LinkedIn can be an important part of your career exploration and job/internship search. Last semester there was a Bucky’s Career Corner post explaining the basics of LinkedIn. Today we will provide more LinkedIn resources and a list of the Do’s and Don’ts of LinkedIn.

The helpful LinkedIn Grad Guide Series explains how you can use LinkedIn to:

• Build your professional brand
• Find your career passion
• Grow your professional network
• Turn relationships into opportunities
• Research and prep for interviews
• Find career paths that other people with your interests have pursued
• Build a professional network
• Turn relationships into opportunities
• Research and prep for interviews

The Do’s and Don’ts

DON’T

• Don’t connect with people you do not know or do not have a professional connection with

  tip: Quality of connections is more important than quantity. Be strategic in setting your networking goals.

• Don’t request referrals if the person is not a 1st connection to one of your contacts

  tip: There is a difference between 1st and 2nd connections. Don’t assume that the person knows all of their 2nd connections.

• >Don’t post pictures or status updates you would put on Facebook or Twitter

  tip: LinkedIn is a professional social networking site.

• Don’t simply set up a profile and do nothing afterward

  tip: Using LinkedIn consistently will allow you to make a positive impression.

DO

• Upload a professional photo
• Have a specific headline highlighting your position or desired position
• Write a concise summary paragraph with appropriate keywords
• Ask for recommendations from employers, professors, or internship supervisors
• When you initiate a connection, add a concise, personalized, and professional message
• Connect with different groups- for example, all students should join the Wisconsin Business Alumni Group
• Actively participate in forums and answer questions
• Use LinkedIn to locate a company insider with a common connection for an informational interview

Carly Miller is a peer advisor in the Business Career Center. What questions do you have about using LinkedIn? Stop by the BCC Facebook page and let us know!