Social Media Use

Public

Discussion:

Stacey,

I shared these 10 tips in forum 3 but since you mentioned LinkedIn, I thought I'd share them with you in case any of them might be helpful to you when discussing some basics on optimizing a LinkedIn profile:

1. Build a 100% complete profile and create a vanity URL for your profile. To create a vanity URL, instructions are in my blog post: http://bit.ly/u7iH0k

2. Use a professional-looking head shot photo consistent across all social media platforms you use (This is brand consistency)

3. Optimize key words in your profile that align with target industry/job since profiles become searchable by recruiters. Optimized key words lead to increased likelihood of being found by your target audience.

4. Use the three listed URLs LinkedIn allows to link to other online collateral that can persuade an employer to be interested. This may be your personal blog, an online portfolio, an online infographic resume, your VisualCV profile, etc.

5. Request meaningful endorsements for past positions - At least 2 endorsements for each past position is a good goal for students.

6. Use the LinkedIn Apps to differentiate and optimize your profile - Many people ignore the apps LinkedIn offers which can be found in the top navigation bar under the tab "More." Specifically, the WordPress app is great to insert a personal WordPress blog into one's profile and Slide Share is a great app to incorporate a relevant PowerPoint or video presentation (or even a video resume) but video is only allowed for premium accounts. Box.net is great for including files in your profile that might be samples of work to share as a LinkedIn portfolio or even a PDF version of one's resume.

7. Identify relevant targeted groups to join and engage in discussion

8. Etiquette rules - Always be professional, polite, helpful, courteous, and thoughtful. Show your expertise when appropriate in answering questions and providing your own insight and thank others for their contributions

9. Leverage LinkedIn Answers to take advantage of the expertise of others on LinkedIn by getting answers to your questions. Other professionals on LinkedIn offer their insight using this app. Moreover, answer questions to demonstrate your expertise in a topic and build connections.

10. Once you have a complete profile, include your LinkedIn Vanity URL on printed marketing collateral such as a business card and of course, the resume. Consider a QR Code on a business card that allows someone with a smart phone to go directly to your LinkedIn profile.

Some additional tips would be to ensure the profile is made public so they can be searched by recruiters and employers and the other is to consider including your email in your headline. The headline is the first visible part of a profile and shows up when other users hover over the profile picture of someone with their mouse. Unless you have a premium account, you are limited with inmail options on LInkedIn and unless you are connected to someone, they won't have access to your email so including it in the headline makes it easier for people to contact you which is important for a job seeker.

I hope those help.

Stacey, I shared these 10 tips in forum 3 but since you mentioned LinkedIn, I thought I'd share them with you in case any of them might be helpful to you when discussing some basics on optimizing a LinkedIn profile: 1. Build a 100% complete profile and create a vanity URL for your profile. To create a vanity URL, instructions are in my blog post: http://bit.ly/u7iH0k 2. Use a professional-looking head shot photo consistent across all social media platforms you use (This is brand consistency) 3. Optimize key words in your profile that align with target industry/job since profiles become searchable by recruiters. Optimized key words lead to increased likelihood of being found by your target audience. 4. Use the three listed URLs LinkedIn allows to link to other online collateral that can persuade an employer to be interested. This may be your personal blog, an online portfolio, an online infographic resume, your VisualCV profile, etc. 5. Request meaningful endorsements for past positions - At least 2 endorsements for each past position is a good goal for students. 6. Use the LinkedIn Apps to differentiate and optimize your profile - Many people ignore the apps LinkedIn offers which can be found in the top navigation bar under the tab "More." Specifically, the WordPress app is great to insert a personal WordPress blog into one's profile and Slide Share is a great app to incorporate a relevant PowerPoint or video presentation (or even a video resume) but video is only allowed for premium accounts. Box.net is great for including files in your profile that might be samples of work to share as a LinkedIn portfolio or even a PDF version of one's resume. 7. Identify relevant targeted groups to join and engage in discussion 8. Etiquette rules - Always be professional, polite, helpful, courteous, and thoughtful. Show your expertise when appropriate in answering questions and providing your own insight and thank others for their contributions 9. Leverage LinkedIn Answers to take advantage of the expertise of others on LinkedIn by getting answers to your questions. Other professionals on LinkedIn offer their insight using this app. Moreover, answer questions to demonstrate your expertise in a topic and build connections. 10. Once you have a complete profile, include your LinkedIn Vanity URL on printed marketing collateral such as a business card and of course, the resume. Consider a QR Code on a business card that allows someone with a smart phone to go directly to your LinkedIn profile. Some additional tips would be to ensure the profile is made public so they can be searched by recruiters and employers and the other is to consider including your email in your headline. The headline is the first visible part of a profile and shows up when other users hover over the profile picture of someone with their mouse. Unless you have a premium account, you are limited with inmail options on LInkedIn and unless you are connected to someone, they won't have access to your email so including it in the headline makes it easier for people to contact you which is important for a job seeker. I hope those help.