LinkedIn - A Beginner's Guide

Tappable's Digital Communications and Marketing Assistant, Hannah Mormone; Seven ways to get the most out of your LinkedIn experience.

I have been an active member on LinkedIn for a good few months now.

And I can confidently say it is one of the best social media platforms; I have gained more knowledge from LinkedIn in the short time that I have been on here than I have from any other social media, and I have been on social media for over ten years.

My only question is, why didn't I join earlier?

LinkedIn is full of inspiring people and endless opportunities and is ultimately a community I am happy to be part of.

It's a place to expand your business or as an individual - I started with 100 connections, and by following this guide, in a matter of months, I now have 1,000+ connections, and that's not to boast but to show that this is a platform for growth.

Here are seven ways to make the most of what LinkedIn offers by utilising its perks and opportunities;

1. Networking

Networking is essential to today’s workforce. LinkedIn is great for new job opportunities, finding mentors, or looking for people to collaborate with. Connect with people in the same industry as you or in the business you want to work for. Aim to connect with five people daily and send them personal invitations; this will help you build genuine connections.

2. Location, Industry & Education

Outline your role and industry, and let people know your city location and country, as it's important for businesses seeking your skills in your region. Always include your skills, courses, programmes and education, as this will show prospective employers that you possess the skills they are hunting for.

3. Create a good summary

Ensure you have a summary on your LinkedIn account. This will be displayed under your name, photo, role and location. Summarise your skills and attributes with a catchy opening statement, and tell your career story, including your top achievements; it's important to not just talk about work, but to highlight your personality, as this will humanise you and provide a way for people to connect with you.

4. Optimise your LinkedIn

LinkedIn is known as a search engine for employers. You'll need good keywords to ensure they find you in their searches. For example, If you are a software engineer, talk about your skills in Coding, Problem solving, software testing, debugging, HTML, etc. Highlight this in your summary, but also your education summary, job descriptions and more. Also, remember to talk about your other skills, even if they are not directly related. For example, Marketing, teamwork, retail, administration etc., will highlight your overall experience.

5. Link to past projects, websites, and more

Think of LinkedIn as a place where you can show off your achievements and abilities. Your entire profile is essentially your CV. Utilise it with links to samples of your work across relevant areas of your profile; see it almost like a portfolio where you can showcase the best of you. Include any videos, apps, projects, designs, content, etc. The stuff you're most proud of!

6. Join groups

There are plenty of groups to join on LinkedIn that will benefit you in your career and as an individual. Join and network with people in similar positions as you or in the industry you want to be in. You never know what connections you could make.?

7. Be a thought leader

LinkedIn is known for sharing content, and it couldn't be easier. It highlights your interests and allows you to build on your voice. Share theories, thoughts, advice, and lessons learnt. Talk about an experience in business, experience in personal life, and client experience. Be relatable, and always tell a story, but keep it simple. Do this through articles, documents, images and videos.

The opportunities to network, connect, and grow on Linkedin are ever-growing. My advice is; to start. Build on your profile, and start putting stuff out there; get creative and enjoy it!