12 Things Not to Do on LinkedIn
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Photo from www.inlytics.io (via Unsplash)
LinkedIn is a strange platform. While it can be great for networking and professional purposes, many people seem unsure of how to use the platform well. It can lead to inappropriate behaviors and cringey mistakes. In order to use LinkedIn effectively, you need to understand its purpose and why you’re there.
So, what is LinkedIn for? LinkedIn is a much more formal platform than Twitter or Instagram. It’s designed for creating a compelling profile to highlight your professional experience and connecting with people in your field. Ultimately, the goal is to craft a strong network that helps you move forward in your career.
What is LinkedIn not for? So many things! It’s not a dating site. It’s not a sales platform. It’s not for making new friends. Here are 12 things you should not do on LinkedIn:
1) Never log on.
Having a LinkedIn profile is not enough to succeed on LinkedIn. You need to be present, actively updating your experiences, sharing content, and interacting with your network. Otherwise, you’re a ghost and you’re not adding value for yourself or your connections. Log on, post, and engage with others! Liking and commenting on your connections’ posts shows you care.
2) Connect with random strangers.
I know everyone wants to have a big network on LinkedIn and get in the “500+” club...but that doesn’t mean you should add people solely hoping to grow your network. Add people you know, or add people you’d like to know because you feel like you can learn from them. Don’t add strangers from other industries or parts of the world that have no relevance to you and your professional life. The flip side of this is accepting every connection request you get. You have no obligation to do so! If you don’t know the person and aren’t interested in connecting, don’t accept. It’s better to have a small, valuable network than a massive network of complete strangers.
3) Use an outdated headshot.
Always make sure your headshot on LinkedIn is current--within the last two to three years, ideally. It doesn’t have to be taken by a professional photographer! An iPhone photo is fine. I recently heard of people using selfies with a Snapchat filter over them--and no, that is most definitely not fine for your LinkedIn headshot.
4) Send unsolicited DMs.
This takes many different forms these days, but the worst one is attempting to flirt with random women. LinkedIn is not a dating site. Even if you see someone’s headshot and think they’re pretty, do not under any circumstances slide into their DMs and tell them so. It’s creepy, unprofessional, and all-around mortifying.
5) Not personalize a connection request.
When adding someone on LinkedIn, it’s always helpful to add a note. Whether it’s “Hey Sarah! We work together and I can’t believe we haven’t connected on here yet!” for someone you know well, or “Hi George! Your work looks fascinating and I’d love to learn more from you by being connected on here,” from someone you don’t know but want to network with, a note always helps make the connection feel more authentic and meaningful. If you meet someone new and want to stay in touch, try to remember to add them promptly afterwards!
6) Harvest people’s emails and adding them to your mailing list.
This is a huge no no. Many people include their emails on their LinkedIn profile. Why? So recruiters or hiring managers can contact them. It’s a great way to learn about job opportunities, speaking engagements, and more. It’s not there for you to add to your email list. People need to sign up for your newsletter of their own accord, not because you sneakily stole their email address and signed them up for something they expressed zero interest in. Stop that!
7) Waste space by forgetting to update key areas.
Your headline and your summary are two crucial parts of your LinkedIn profile. It’s a great opportunity to show off your personality and expertise! Be sure to update these areas rather than leaving them blank.
8) Use emojis in your name.
I’ve seen this trend more and more lately and it’s unprofessional and perplexing. You don’t need a firework emoji before your first name and after your last name! I think people believe it makes them stand out, and it does, but not in a good way.
9) Be too salesy.
I am getting so much of this lately, and it’s painful. I’m on LinkedIn to share my knowledge and to learn from others. I don’t want to be sold to. Sliding into my DMs to send me unsolicited samples of your video production work? No thank you. Instead, try to add value to others. Share useful content and answer questions if someone needs help. In this same vein, don’t DM your new contact within 15 minutes of them accepting your connection request. It comes across as desperate! Just chill and get to know them.
10) Fail to express gratitude.
At the risk of sounding like an old lady, it’s important to say thank you! If you ask someone for advice and they give you a thoughtful answer, show your gratitude. If you have a networking coffee or someone makes an introduction for you, say thank you! You need to cultivate your network, and not expressing gratitude for other people’s kindnesses is a great way to alienate folks. Don’t just take advantage of their generosity and then ghost them or never offer to help in whatever way you can.
11) Try to write one of those viral posts.
You know the posts I’m talking about. It’s an essay of 20 one-liners, projecting inspiration and wisdom. It’s a cheesy story and you know there’s a good chance it’s totally false. They go viral, they are hollow and silly, they’re a dime a dozen. Don’t try to replicate that phenomenon. Just be you.
12) Be mean.
This should go without saying, but it doesn’t. If you see a viral post and you don’t agree with it, don’t leave a mean comment. Don’t complain about your former colleagues or boss. Don’t rant about young people hitting you up for advice. People can see what you post and will judge you for it! Keep your mean comments to yourself. Be kind online--it really does matter.
Together, we can all make LinkedIn a better place. We’re not going to get rid of the useless, unnecessary LinkedIn Stories feature anytime soon, but at the very least we can stop creepily hitting on women and sending spammy sales messages. Let’s avoid these awful behaviors and respect each other on this networking platform. Happy connecting!
For more on LinkedIn, personal brand, and social media terminology, check out these past blog posts:
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