A quick guide to using LinkedIn for researchers.

1. 101
LinkedIn = a professional version of Facebook.
Why use LinkedIn?
 Think of your profile as a public, search-engine-friendly CV. It’s probably one of the most
visible things about you on the web!
o Policymakers and professional groups can find the public version of your profile
to check out your credentials and see if you might be someone for them to
contact
 You can “connect with” past, present & future colleagues, contacts & employers
o Connection to a person doesn’t imply “friendship”, just a professional relationship
o People you’re connected to can see a more detailed version of your profile and
send you messages within LinkedIn.
o It’s OK to decline a “connection” from someone you don’t know!
o Connections can write recommendations about you (and vice versa) and can
endorse you for your skills/knowledge.
 You can follow news and updates shared by your connections, and by institutions,
organizations and companies
o Just like on Facebook or Twitter, the posts flow in the main “well” at the center of
your landing page. You can click the name of the posting person/organization to
see more – or navigate to their page via the “Companies” tab.
o LinkedIn also curates a news section called Pulse, which features stories they
think will interest you.
 You can share links to items you find interesting and that you think your connections will,
too
o Use the “Share” button below a LinkedIn post, or the LinkedIn button on various
pages on the web, journals, news publications or professional organizations. Or
just paste the URL into a new “update”.
 You can join or create groups of people with similar professional interests, for
discussion/sharing of best practices.
o Groups can be closed so the conversations are only seen by those in the group.

2.  You can write first-person posts - giving you a blog-like platform (complete with formatting
and photo uploading) without having to build a site!
 You can post slides via the Slideshare feature, and then share the link with anyone – or
have your slides be discovered by anyone!
 If you’re in the job market, or have a position you’re hiring for, LinkedIn offers valuable tools
 You can set the email and alert preferences to send you daily/weekly/as-it-happens
updates (or to turn them off…)
Improve your profile:
 The space immediately under your name should be a short “ad” for you
DO NOT just enter your current title (people can see that further down)
Write a punchy description of your professional self.
In the “Summary” area, you can describe your professional interests and current
projects. Using key terms and buzzwords may help you be visible in search.
 In employment history & education, use full company/institution names
LinkedIn will likely recognize them automatically, and make it easier for people to
connect with you because they once worked/studied/trained at the same place.
 Use a professional-looking photo.
 Add links to your projects, papers, website(s).
 Enter specific skills you possess – and other professional/volunteer activities.
You can even add additional information about how best to contact you, which
will only be visible to those who you’re connected to.
Start exploring!
 Many institutions now have Pages and groups on LinkedIn for their current and past
employees and alumni. The same goes for professional societies that you might belong
to. If you choose to follow/join these, you’ll see their updates in the news feed that
appears when you come to the site or app.
 Government agencies, advocacy groups, and institutes/centers also have LinkedIn
presences. Follow those that interest you most.
 You can search the Slideshare area of the site to find slide sets that might interest you.
 LinkedIn will help you find people who you might know, based on your connections – or
even your email contacts if you allow it.