Turkey-with-stuffing-in-your bellies, nonvegetarian colleagues, it's time to jump back on the LinkedIn train. You vegetarian tofu-turkey types are also welcome to join in the frivolity. We're currently on an hilarious journey through ProfileLand.
Of course, you’re in Edit Profile mode. You'll live in that mode, right, at least until this puppy is done.
Additional Information. In addition to all of the information you have provided, there are other categories you might want to consider (click Edit):
1. Websites: List your institutional, business, personal, and/or blog sites. Click dropdown to identify type of site.
2. Interests: List professional and personal interests and hobbies.
3. Groups and Associations: List professional associations, but hold leadership positions for Honors next. Here you can also list your LinkedIn groups when you join them. There are a bunch of higher education and alumni groups.
4. Honors and Awards: Create headings for this section appropriate to your achievements, such as Editorial Boards, National Association Leadership, and Awards. This is the place for your Nobel, Pulitzer, Tony, Academy, and other awards. Click Save Changes.
Personal Information. Supply your Phone, IM, Address, and Birthday, Year (yeah right!), and Marital Status from dropdowns. When you’re done, click Save Changes.
Contact Settings. Check Types of Messages You Will Receive and Opportunity Preferences. Add Specific Advice to Users if you like. Click Save Changes.
Applications. It's AP time. Click Add an Application on the right to review options.
What’s Next? We skipped some information in the Brief Profile at top and the Update box. We will complete that next. Then I'll move on to Recommendations and how to dig up Connections for your network.
COPYRIGHT © 2010 Ronald A. Berk, LLC
NEW SECTIONS ALERT
On the profile page in Edit Profile display, after the Brief Profile and before Summary, you will see “NEW Are you published?” To the right, click Add Sections. The following categories will pop up. Complete any or all as they are relevant to your background. If you’re a professor, I strongly recommend that you add Publications and Skills.
Certifications: If you are in medicine, nursing, clinical psychology, accounting, auto mechanics, hair styling, espionage, or other professions requiring professional certifications and licenses, this is the category to list them. Not everyone has these credentials. This is another category that can distinguish you from others in the field.
Languages: If you are fluent in several languages, identify them in the list. You never know when they could come in handy and give you the edge.
Patents: If you possess patents for particular inventions, list them. For example, after someone invented a better mousetrap, if you invented a better mouse, this is the place to mention that achievement. They should be relevant to your areas of expertise and skills.
Publications: I recommend picking a few of your most recent and salient publications related to your research or expertise. Since LinkedIn doesn’t specify a particular publication format for journal articles, enter Title, and in the Publications slot, enter the journal name, volume, number, page numbers, and year in APA format. A Description may be too unwieldy when you list 5 or more articles or books, but you can write a brief one for each pub if the title isn’t adequate. You can also list your books.
Click Add a Publication for each entry. (NOTE: I included my recent books in the Summary section.) (ANOTHER OPTION: In addition to your teaser list or in lieu of it, you can provide a link to your Website, vitae, or other source with all of your pubs.)
Skills: I’m not sure how different Skills are from Specialties in the Summary section. The wording is different. I recommend listing your skills with Proficiency and Years of Experience dropdowns. They should be clear and concise for clients and employers to scan quickly.
What’s Next? The bulk of your profile should now be complete. Additional and Personal Information and Contact Settings will be covered in the next blog.
COPYRIGHT © 2010 Ronald A. Berk, LLC
