The 10 mistakes to avoid on LinkedIn

Achieving your ambitious goals requires not making blunders, here is my selection of the 10 mistakes not to make on LinkedIn.

There are a multitude of social networks and we cannot behave the same on all. As Reid Hoffman, the famous co-founder of professional social network LinkedIn, puts it:

“MySpace is the bar. Facebook is the barbecue at the back of the garden and LinkedIn is the office “ .

The need to have a LinkedIn profile when it comes to networking to find clients or even look for a job is no longer to be proven. This social network has become a must for your professional career.
Having a credible and impactful profile, a comprehensive list of contacts and a few recommendations, can be decisive.
On the other hand, making usage errors can easily compromise the achievement of your objectives! I suggest you discover together the 10 mistakes not to make on LinkedIn.

Mistake # 1: neglecting the profile picture

Many network users have either: no photo or a poor quality photo.
Some register on the site only as observers. However, putting a photo shows your potential partners, employers or clients that you are an actor of your brand and that you have the right professional attitude.
In addition, professionals or employers often have to deal with a lot of stress. It is therefore difficult for them to easily remember “who is who”, especially if two people have the same name. Having a profile picture will make it easier for them to find you.
For your photo to be professional, it must be framed, front-facing and bright. Photos where you cannot clearly see your face are therefore to be avoided. The consequences of a blurry, poor quality photo can be disastrous, really.
A poor quality photo will not return a professional image. Conversely, a professional-looking photo can add a lot of credit to your profile .

Mistake n ° 2: having a fuzzy professional title

The title allows visitors to your profile to know what you are currently doing in the workplace.
Don’t have a fuzzy title like “Marc Dufour – Executive assistant” Where “Actively seeking employment” . Be more specific.
If you are too vague, there is a good chance that your interlocutor does not know what to expect and will not remember your profile.

Mistake # 3: not having a LinkedIn summary

The summary is essential for your visitors. It allows to bring out the profile more easily thanks to the search by keyword.
In addition, when they are looking for potential candidates or partners, they are not only looking for qualified people, but also people who share the same vision and the same values. This is where it is important to have a full summary that introduces you.
Use this space to present your personal and professional values, your added value and what you can bring. Your LinkedIn profile should in no way be an exhibition of your journey, but should be eye-catching and make you want to know more or get in touch with you.

Mistake # 4: Using LinkedIn as a digital CV

Don’t use LinkedIn as a regular resume.
If the CV must contain all your experiences in the world of work, on LinkedIn, the priority is to look after your image and sell your skills.

Don’t be self-centered.
It is more important to show what you can do for your potential client or employer rather than what you have done. Think of LinkedIn as a presentation card that sells yourself to future customers.

Avoid reciting your personal skills.
Position yourself as an ambassador for the company by emphasizing their goals rather than yours. This mistake is made by a lot of people. To avoid it is to differentiate yourself from the masses.
Candidates: note that on average, a recruiter receives 250 applications for a single online job. So think about the main benefits you can bring to the companies that will choose you.
Entrepreneurs and salespeople: your prospects are in high demand, favor inbound marketing or short and powerful messages and above all a human approach!

Mistake # 5: not dividing your Linkedin profile into separate sections

Not everything that you have undertaken professionally can fall into the same category. LinkedIn is not just about talking about your professional experiences or your university career.
Do not hesitate to register your volunteer experiences, the organizations of which you are a member, the various projects on which you have worked, and any other element worthy of mention.
Have a dynamic profile!

Mistake # 6: being passive on LinkedIn

There are currently 500 million subscribers on LinkedIn, but not all are active users. A large number of people use LinkedIn passively: looking at other people’s profiles, different offers or news without ever intervening. They therefore convey an equally passive image and do not highlight their strengths.

Learning to network is essential for success on LinkedIn.
It is important to publish, share information and be in constant contact with your network. Do not hesitate to put a link to your various websites or blogs.
If, for example, you are looking for a job in insurance, having a blog that covers the subject can demonstrate to recruiters that you have knowledge of the area and that you are interested in it. It increases your visibility in addition to positioning you as an expert. This gives you credibility and strengthens your chances of getting a job.
Understand that sharing is important, but that sharing interesting information is even more important.
Don’t use LinkedIn as a social network like any other . Posting information, such as private information, that will not interest your employers is unnecessary and even counterproductive.

Mistake # 7: not having recommendations that bring credit

Recommendations are essential on a LinkedIn profile.
It demonstrates your experience and the satisfied feedback from former clients or employers. This will make it easier for a new business to trust you and retain your profile.
A profile without recommendations is a profile that will be less credible. Do not hesitate to ask your former employers and colleagues to write a detailed and positive recommendation for you.

Mistake # 8: not being in any discussion group

Like on Facebook, being part of one or more groups makes it easier to get in touch with new people who are likely to be part of your network.
LinkedIn groups bring together rich and diverse communities where professionals from a particular sector come together to dialogue, discuss and share common interests.
Being a member of multiple LinkedIn groups can reflect the image of someone with varying interests. This can help you expand your network.
Register, and participate! Producing information with the goal of advancing your community or your sector can be very well received and, in the long term, allows you to position yourself as an expert in your field.

Mistake # 9: refusing too many invitations

Lots of people use LinkedIn just like they use Facebook.
Indeed, it is common on Facebook to refuse the invitation of people that we do not know personally. You have to act quite differently on LinkedIn.
Remember that one of your goals is to build a professional network to achieve your professional goal. Declining too many invitations could jeopardize this goal and ultimately lead you to miss out on many opportunities.
On LinkedIn, it’s okay to send an invitation to someone you’ve never met personally. However, always remember to send a prior message describing the subject of your request and the reason for the invitation.
Keep in mind that your target is watching your relationships (if you haven’t turned off the option as I recommend it here ). Do not hesitate to invite professionals working in the same sector as you.
If your network is of sufficient quality, with influential professionals in your field, you will greatly increase your chances of attracting the attention of employers.

Mistake # 10: not spelling properly

Considered as a base, it is however neglected by many people to save time. Even if the content is important, the form is just as important. A sloppy profile full of spelling mistakes won’t make anyone know you better or hold you back. The primary goal of LinkedIn is to sell yourself, also known as “self-marketing”. Even if you are competent, this mistake can cost you your place, because it shows a visible lack of seriousness and professionalism.

To read : STOP! Stop Making Those LinkedIn ™ Prospecting Mistakes

Conclusion

Follow these 10 commandments to make LinkedIn a valuable tool and maximize your chances of achieving your professional goals.
In addition, I recommend that you consult the online training to find a job with LinkedIn .
Inside, a summary of my expertise, original advice, my method for searching in 1 hour a day … and gaining 40 times more visibility.