Is Linkedin a Professional Playground or Serious Social Media?

These days everyone is buzzing about how social media is a must have for businesses. It's true, some sites are more equal than others when it comes to adding up the advantages, but there is always one site that professionals seem to gravitate to — Linkedin.

Maybe the reason Linkedin is the social media site of choice for professionals is because people like the way it looks, or maybe its because there's a little of the voyeur in all of us. Look, but don't engage in "the conversation" unless you are invited, right? A Linkedin user can browse around the site, search for particular industries and groups to join, and read up on what other people are saying about themselves (and others). Like most social media sites, nothing is entirely private, so there are some things to consider when poking around into someone's profile, and updating yours.

If you have a basic account, you can't actually see who's been viewing your profile, but there are plenty of people who are looking. These days if there's an interest in a particular skill set, you can bet your profile has been viewed. The lesson here is that smart Linkedin users make sure their information is accurate, up-to-date and more importantly — professionally managed.

Outdated information, not keeping up with getting that new head shot, and bad grammar (like those pesky homophones: "The principal reason they have principles is to provide good advice") would not be the way you manage your professional life. Since the site is tailored to professionals, what you write or post should reflect the business side of your personal brand. Before you button down those shirts, don't forget to include a little something that makes you unique — and human. It's important to remember that business articles and group opinions will impact you from a serious perspective (you know, write it for those people who are paying attention to that type of stuff). Show that you actually are a human being who believes in the social contract (it says a lot about your character) in a job market that gives new meaning to the word "tough".

Thinking about what people read on your Linkedin profile will affect your job search, and have an effect on your professional success. 

— Carolyn Munoz, MA, Chief Social Media Officer for CAP Global, Inc.
We want to create, grow and listen — we love suggestions about how to improve the quality of our content so we can improve our social media presence. We will continue to focus on the needs of our customers and prospects and tie in to your lifestyle interests along the way. We won't limit our reach to the usual suspects, and Carolyn will continue to post informative and interesting items on our blog and other social-sharing sites. If you have any suggestions, or recommendations, please give Carolyn a shout out — we welcome the feedback!