How to Create an Account on LinkedIn

25 de abril de 2013

How to Create an Account on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a social networking site used specifically for professional purposes. You can use it to connect yourself to your existing professional network as well as expand your network to your secondary and tertiary connections through those you already know. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles that other social networking sites have, and really works to serve its core purpose. Creating an account and getting started is easy, just follow the steps below:

Edit Steps

Go to LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com. If you want to learn more, click on the “What is LinkedIn?” option on the menu across the top of the page. If not, go ahead and sign up by entering you name, email and a password in the “Join LinkedIn Today” box on the right of the screen.

Confirm your account through your email address. Once you’ve done this, sign in and get started.

Edit your profile. Editing and updating your profile is quick and easy, so there’s absolutely no need for advanced technical know-how. Enter you sub-heading, area and industry underneath your name, and add a profile picture of yourself.

Editing your profile

Edit your qualifications. Add your current and past employment as well as your education. Be sure to include descriptions of your past jobs and degrees earned––this way, people will be able to more clearly see your experiences and know what to contact you for. LinkedIn can also tailor job suggestions to send you if you've provided adequate details.
- Keep your details short, sweet, and informative.

Add a Summary. This is a chance to write a more in-depth paragraph to give people an idea of where you stand now in your career, what your strengths are, where you want to go and what you have to offer. Although it's a summary, it can take some time to write a good one, so don't be afraid to edit it ruthlessly until it reads well.

Add Specialties. This is located directly below. It acts as an extension of the Summary section but in short form. You can list specific skills and areas of expertise.
- Choose wisely––other members of LinkedIn can endorse you for these specialties, so avoid choosing something people don't have any clue you're capable of doing!

Add Connections. You can have LinkedIn search through your email address book to find people you know. You can also search by a person’s name, job title or company.

Find your connections through your email's address book

Add Websites. Link in your company’s website, your own personal site, your blog, and/or your Twitter account. This will allow visitors to your page to see different aspects of your professional self.

Link in your websites or other social media pages
- Be cautious of linking in your Facebook page if you have questionable photos of yourself, or to your Twitter account, depending on the language of your tweets.

Get Recommendations. If you’re trying to find a job through LinkedIn, it is suggested that you have at least three professional recommendations. Ask your former bosses or colleagues. Return the favor and recommend others as well.

Add Applications. These are not necessary, but having them can make your profile more complete. For example, you can add Blog Link for a stream of your blog or other website updates. You can add the ReadingList application by Amazon to let everyone know what books you’re reading and which ones you recommend. With other applications, you can share files or presentations.

LinkedIn offers a wide variety of professional applications to choose from.

Edit Tips

When posting an update, something like a Facebook status update, that will be visible on the home pages of your connections, be sure to keep it general, positive and professional. Importantly, don’t give people an unwanted look into your personal life or anything unprofessional.

As you become more familiar with using LinkedIn, consider joining some of the groups hosted by members of LinkedIn that focus on areas of your interest. You can meet a lot of relevant new people through this, as well as share ideas, comments and hold online events together.