Today’s blog post is written by esteemed guest blogger, social media expert Anne Reuss
Many times when we meet new people that we want to exchange contact information with, we might say:
Text me!
I’ll page you.
Facebook me or I’ll find you on Facebook.
Here’s my card.
Do you have Bump on your cell?
I’ll give you my e-mail too…
Why not LinkedIn me? Why is LinkedIn being left out?
It’s not the boring, stuffy social network I used to picture it as. Think of a mullet: party in the back with Facebook, but get professional in the front with LinkedIn.
More than 135 million people worldwide have signed up for LinkedIn and people who maximize their profile are ahead of the curve. In this turbulent economy, it is harder for us to land jobs, and LinkedIn is a vital tool for showcasing your skills and abilities to secure employment or clients.
No more fretting and trying to cram everything all you want in a one-page resume. Other than using LinkedIn’s polished structure to display your background summary, past positions (in detail), and specialties (a must!), you can make it really sparkle by asking for recommendations. You can also actively search for connections, apply for jobs on their job board and ask questions.
While I did not exactly sit in my lab and devise this magic formula, I will say by positioning yourself in this manner, you will be closer to achieving your goals and building your presence.
So why don’t you position yourself for success? I dare you to start at www.linkedin.com. It’s very simple and I bet that you have a friend or two already connected.
Let’s make it part of our vocabulary. Get LinkedIn with them today. Don’t forget me either! http://www.linkedin.com/in/annereuss.
Bonus: Here’s a Facebook page to help you get started:
Graduate to LinkedIn http://www.facebook.com/graduatetolinkedin
There’s a free, juicy excerpt from the actual book full of resources and tips to help you get started.
Are you comfortable with getting your start on LinkedIn? What are your goals? Please comment if you’d like me to come back with a step-by-step tutorial and tips.
