by Monique Hodgkinson

Back in 2003, I learned about a new Web site that allowed me to connect online with colleagues from the past. This site was LinkedIn, a social network specifically designed to allow users to build their profiles based on work history. It made perfect sense to me. I had made a career transition from the corporate world to self-employment. I was working alone most of the time. LinkedIn gave me a way to stay connected to my corporate roots, by making it easier to maintain my professional network..

At first, LinkedIn was a much smaller tool than it is today. You signed up, filled in information about companies where you had worked, and invited others who worked for the same company to connect. Now, LinkedIn is a much broader tool. Features that have been added over the years include a job board, special interest groups, third-party applications, recommendations and status updates..

To build your LinkedIn network, you start by building your profile. Don’t worry about not being able to remember everything that you want to include; you will be able to update and revise your profile at any time. After your profile is built, you search for connections based on companies that you work for or groups that you are part of. It is a good practice to search periodically for new connections that may have joined LinkedIn since you last looked..

Many of the features available on LinkedIn seem similar to features on other social networking sites. The main difference is the intention of the site. Applications on LinkedIn are geared toward professional presentation, rather than entertainment. Examples of third-party applications available on LinkedIn include slideshows, reading lists, presentations and file-sharing management..

I’ve joined a number of groups on LinkedIn that pertain specifically to companies that I have worked for, topics that I am interested in and professional organizations. I monitor which discussions I want to read via the e-mail that is sent automatically from LinkedIn, notifying me of updates within my network. Participating in group discussions is a great way to maintain your professional presence, which is what LinkedIn is all about.

When looking for work, LinkedIn is an ideal forum, since the focus is professional networking. The job search allows users to view not only jobs, but who they know who may be able to connect them with the hiring manager and company.

Another feature that I find very beneficial on LinkedIn is the built-in mechanism that allows others who have worked with you to leave recommendations. Word of mouth is very powerful for building your own personal brand, especially if you are looking for a job or new clients. LinkedIn recommendations are often viewed by prospective employers to gauge your business effectiveness. Whether you are looking for full-time employment or offering consulting services, recommendations will help you.

As with any social network, don’t lose sight that whatever you post may be online for a very long time. Always be professional!

Monique Hodgkinson is the founder of Screen Caffeen, specializing in Internet strategy development, social media marketing, SEO and web design. Screen Caffeen will wake up your online presence. Visit screencaffeen.com, send e-mail to Monique@screencaffeen.com, call 650-740-1491, or follow @screencaffeen on Twitter.