Shannon Bradford ⋅ Lakewood , OH RichWorkZone ⋅ 25 years experience

Hi Jimetrius,

You've gotten some great advice already. The one thing I would add is to make sure your profile includes appropriate keywords/keyphrases. If its a job search, find some job postings that are relevant (even if not in your target location) and use those keywords. If you are connecting to build business, then keywords that are relevant to that business.

Also, make sure when you request connections that you don't use the standard "add you to my network" from LinkedIn. Include how you know the person and/or reason you want to connect with them. That will make your invitations more compelling.

Joining and participating in groups is one of the best ways to build your network, as Krystal suggested.

Good luck with your networking.

Shannon

Don Hammond ⋅ New York , NY ⋅ 25 years experience

Hi Jimetrius,

I think Brigid does a great job of explaining the mechanics of LinkedIn but it may also be pertinent to add a few additional items.

Similar to a written resume, there are two topics that need to be addressed: 1.) is actual content, data, facts, etc while 2.) is the formatting, wording, style, etc of the document. LinkedIn is very similar.

The key is to address both equally well. Of course, LinkedIn offers many great tools regarding the formatting and style but those are only effective if we use them accordingly.

My suggestion... go to LinkedIn and create a profile. Then spend some quality time not only learning the intricacies of the site and how you can best build your profile but also spending some time surfing other people's profiles for ideas that you could also use (duplication is the best form of flattery!).

Last but not least, do NO sign up (pay) for any additional LinkedIn services because at this time there would be little to no benefit for you (despite what their marketing says).

I hope this helps!

Krystal Yates ⋅ Lewisville , TX EBR Consulting, LLC ⋅ 19 years experience

Brigid just about summed it up. The only thing I will add is join groups who are relevant to you and participate in a meaningful way. Comment on posts, ask and answer questions, post relevant articles, that sort of thing.

Brigid Greenway ⋅ Canton , MI Dynatrace ⋅ 15 years experience

Hi Jimetrius,
LinkedIn is a terrific tool to use - some key areas to make you standout:

-appropriate headshot
-#s based facts on your achievements ("20% growth YoY" is stronger than "achieved beyond goal")
-utilizing the other non-work specific areas (i.e. college, classes, volunteer work, patents, awards) - it can help you standout against other candidates with similar backgrounds
-keeping it up to date
-keeping the current position the one with the most details - the further back in your career the timeline goes, the less people tend to care about those details
-getting and giving REAL recommendations (not just those skill set recommendations) - if others can endorse you, not only does it show the value that you brought to someone else but it automatically widens your network

Hope this helps!
Brigid

Kit Lancaster ⋅ Chicago , IL GCG Financial ⋅ 5 years experience

What do you hope to accomplish with your LinkedIn profile? Career? Introductions? Branding? Sales? With a better understand if your desired end state I might be able to provide some courses of action for your consideration.

Thank You
Kit

Bob Maher ⋅ Dallas , TX MAHER Associates ⋅ 35 years experience

Task #1... Your LinkedIn Profile can be "designed and developed" to either PUSH your message outward, or PULL interested parties to your Profile... this PUSH vs PULL decision is the first one you'll want to make to guide your efforts in developing a dyn-o-mite, high impact Profile. The two would look VERY different... my preference is to slide down the middle and develop your storyline accordingly.

Task#2... Develop your Profile

Task #3... Develop and grow your network for the rest of your working career... always have a NEXT Contact to invite and make. In the beginning, go for the 'low hanging fruit...' then, as your confidence grows and your Contact total mounts... be selective and bring some focus to your efforts. Learn to "tag" your Contacts from the beginning... it's easier than playing catch-up.

Daawuud Nadir ⋅ Brooklyn , NY U.S. Army National Guard, Specialist ⋅ 7 years served

Hi Jim,

Alyson Brewer-Hay administers the Veterans LinkedIn account and offers a free one year subscription to military personnel.

Her email address is: abrewerhay@linkedin.com; and as a substitute you can also cc; veterans@linkedin.com.

This is my second year of subscription and I wish you the best of success in your career.

Sincerely,

Daawuud Nadir, (E-4 enlisted)
Veteran

Dan Weidman ⋅ Los Angeles , CA Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) ⋅ 22 years experience

All great points above, but if I had to pick one: post a professional photo. Your LinkedIn photo should match your great professional accomplishments and aspirations.

Darlene Casstevens ⋅ Oxford , NC Liberty University ⋅ 13 years experience

Hi Jemitrius,
One thing that I have done to help my LinkedIn page is the addition of my blog. I created my blog on WordPress. Then I put a link to my blog from my LinkedIn page. Hopefully, this will be one way to help. Good luck!
Darlene

Craig Arnold ⋅ Washington , DC Henry Schein ⋅ 15 years experience

Hi Jimetrius,

I have taken a quick look at your Linkedin profile a few things:

1. I would add in a lot more detail to your specific skills experience. Focus these of areas of interest to you in the private sector and how your experience would relate.
2. Reduce down your summary to your next key employment objective i.e. what are you looking for along with a brief summary of your key strengths.
3. Get some recommendation from your colleagues
4. Also a more professional headshot

Julia Rivera ⋅ Burbank , CA Los Angeles Ballet Company ⋅ 15 years experience

Hello Jimetrius, although LinkedIn has functionality like Facebook, don't use it the same way. Definitely join groups that are in your expertise or interest and be sure to contribute. It is good to keep your activity high by posting information you find or impart your own wisdom on professional subjects. Many online job listings allow you to apply with your LinkedIn profile, even those not posted to LinkedIn so be sure to keep it current.

Regards,

Julia Rivera, U.S. Army veteran

Eugene Liu ⋅ Powder Springs , GA Verizon ⋅ 12 years experience

Hi Jemitrius,

Thank you for your service in the Navy.

You are on the right track in wanting a polished LinkedIn profile, it is by far the best online tool for professional networking, and it doesn't take much effort to keep it updated.

I have looked at your LinkedIn profile and have a few suggestions, such as tightening up the "Summary" and including details in your most recent role. I also reside in the Atlanta area (Cobb County) and would be open to meeting in person to go over this, if you are interested. Fee free to message me, and we can set something up, if anything just for me to learn more about your background, skills, and aspirations so we can utilize LinkedIn more effectively.

David Akre ⋅ New York , NY A NYSE listed financial company ⋅ 25 years experience

Ji - LinkedIn is good for making business connections but you won't find many senior level decision makers on it. Use it to network up the ladder. Also look for groups but don't get sucked in to the spam most people post. Stick to your plan.