LinkedIn in a great tool for networking and finding opportunities, but can be frustrating with the newly revised layout. This presentation from a recent webinar offers tips and suggestions for more effective use of LinkedIn, navigating the new layout, and insights into best practices.

1. February 2017
Dr. Brecca R. Farr, GCDF
Human Sciences Career Consultant
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater

2. –
™ Double check key profile elements
™ Navigating the new layout & search
™ Insights into best practices
Objectives for our webinar

3. –™ Great tool for
managing your
network
™ Many limitations
for editing profile
LinkedIn app

4. –
Making an effective profile
Does yours showcase your abilities?

5. –
™ Do not limit your
profile to content on
your resume!
™ Yes, it will take more
time…
It’s not the same…

6. –
ü Headshot
ü Headline
ü Summary
™ What is your overall message?
™ What are your goals?
™ What is your next step in your career?
Top 3 profile elements

7. –
Headshot
Headline
Summary

8. –Be attentive to:
™ Quality of photo
™ Eye contact
™ Smiling
™ Proportion of image
™ Cropping
LinkedIn: Headshot

9. –
What about potential for bias?
Age? Race? Cultural heritage? Sex?
Attractiveness? Body weight?
Ø Likely more to lose if you do NOT include a picture!
[Presuming appropriate picture]
LinkedIn: Headshot

10. –
™ What is your message???

11. –
Headline

12. –
™ Go beyond “job title”
… Why rely on the system default? …
™ Can be THE most challenging part to write!
LinkedIn: Headline

13. –
™ Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Design, analysis, project
management & manufacturing
™ Customer-focused pro who can program every robot in
your manufacturing facility. Specializing in ABB,
FANUC, and Kawasaki robots.
™ Industrial & manufacturing engineer / Project manager
/ Lean Six Sigma / I help execute projects and improve
operations
™ COO | CTO | GM | Sales | Technology & Business
Strategies for small to mid-size firms, startups and
turnarounds
LinkedIn: Headline

14. –
™ Copywriter who knows how to craft web content that
goes viral. Oh, and you’ll never beat me at Scrabble.
™ Tireless, caring Registered Nurse who helps pediatric
cancer patients and their families feel at ease throughout
treatment and recovery.
™ HR Generalist who helps corporate VPs measurably
improve their staff’s engagement & productivity. Results
featured in Workforce.com.
LinkedIn: Headline

15. –
Summary

16. –
™ First vs. Third person perspective
™Include discussion of your professional goal(s)
™Integrate information about your career progression
™Flexibility for what you share
ü Keep it professionally focused
ü Relevant for the reader
LinkedIn: Summary

17. –Experience
– Organization and job or leadership title
– Dates & location
– Accomplishments & responsibilities
– Don’t limit to the job description!
Skills
– Connections are asked to provide endorsements
– Which ones are relevant to your area?
Education
– Key words for degree & major / option / minor
– Activities or other descriptive details
– International study?
Integrate key words!
LinkedIn: Profile content

18. –
BRAND your profile
Be purposeful
Reflect the right (key) words
Attend to your audience
No stone unturned è complete your profile!
Develop & deliver your message

19. –
Considerations for *your* profile

20. –
What are YOU working towards?
™ New job – internal or external?
™ Individual (professional) development?
™ An objective related to your job?
™ A priority for your organization?

21. –
How much branding is in your profile?
Be attentive to:
™ Use of colors in background or what you’re wearing
™ Visibility of company logo(s)
™ Standing in front of clearly identifiable landmarks
™ No right or wrongs > Be purposeful!

22. –
™ Organizational membership
™ Professional associations
™ Leadership positions
™ Activities & volunteer service
™ Awards, honors, recognitions
™ Certifications
™ Watch for suggestions from LinkedIn
What’s your emphasis?
LinkedIn: Profile content

23. –
™ Privacy settings
™ Customize your LinkedIn URL
™ Contact information
Ø Recommend email only
™ Personal interests – personal choice to list
™ Recommendation: Do NOT list birthdate or marital status
LinkedIn: A few details

24. –
™ Graphics
Ø Donna Serdula profile
™ New feature: Photos & background image
Ø Consider the message
Ø Quality / relevance of photos critical for effectiveness
LinkedIn: Profile visuals

25. –
Updated search options
Insert frustration emoticon here!

27. –
Best practices for network
development

28. –
Develop your network: Initiating connections
™ It’s NOT a numbers game!
™ Be purposeful when asking to connect
™ Send a personalized message whenever possible

29. –
™ For your connections … add useful details!
Ø You won’t remember EVERYTHING about EVERYBODY
Ø Give yourself a nudge!
Ø Can no longer make notes >> Find another system L
Maintain your network: Make notes!

30. –
™ When you receive an invitation to connect …
™ Hi Pistol Pete -- Thank you for the invitation to connect. I
welcome networking with OSU alumni, and love seeing
them on LinkedIn! Please let me know if I can be of
assistance. Hope you have a great rest of the week! --
Regards, Dr.Farr
Maintain your network: Send messages!

31. –
™ When you receive a “thumbs up” for work
anniversary…
Hi Greg,
Thank you for the "thumbs up" for my work anniversary. I
appreciate it. Sometimes it’s the small seemingly inconsequential
acts that create lovely surprises. As I get older, I find it
increasingly important to not take anything for granted! So,
again, thank you!
Maintain your network: Send messages!

32. –
How often are you on LinkedIn?
™ At least once a day
™ Periodically during the week
™ Maybe a couple times a month
™ Whenever I get an alert -- re: connection, post, discussion
™ Can’t remember my password!

33. Questions?
We’re done (for today!)