Professionally Social

I've met a lot of people lately who are either not on or do not utilize LinkedIn.  They don't see the value of another form of social media or they're not sure how to be socially active professionally.  I can confidently say that LinkedIn, when used correctly, is a huge resource for networking and seeking out business opportunities you might not have otherwise found.

Let's start with the basics:

LinkedIn is NOT Facebook

While LinkedIn is in fact another form of social media, it's intended for professional use.  Treat it as such  or you risk losing respect as a professional in the world of business.  Keep your profile picture appropriate.  Limit your posts to content that has to do with work.  Skip the emojis and selfies.  If you don't want your boss or the owner of your company seeing it, don't post it.  

Don't Add Contacts Just to Add Contacts

If you don't know someone or have not done business with them, do not click add.  Should you want to connect with someone because you think they would help you grow your network in a positive way, take the time to write a note about your intentions.  Who cares if you have 5,000 connections if they're not meaningful engagements.   

LinkedIn is NOT a Dating Site

It's entirely inappropriate to utilize LinkedIn as a dating service.  Do not hit on people.  Do not send unprofessional correspondence.  I respect people and their companies less if they choose to engage with me in any way that does not respect the boundaries of a professional interaction.  I've gone so far as to report someone to their company for sexual messaging.  Leave the romance to Bumble and don't risk making yourself or your company look bad.

Be Socially Active

Take the time to keep your profile up to date.  Spend time building your profile to represent who you are as a professional.  LinkedIn is an online resume, take it as seriously as you would the resume you send to companies you're applying to.  Additionally, engage in meaningful conversation, post content relevant to your industry, and build your brand through showcasing your work.  I check LinkedIn daily and try to post a few times a week.  It's allowed me to connect with people in my industry and gain feedback into my work.

Network Network Network

LinkedIn is for networking.  Never forget that it's an opportunity to engage with other professionals in a positive way.  Put yourself out there and connect with people who can help you grow.  Also be willing to provide growth for those around you.  And never forget to be authentic in how you build relationships or you won't find much success in networking overall.  

I've made some incredible connections on LinkedIn and even been offered legitimate roles.  It's an incredibly underutilized tool that can help you grow your career and build a strong personal brand.  And in a world where it's all about who you know, why wouldn't you want to give yourself every advantage possible?

LinkedIn - The New Facebook?

Our entire lives are based in social media.  You've got Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and about 1,000 other platforms I'm blissfully unaware of.  LinkedIn has become the social media for business.  And with the importance of networking, it's a extremely useful tool for building your relationships and showcasing your work.  But recently I've noticed that the line between Facebook and LinkedIn have been crossing paths quite often.  And what used to be a really great resource for business is quickly becoming just another version of Facebook.

I like boundaries.  I strongly believe in having boundaries in the workplace and keeping personal and professional lives separate.  You don't discuss politics, relationships, or personal issues in the workplace.  For me, LinkedIn is an extension of the business world.  I utilize a professional photo, my status updated are related to my career, and when I engage with others its for business reasons. 

More and more I'm seeing questionably appropriate photos, political rants, and receiving romantically laced emails inquiring about my relationship status or complimenting my appearance. When I see people who are utilizing LinkedIn in this way, I remove them from my network.  And I sincerely hope if you respect yourself as a career person, you will too. 

I'm unsure if people feel its a safe space because they're behind a computer, but in the workplace, these things wouldn't fly.  They wouldn't be appropriate and the people engaging in this way wouldn't be people you respect in business.  LinkedIn is a space where you specifically post your resume and identify your employer.  One would then argue that you are in fact a representative of your employer while engaging in this space.  With that in mind, would you still be engaging on LinkedIn in the manner you are currently doing so? 

Personally, I disengage and I think twice before doing business with anyone who takes this space to a personal, social level.  I question their ability to be effective at their job and to be able to separate business and personal.  If I question your judgment on the internet, I certainly don't have time to risk working with you in the real world.

I really enjoy LinkedIn.  I value the networking aspect and the ability to utilize the website to learn and grow and showcase myself and my company.  I don't think its asking too much to expect reasonable adults to think before they engage in a professional networking space. But it takes accountability and choosing not to engage with people who abuse the network.  Think before you post in general, but use common sense when you're on a website specifically representing you as a career person, and don't be caught out of turn.