Building Your Professional Network on LinkedIn

inkedIn is a powerful professional networking platform that can help you stay connected with colleagues, industry professionals, and potential employers.

As an older professional, LinkedIn can be a valuable resource for building and maintaining your professional network, staying up-to-date on industry news and trends, and showcasing your skills and experience.

In this article, we'll provide tips for using LinkedIn effectively as an older professional, including how to complete your profile, connect with people you know, join relevant groups, and participate in discussions. By following these tips, you can effectively use LinkedIn to build and maintain your professional network and stay connected with others in your field.

Complete your profile

Completing your LinkedIn profile is crucial to creating a professional image on the platform. This includes having: 1.) professional headshot, 2.) a concise summary of your skills and experience, and 3.) showcasing relevant work samples or a portfolio.

A clear headshot with good lighting and a neutral background can make a significant impact on your profile's overall appearance, while a concise summary with relevant keywords can help you appear in search results. Additionally, showcasing your work samples or portfolio can demonstrate your expertise and experience in your field.

Connect with people you know

Using LinkedIn to connect with your professional network can be a valuable way to expand your network and stay connected with people you know. By connecting with colleagues, classmates, and industry professionals on LinkedIn, you can build a network of professionals who can provide support, advice, and opportunities for growth and development.

You can use LinkedIn to stay in touch with people you know and to keep up-to-date on their professional activities and accomplishments. You can also use LinkedIn to connect with new professionals in your field, which can help you to expand your network and open up new opportunities. Building and maintaining a strong professional network can be beneficial for a variety of reasons, including finding job opportunities, seeking advice or support, and staying up-to-date on industry trends and developments.

Take our networking class taught by older adults, designed for older adults: Networking for Results

Read More on Networking: 5 Tips to Help You Network as an Older Professional

Join relevant groups

Joining relevant groups on LinkedIn can be a helpful way to stay connected with others in your industry or profession. These groups can provide a platform for discussing industry news and trends, sharing knowledge and resources, and networking with others who have similar interests or backgrounds.

By participating in these groups, you can keep up-to-date on the latest developments in your field and expand your professional network. It is a good idea to join groups that are specifically related to your industry or profession, as well as any other groups that may be of interest to you. This can help you to stay engaged and informed, and can also provide valuable opportunities for professional development.

Participate in discussions

Participating in discussions on LinkedIn can be a helpful way to build your professional brand and establish yourself as an expert in your field. By engaging in discussions in groups or on your own profile, you can share your knowledge and insights, ask questions, and engage with others in your industry or profession. This can help you to build your reputation as a thought leader and can also provide valuable opportunities for learning and professional development.

When participating in discussions, it is important to be respectful and considerate of others' viewpoints, and to contribute valuable and insightful content. This can help you to build positive relationships and to establish yourself as a respected and credible member of your professional community. Overall, participating in discussions can be a valuable way to build your professional brand and to connect with others in your field on LinkedIn.

Use LinkedIn to research potential employers

LinkedIn can be a useful tool for researching potential employers and learning more about their company culture and job opportunities. By searching for a specific company on LinkedIn, you can view their company profile, which may include information about their size, industry, location, and mission.

You can also see the profiles of current and past employees, which can give you a sense of the company's culture and the types of professionals who work there. Additionally, you can use LinkedIn to see if the company has any job openings or to find out more about the hiring process. By doing your research on LinkedIn, you can get a better sense of whether a specific company is a good fit for you and your career goals.

Read More: Get Hired: Keywords to Use on LinkedIn and Resume Sites

Use LinkedIn to showcase your skills and experience

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for showcasing your skills and experience and getting hired. By creating a comprehensive LinkedIn profile, you can highlight your professional accomplishments and skills, and showcase your experience and education. This can help you to stand out to potential employers and can make it easier for them to find and contact you.

Overall, LinkedIn can be a valuable tool for networking and staying connected with professionals in your field. By following these tips, you can effectively use LinkedIn to build and maintain your professional network.

Learn more:

• Watch our class on LinkedIn and get started building your profile. Watch the full class here: LinkedIn Profile: The Basics‍
• Even Introverts Can Network Effectively‍