Using LinkedIn effectively as a health care professional

These tips were compiled by CONHI Alumni Coordinator, Angie Haskovec and Associate Director for Alumni Engagement at ASU, Melanie Burm.

LinkedIn is the largest online network for working professionals which is why creating and maintaining a profile is extremely beneficial for those in the health care industry or those interested in getting into the industry, including students.

Now that you know the benefits of the platform and have a stellar profile ready to go it’s time to start making connections!

In order to make the most of LinkedIn, it is vital that you engage on the platform. You can do this by posting content, sharing content and by following or joining groups and organizations like the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation.

If you do decide to publish articles or materials you’ve written as a subject matter expert here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Keep it concise: Most people won’t read articles if they are too long. Keep it brief or attach it in a way they can download the entire publication if they choose.
2. Remember your audience: Make sure what you share is appropriate and of interest to those in your network.
3. Use a catchy headline: Readers will pass over it if it does not grab their attention.
4. Track your readers: When you post your publication or article on LinkedIn, you can see who reads it. This is a great way to see if you have new followers you may want to connect with.

Updating your professional accomplishments, volunteer efforts, awards or recognition is important as well. You can adjust your profile settings so that any updates you make will be shared with your connections. That way they can help celebrate with you.

A good place to start when looking for connections is to reach out to your colleagues. Ideally, you’ll want to build a network with other health care professionals or nurses who you can look to for information, advice and exchange messages with for inside perspective.

Speaking of connections, don’t be afraid to reach out to people and groups your friends are connected with. LinkedIn reports that it is the 2^nd-degree connections (friends of your friends) that users find to be the most helpful in networking.

One more thing to keep in mind when it comes to making those connections; always continue building and expanding your network. Reach out and connect with new peers or leaders in your field as you meet people at conferences, training or even new hires at your job.

This platform also provides a plethora of industry-related information you can track down through the search function or by following various organizations. This allows you to keep up with the latest health care research and trends and weigh-in if you want.

If you’re ready to look for a new job, having a solid network on LinkedIn will be incredibly valuable. Many companies and organizations use LinkedIn to advertise openings and you’ll be able to see if any of your connections work there. Thanks to the messaging feature, you can reach out to your connections on LinkedIn to see what their experience has been working for that particular employer.

Other ways of actively searching for a job include editing your profile to let recruiters know you are open to new opportunities and creating a customized search to help you find the right fit.

Having the app on your phone allows you to periodically check for updates and you can also turn on notifications if you need more of a reminder. We suggest setting aside some time on a regular basis if your schedule allows.

However you plan to use LinkedIn, remember it isn’t something you create and let sit. Let LinkedIn help you expand your professional health care or nursing network beyond the walls of your daily job.