Creating a Professional LinkedIn Profile

Entry by Pat Patterson

In the July INTERNnetwork, I included an article about social media networking. Of all the current social media platforms, LinkedIn is the most obvious tool to use for professional networking because it was created for exactly that reason.

LinkedIn provides an easy to follow template to create a professional profile, but it is important to fill out your profile accurately and in detail.

Check out the included example of a professional, completed LinkedIn profile.

In addition, here are four key tips:

• Make sure your profile is 100% complete – having a complete profile increases your search result rankings and shows that you took the initiative to complete your profile
• join groups that are related to your industries of interest and groups that are designed for networking, job, and/or internship searching,
• follow organizations of your interest, and
• take advantage of your network – on LinkedIn, you have the ability to see how you may be connected to a person through one of your own contacts – don’t hesitate to ask one of your connections for an introduction!

(Click to enlarge)