How to present your career on LinkedIn

The LinkedIn professional social network users will have heard about the importance of updating one’s profile but maybe not everyone knows quite how to go about this. 

Therefore, we will offer some advice on the kind of items that would need attention, depending on the stage of your career.

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Those with little or no work experience can hardly claim to be well-known in their field. According to an article at fastcompany.com, they need to stress their enthusiasm for a particular area of work and how this has been reflected in their activities so far – projects, presentations or participation in relevant events.

After the first two years, you will have moved on to a professional level where your college activities become less relevant. Instead, mention your skills and experience – but keep it brief: potential readers tend to be put off by lengthy paragraphs.

During the period of 7-15 years’ service, the time is ripe not only for emphasising your specialist skills, plus the ability to lead, but also to mention the network of contacts you have built up, especially if some of the names are well-known in the field and are prepared to provide you with recommendations that will be visible on your profile.

Beyond 15 years, if you have reached C-level in your organisation, it is primarily about consolidating your position as a leading expert in your branch. An effective way to do this is by sharing your ideas and opinions via LinkedIn Pulse or in discussion groups.

If you are less than enthusiastic about writing, you can always post a short video on the topic in question or add a brief comment to an already existing article. Thus you make yourself visible to the community while simultaneously adding to the debate.

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Article source Fast Company - leading U.S. magazine and website for managers
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