About
Team
News & Awards
Projects
Services
Careers
Contact
EnglishEspañol
News

LinkedIn Best Practices and Tips

Photo Nov 20 19 09 36 58 AM

A lot of professionals have been asking the same question. What exactly is LinkedIn used for? MFS attended a seminar at LinkedIn and found out the answer to this question and more. Read on to find out our key takeaways and tips!

Using the Platform to its Full Potential

There are several main purposes of the LinkedIn platform, dependent on what your personal goals are. Finding a job is one clear objective for LinkedIn users, as is staying well-informed via your LinkedIn news feed. But what we found most interesting was LinkedIn’s potential to help us build meaningful relationships. How to do that?

  • Use LinkedIn to establish and manage your professional online reputation.
  • Research and contact people within your network in meaningful ways.
  • Keep tabs on your posting, liking and sharing activity through LinkedIn “my activity” feed found on your profile (Hint: Anything you see here is also being shared with your network via their feed).
73% of decision makers prefer to work with someone that’s been referred to them by someone they know and trust.

How is LinkedIn Different than My Resume?

Another common question among LinkedIn users is “why do I need to fill out my LinkedIn profile? I already have a resume.” There are big differences between your LinkedIn profile and your resume. For example, your LinkedIn profile:

  • Goes beyond job hunting.
  • Goes into more detail with skills, projects, interests, certifications, and more.
  • Allows other professionals and employers to interact, learn, and contact you.
  • Contains recommendations and endorsements.

Use Your LinkedIn Profile to Tell a Story

Your resume lists all of your responsibilities and accomplishments. Your LinkedIn profile should explain who you are as a professional and what your journey has been. Your summary is a great place for you to communicate your professional brand and put your own spin on your experience. An easy formula recommended by LinkedIn?

  • 1-2 sentences about who you are.
  • 3-5 sentences about your experience, top skills, and key passions.
  • 1-2 sentences about your future goals and how other members can engage with you.

Tip: Make sure to include a summary of at least 40 words to show up in the search results of other members.

Got another tip? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you! Email marketing@mfsengineers.com.