How to make sure that your profile will go UNNOTICED on LinkedIn (and other social medias)

I recently reached 30K connections on LinkedIn, which I hadn’t realised was the maximum amount permitted by this social media. Keeping in mind, I have worked for a long time in the industry and spend great energy to entertain my very valuable connections, it did not come easy. That being said, I was faced with the dilemma to begin, yet again, another page (professional LI page) and migrate my contacts, just like I have done with facebook, or, begin the daunting task of ELIMINATION! I am a mentor through an amazing program at the Montreal Chamber of Commerce, and recently addressed my mentees about social media’s do’s & don’ts, and thought I would share this with my LinkedIn community, maybe it will save someone from a future chopping block.

 1. Don’t have a profile picture: What a great way to tell the world you just don’t care enough! If you wish to remain private, you can do so in your settings. However, do not create a public profile with no picture, and then expect people to add you to their network

2. Have a bad profile picture: folks, this is not facebook (and even if it were, you should always be well represented). If you go to a job interview, your first impression will be the best version of YOU. Same applies here. If you cannot afford a professional photographer, put on your best suit and have your photo taken by a patient friend, using a good phone and set in good lighting. Use editing apps to clean and perfect your photo. Do not have anything in the background, do not wear crazy prints and do not have a full-body shot as your profile photo! 

3. Be a social media ghost: when deciding who to delete from my contacts, I began with people who have no activity in the last year or more. Make an effort to be active, post, comment, like and share. Who knows, you may fall on an interesting article which will help you in your career. LinkedIn is not solely for job hunters. It contains a wealth of very interesting information.

 4. Make spelling mistakes or typos: really? Unless you have software dating from the 80s, this should NEVER happen! What a perfect way to destroy any credibility you may have.

 5. Have a bad title after your name: If you post your job title, that is perfect. If you add ‘I am so passionate about what I do’, great! However, what should a person indicate if they are in a job search? My number one title for dismissal: ‘looking for new projects’. What does that mean exactly? If this were a dating site, would you indicate that you are looking for a new spouse?! How about you sell yourself for the wonderful person you are: I am an HR professional with 20 years experience in the field! Or Passionate Marketing expert! You only have a few characters to grab someone’s attention, make them count.

6. Post negative comments on your page: this is true to all social media. I know that we all have our bad days (weather, traffic, stress at work, kids, etc.) Believe me, no one really wants to know. If you have a bad day, call a friend or family, and vent to them about it. If your company is short-staffed and you are overworked, deal with it internally through the right channels. I promise you that a possible business contact will see your negative comments and judge you in an undesirable way. I am not saying that you must find the silver lining when you have missed your flight and are stranded in an airport for 3 days, but you also don’t have to share every bad thing that happens in your life or industry. And please, don’t swear or be too personal! It’s too much information!

Hopefully, some of you will clean up your social media after reading this post. I promise you, many people feel this way, maybe they just won’t tell you??

Happy socializing-when done right, it can be SO rewarding!