkedIn as a professional networking site
As the world’s largest professional networking platform with over 750 million members in more than 200 countries, LinkedIn provides a vast array of opportunities for university students to connect with other professionals, showcase their skills, education, and experience, and stay informed about their field of study. Here are ten best practices for using LinkedIn as a professional networking site:
- Completing online profile: A complete and up-to-date profile will make you stand out, as many users are unwilling to fully complete their profiles. (Zide et al., 2014)
- Customizing your LinkedIn URL for easy access and memory.
- Using a professional profile picture: A lack of a picture may have a direct effect on perceived attraction. (Edwards et al., 2015)
- Optimizing the summary section: A concise overview of your professional background will help attract readers to your profile.
- Personalizing connection requests: Sending customized personal friend requests and explaining why you want to connect.
- Connecting with professional focus: Connecting with people who have relevant professional goals and interests.
- Following up with new connections: After making a new connection, follow up by sending a personalized message or setting up a call or meeting.
- Engaging with professional circles: Engaging with your network by posting comments, sharing posts, and making a constant presence.
- Searching on LinkedIn: Using LinkedIn’s search engine to find relevant people in your field, such as alumni.
- Joining LinkedIn groups and follow your target organizations: Joining and following your target groups in your field to connect with like-minded professionals.
Following these best practices can enhance your LinkedIn profile, improve networking skills, and increase chances of standing out from other job applicants.
References:
Edwards, Chad, et al. “Social Presence on Linkedin: Perceived Credibility and Interpersonal Attractiveness Based on User Profile Picture.” Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, Bastas, 15 Oct. 2015, https://www.ojcmt.net/article/social-presence-on-linkedin-perceived-credibility-and-interpersonal-attractiveness-based-on-user.
Zide, Julie, et al. “LinkedIn and Recruitment: How Profiles Differ across Occupations.” Employee Relations, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 29 July 2014, https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-07-2013-0086.
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