Ten Tips for Optimizing LinkedIn
Author: Barbara Safani

With over 25 million members, LinkedIn has grown to become
a very powerful business and career management tool. Many
are using it, but few have really optimized its value.
Here are ten tips for creating a strong online presence.

1. Take the time to create a robust profile. Write a
summary section that clearly outlines your personal brand
and value add and gets readers jazzed up about what you do.
Build out the specialties section and make it keyword rich
and industry relevant. Many profiles on LinkedIn are just a
shell with a name and an abbreviated chronology. You would
never submit a resume to a potential employer that only
listed employment, so why would you use this tactic on-line
when your information is available for millions of people
to see?

2. Use the endorsements feature to request and offer
endorsements. People are more likely to contact you if you
can prove that others have been satisfied with your work,
product, or services. Adding endorsements can expedite the
decision making process.

3. Keep your profile up to date. People who use LinkedIn
for a job search campaign often abandon the tool after they
find new employment. By keeping your information up to
date, you are more likely to keep your network strong and
be able to reciprocate to others.

4. Educate your connections. If people join LinkedIn and
don't invite others, they won't get as much out of the tool
and will remain several degrees apart from the people they
want to meet.

5. LinkedIn doesn't replace traditional networking, it
facilitates it. Always supplement your on-line efforts with
face-to-face networking.

6. Use the questions and answers feature to start
conversations, create community, and position yourself as a
subject matter expert. By answering questions, you are
simultaneously endorsing your candidacy and expertise.

7. Don't add a connection that you would not feel
comfortable introducing to someone already in your network.
Having 500 connections doesn't have much value if you can't
share the love.

8. Don't use the invitation to connect templates. They lack
authenticity and are inferior when compared to a
personalized message from you.

9. Create a public profile. This is an easy way to start
building an on-line presence for yourself, since LinkedIn
ranks high in the search engines. Add a vanity URL for
greater differentiation.

10. Take advantage of resources that can help you optimize
your Linked In profile including:
http://www.linkedintelligence.com/
http://blog.linkedin.com/
http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2007/01/linkedin_profil.html
http://www.happyabout.info/linkedinhelp.php
http://www.happyabout.info/onlinenetworking.php

You can keep your LinkedIn presence healthy and strong by
reviewing and updating the content frequently, sending and
accepting new invitations, offering and requesting
endorsements, and posing and answering questions. Try to
spend at least 30 minutes per week managing your LinkedIn
presence. Your persistence will pay off.


About the Author:

Barbara Safani, owner of Career Solvers,
(http://www.careersolvers.com ) has over 12 years of
experience in career management, recruiting, and executive
coaching. Ms. Safani partners with both Fortune 100
companies and individuals to deliver targeted programs
focusing on resume development, job search strategies,
networking, interviewing, salary negotiation skills, and
online identity management.