An introduction to using LinkedIn, with a focus on how LinkedIn can help Foreign Service Eligible Family Members (EFMs) network.

1. Learning LinkedIn
An introduction

2. LinkedIn Facts
 Professional networking site
 Third-fastest-growing social networking site
 Two new users join every second
 90.9% of users use the free version
 35% of users visit daily

3. LinkedIn User Demographics
 60% male
 22% are in the 25-34 age range
 Tend to be more affluent
 76% have at least a college degree
 28% have a graduate degree

4. Using LinkedIn
 Reconnect – be found and find others
 Make new connections and network
 Establish presence in an industry
 Reinforce existing relationships
 Engage (and find) key influencers
 Attract target audience
 Discover opportunities
 Gain knowledge
 Content sharing
 Get answers by people who should know what they’re talking about
 Enhance personal/employer’s brand

5. Using LinkedIn: Engage
The conversation is happening with or
without you!

6. Develop a Strategy
 Define goals
 What is your objective in using LinkedIn?
 For what do you want to be known?
 Include keywords
 Establish an effective presence
 Join and participate in groups
 Connect with people and companies
 Participate and engage regularly – it’s a two-way street

7. Important Profile Parts: Photo
 Doesn’t have to be a professional headshot
 Unless you’re a model, try to stick to just a headshot
 Don’t include other people
 Reflect some personality, as appropriate

8. Important Profile Parts:
Headline
 It’s the first – and sometimes only – thing people read
 Be creative, not boring
 Tailor it to the job you want to have, not necessarily the
one you have now

9. Important Profile Parts:
Summary
 Be Concise
 Write in the first person
 Highlight specialties
 Use keywords
 Think of your “elevator speech”

10. Writing Your Summary
Thanks to GEI and Joshua Waldman:
 Who are you?
 What problem do you solve?
 Why are you the best? Mention one of your biggest
successes, and be specific
 What kind of job are you looking for?

11. Endorsements
 More than 1 billion total
 Average number of endorsements per user is 5
 Easy to give
 Easy to hide – irrelevant skill and/or endorser
 At this point, recruiters don’t care about them
 But don’t ignore them

12. Recommendations
 Hold more weight than endorsements
 Think about reciprocating
 Adds credibility
 Try to have at least two

13. Volunteer Work
 Consider listing something under work if it is related to
your career – you just did it pro bono!
 Everything counts
 Remember: this is more than an online resume

14. Groups
 A great way to stay active and network
 PROPS – Professional Partners/Spouses of the FS
 Join industry and alumni groups
 Ask and answer questions

15. Connecting
 Search! You might be surprised with what you find
 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree connections
 Introductions
 InMail

16. Jobs
 Search for jobs
 Discover jobs in your network
 Many groups post jobs or job leads

17. Pulse
 LinkedIn bought Pulse for $90M in April 2013
 Newsreader
 Recently integrated into LinkedIn, replacing LinkedIn
Today
 Increased personalization

18. Helpful Hints
 Before updating your profile, turn off your notifications!
 Customize your profile URL
 Complete your profile – you want to be an all-star
 Grow your network
 Sharing content? For maximum reach, try morning and
midday (EST), Monday through Friday