This guide covers some quick tips on how to leverage LinkedIn to grow your professional network.

1. LINKED
Kristina M. Smith | The George Washington University | 2016
A TRAINING GUIDE FOR BUSINESS & EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS
HOW TO STAND ONout

2. STEP 1
UNDERSTANDING THE POWER OF THE PLATFORM
1 in 20
LinkedIn
profiles belong
to job
recruiters2
+332M1
+25M
Total Active Users
Profile Views Daily
1
http://wersm.com/top-linkedin-facts-and-stats-infographic/
1 out of every 3
professionals
are on
LinkedIn
worldwide1
2
http://expandedramblings.com/index.php/linkedin-job-statistics/
94
of recruiters use
LinkedIn to vet
candidates2
6.5M
Active Job Listings
THINK OF LINKEDIN AS AN ONLINE RESUME OR BUSINESS CARD. IT HAS BECOME THE TOP ONLINE MARKETPLACE FOR
JOB SEEKERS, ENTREPRENEURS AND RECRUITERS ALIKE. THIS PLATFORM HAS THE POWER TO REACH RECRUITERS AND
POTENTIAL CLIENTS AROUND THE WORLD WHILE YOU SLEEP. IF FULLY OPTIMIZED, JOB OFFERS, CLIENT OPPORTUNITIES
AND MORE WILL COME TO YOU.

3. STEP 2
CREATING A STANDOUT PROFILE
• A professional photo is a must. Your profile image is the
first impression people will have of you. Make sure it’s up-
to-date and property reflects your personal brand.
‣ Pro Tip: Leverage the header image to further brand
yourself.
• Ensure that your headline creatively reflects who you are
as a professional. Think of this as your branding statement.
‣ Pro Tip: Include keywords or buzzwords relevant to
your industry as this will help recruiters find you via
keyword searches.
• Create a captivating summary. Don’t make the
mistake of overlooking the summary section. This
is the equivalent of your 30-second pitch. Let your
passion and personality shine through here.
‣ Pro Tip: Upload samples of your work. The
more visual your profile is, the better.
Attention grabber
Hook
Visual work samples

4. • Be sure to fully complete your profile by adding
your most notable career experiences,
publications, awards and degrees.
‣ Pro Tip: Many organizations now allow you to
apply directly from LinkedIn. When adding
career experiences, be sure to provide clear
and concise bullet points, quantifying your
results as much as possible.
Quantifying results
• Include any publications and charities you are a
part of. This helps demonstrate that you are a
well-rounded professional.
‣ Pro Tip: Include what you are interested in.
Non-profits also leverage LinkedIn to recruit
board members and volunteers.

5. STEP 3
BUILDING YOUR NETWORK
Ask to be introduced to other professionals via your first degree connections
▸ Don’t be afraid to expand your network. Think of LinkedIn as a virtual networking event, introduce
yourself to people that are interesting to you. More often than not, someone in your network may
already know them and can make a soft intro for you.
Join LinkedIn groups
‣ This is a great way to connect with and discover professionals outside of your immediate network.
Ask for and provide recommendations
‣ This is a great way to build your LinkedIn profile and credibility as a professional. Think of this as a
digital version of a personal references page.
AT ITS CORE, LINKEDIN IS A SOCIAL NETWORK BUILT ON CONNECTIONS. BUILDING A STRONG NETWORK ON LINKEDIN
CAN LEAD TO LIMITLESS BUSINESS AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.
HOW TO GET STARTED:
Pro Tip: When connecting with people new to your network, be sure to customize the invitation to connect.
This helps to personalize the connection and provide context for your outreach.

6. STEP 4
MARKETING YOURSELF
• Create a public profile badge and add it to your email signature
• Create a vanity URL that ends in your name to add to your resume or business cards
• Include links to all of your other relevant online channels such as Twitter, YouTube or any
personal blogs or websites
• Post status updates. Keep your name top of mind in people’s newsfeed by posting relevant
industry news updates
This can be created in the
settings section of your profile
under, “Edit your public
profile”

7. Q & A
▸ Is LinkedIn still valuable to me if I am not job searching?
Yes, it is always wise to keep your profile up-to-date. LinkedIn can be used for professional connections of all
kinds including volunteer opportunities. It can also help to build your brand as a professional and help build
or nurture professional connections.
▸ Should I accept requests from everyone on LinkedIn?
This is generally based on your personal preference. It is always a good idea to grow your network but
quantity does not equal quality. If you are unfamiliar with someone it is acceptable to reply back to their invite
requesting additional information on why they would like to connect with you.
‣ How do I look for a job on LinkedIn without offending my current
employer?
To keep your agenda hidden, change your viewing setting to “anonymous”
in “Select what others see when you’ve viewed their profile.”