I spent part of last week updating my LinkedIn profile. Since starting to look for a job, I have had a number of people ask if I am on LinkedIn. My profile hasn’t been totally complete (still isn’t). It is something that takes time to complete by adding connections and getting recommendations. But there are advantages to getting it done.
I first heard of the importance of using LinkedIn from Paul Allen. Paul has wrote a lot about it on his blog and I’m sure will continue to do so. Then at the beginning of the year, Guy Kawasaki wrote a few posts on his blog that convinced me even more that I needed to keep an updated profile, with or without a job. You never know when something unexpected happens. You can only be prepared.
For those of you who aren’t aware of what LinkedIn is, read the wikipedia entry. And then get a profile if you don’t have one. They will help you no matter what your career-entrepreneur, real estate agent, programmer, artist. Here is how anybody could use their LinkedIn profile to their advantage. If you are not on LinkedIn yet and I know you, there is a good chance you will get an invite within the next few days to join. Do what you want with the invite, but I recommend using it to your advantage and enhance your career and take it where you want it to go.
In the last few days, I have been inviting lots of colleagues to be added to my network. As I have been browsing around the LinkedIn site, I have noticed that the majority of people do not have an updated profile or their profile is very incomplete, much like my profile was before I started updating it last week. Guy gives a few good pointers on updating your profile.
I can’t wait to see everybody’s profiles soon. I’m sure I will post more on LinkedIn in the future to tell how I am using it in my job search.
Josh,
Excellent article. I decided that I’m going to find a new job so I took your advice and decided to set up an account. Hopefully we can both have some success with this.
[...] My cousin Josh posted a blog on his website a couple of days ago about how he was updating his Linkedin profile. For those who aren’t familiar with this service, it’s kind of like MySpace without angsty teens, awful grammar, and horribly designed pages. From what I can tell, it’s a very professional environment where business professionals go to be seen and increase the size of their personal networks. [...]
I am on Linked In but seeking guidance on how to add more information. Is there anyone you know who can help a handicapped person get it up and running to their advantage. contact me at my email or give me phone to call. Thanks.
HaRRIET