LinkedIn is a very useful professional networking site that helps you connect to colleagues, coworkers, and most importantly, potential employers. There are quite a few ways to go about using LinkedIn to expand your professional horizons, but there are some dos and don’ts when it comes to online etiquette.
As you add connection, and groups, to your LinkedIn profile make sure the people you connect with are those of whom you have a certain relationship with. A coworker, previous employer or supervisor, or even someone who works within the same industry as you are all perfectly fine examples of the types of people you want to have as your connections. Over connecting will likely result in many people ignoring you, and could potentially cause your account to be banned. However, do not be afraid to connect with those people whom you do share a link with. Furthermore, if you are connecting with someone that you believe would be a very valuable connection to have, take the time to customize your connection invitation. Instead of the default “I’d like to add you to my Professional Network” say something personal to convey that this person’s connection is important enough to warrant the extra effort.
The key to success when using LinkedIn lies within the ability to consciously decide who is, and who is not, worth adding to your connections. As long as you take the time to add those with whom you share a professional link, and provide quality invitations to those whom the extra effort warrants, you will find the most success when contacting potential employers.
