When I was writing my first LinkedIn eBook I created this cartoon to add to the chapter I was writing on profiles. A year later, I still see people with basic information on their accounts. They likely would tell you that LinkedIn doesn’t work.
These days, though I see more “Partially Nude” profiles. So here goes the Top 10 profile mistakes or omissions:
1. The number one mistake is not having a good photo.
2. Lack of employment detail
3. Minimal or no summary
4. Failure to customize profile URL
5. No website listed or failure to personalize web links
6. Not using status updates…on a regular basis
7. Not using applications
8. No answers or asked questions
9. No recommendations given or received (or if there are some, not having 10 recommendations received and 15 given)
10. This may get some push back but here it goes…Not having at least 200 connections
Bonus Mistake: Another push back item…hiding your connections
Double Bonus: Misspelled words in their profile…here’s a hint: type your profile in word, spellcheck, and then post into your profile.
There may be others, these were just the 10 (12) that came to my mind right off the bat. Mistakes 10 and 11 might be arguable depending upon how you are using LinkedIn.
What did I miss?
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About Sean Nelson
Hi Sean,
I love your bonus and double bonus items. I can’t understand why someone would subscribe to LinkedIn and then not allow others to LINK to their connections. Maybe there is a reason, but I haven’t figured it out.
My other pet peeve is misspelled words- in anything. If you’re not a good speller by nature, use SpellCheck. It never hurts to proof read, either! I’m always surprised when I go back over my own writing and see things that need editing.
Linda,
Thanks for the comments. It’s nice to know that a local person that I know actually reads the blog. When I first created my profile a friend pointed out 16 spelling errors. I was so excited about updating the profile that I didn’t think about the spelling. Since then I always try to first write things in word and then copy them over. Fortunately LinkedIn has added the spell check feature.
I still owe you some time to talk about LinkedIn. In June I’ll be presenting at the GNFCC Lunch and Learn, so hopefully I will see you there.
Sean,
Thank you for these great tips! I didn’t realize LinkedIn added spellcheck – I will have to look for that. Now, I have an important question for you – did you really draw the cartoon? He’s cute.
Sean,
Great post!
If the point of joining a social media platform like LinkedIn is to connect with people, then why would you not do what is required to do exactly that?
Keep up the great work.
http://www.sonarconnects.com
Sherrie,
For the cartoons I use http://www.bitstrips.com. Don’t go there though because it can become addictive.
Scott,
Your’re preaching to the choir. I think many people don’t put the time in to think about how they are building their online brand.
Sean
The reason I’ve heard that people hide their connections is because they are afraid competitors mine their clients. Would love to hear pro and con on this.
Susan,
My thoughts are that if you’re worried about your competitors stealing your client’s then you should not connect to that person. It’s better to exclude the one person and share your connections with the rest of your network.
Only those in your network can see your connections directly. Even if you hide the connections your competitor would see that you’re connected when doing a people search.
Sean
Sean,
I read your tips. Things that I will be looking at on my profile. Thanks for the great tips. I didn’t know that LinkedIn had a SpellCheck. I’ll have to check that out and go back over my profile again. As far as hiding your connections, WHY WOULD YOU? My connections are open to everyone to view unless they ask me not to allow it. I haven’t had anyone that I’ve connected with or anyone in my network request such a thing.
The only drawback that I had heard, (and I’m not sure how true it is), is that you shouldn’t put a link to your profile when applying for a posistion by e-mail because the employer could view your connections and find someone more suitable for the posistion. I don’t know if this is a problem or how true it is. What is your opinion on this?
Once again, thanks great for the tips.
Chuck,
Thanks for the comments. I’m with you in that I don’t see much of a reason to hide your connections.
As far as including your profile link when submitting your resume through email, I think you’re OK for several reasons. First, most recruiters or folkse hiring people will look up the profile of any serious candidate. They are going to compare the resume to the profile. They’re also likely to Google the name to see what comes up. Making a hiring mistake can be an expensive mistake.
Second, I doubt any of these hiring folks are looking through people’s connections on the chance they may find a better candidate. What they likely have already done is searched on LinkedIn using keywords to identify other prospects. Many of these people have Premium accounts that allow them to reach out to people directly. Even without a Premium account it’s easy to view a website to find a number.
That’s my thoughts at least.
Warm Regards,
Sean
Hi Sean,
Okay, I’m going to share my point of view at the risk of displaying my “newbie-ness”, so take it easy on me.
I think your blog is great and appreciate the tips on using LinkedIn. I want to help my network, but admit that I am reluctant to show my connections. I guess I’m just being cautious. Would you please share more of your perspective on this?
Laura,
Sorry for taking a while to answer your question I was busy finalizing the release (today June 1st) of the LinkedIn MBA and LinkedIn Marketing Secret Formula books. More information is available at http://www.linkedintuition.com/book.html.
Part of the value you provide your network is showing them how they are connected to other people. If you and I are connected your direct connections are my 2nd degree connections. If you show your connections I can go through them to see if there is anyone I would want to know. Personally I do look at people’s connections any longer. I use the People or Companies search to identify people I would like to meet or connect to.
These search results show me people within my network and I can then look to see how I am connected. If you are connected to someone I will see it by viewing their profile regardless of whether or not you hide your connections.
Another thought I’ve heard is that people are worried that if they show their connections their competition might steal their client’s. My first thought is if you don’t trust your connections enough to give them access to your connections, why are you connected to them in the first place. Once again regardless of whether or not you make your connections viewable from your profile, they can be seen in the people and companies search.
Finally I’ve heard it aid that you protect your connections by not showing them. Protect them from what and from whom. You might actually be limiting their opportunity by making it harder for them to connect to your other connections.
There is likely a valid reason for doing so, but I just don’t see it. If you can come up with a clear reason why to hide your connections I would love to hear it. Lacking that, I would recommend allowing your connections to see each other.
Warm Regards,
Sean