Things Not to Include in a LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is a social network that is primarily used for professional connections. People will see your LinkedIn profile when they search you on LinkedIn, so it's important to know what you should and shouldn't include. This article examines what you should not include in your profile.
1. Inappropriate pictures and videos:
LinkedIn is an online business network. It's a professional social network, which means you may be posting pictures and videos that don't show the most professional side of your lives. You should always avoid putting photos of yourself drinking alcohol during a work meeting, participating in a party without your colleagues, or partying.
LinkedIn has made it clear that they're not interested in posting pictures/videos that are inappropriate for their business networking site. If you're going to upload photos and videos to your profile and plan on using them in promotions like LinkedIn ads, make sure they're appropriate.
2. Unprofessional profile picture:
Your profile picture is kind of like a business card on LinkedIn. It's how people will recognize you and how they will remember you. It would help if you never put your full body picture or a selfie as your profile picture. Instead, think about what message you want to send to the people who connect with you on LinkedIn, and then pick a profile photo that represents that message.
3. Political, racial, or religious banter:
LinkedIn is a social network used for professional networking; therefore, it's not the place to debate politics, religion, or race. You should never get into arguments with other people on LinkedIn, even if they are different from you. You don't know where that person works or gets their news from.
4. Criticism of an organization or person:
If you've been fired or disagree with an organization or a person's leadership, don't post it on your profile. You may think that your opinion is correct, but others may not see it that way. Don't pick someone to criticize and start creating posts about how they're incompetent, ignorant, etc. It doesn't look good to other people on LinkedIn searching for info about that organization.
Especially in the first few months of starting as a new business owner, it can be tempting to want to talk about all the mistakes you made when you first started your company/business. But don't do that. Get over it, learn from it, and move on. Don't talk negatively about people or other businesses.
5. Personal information:
You might think you include the most important information in your profile. Still, all that personal information is like the legal stuff you'd include in a resume because you want people to know who you are and what skills you have. It's only for your use and LinkedIn members you want to contact, so don't be tempted to put all that info into your profile because it's free or easy to get.
6. Grammatical errors:
LinkedIn is a business network, so you want to be smart about your words and how you use them when you post messages on LinkedIn. Your grammar and spelling should be of the highest quality -- or at least professional. Be aware that anyone could search for your profile, go to your profile, and see it as a first impression of you. You want that first impression to be good and positive.
7. Not having a profile picture:
What I like best about LinkedIn is that it's an easy way for me to keep up with my friends and colleagues who've moved on to other careers, businesses, or other places in life. It's great to see pictures of them, learn about their new businesses or jobs, and then connect and keep in touch.
8. Offensive or disrespectful remarks:
Do not insult people, their companies, or their achievements. Do not say things that are rude, demeaning, or disrespectful to other people. When you post something on LinkedIn that makes a person uncomfortable or offended and choose to comment on it, others on LinkedIn might see those comments to indicate your overall character. Before you write anything, think about what you're going to say and make sure it's respectful and constructive.
LinkedIn is a business networking site and not a place for jokes about religion or politics. When you post on LinkedIn, be sure that what you're sharing is professional and positive. Above all, make sure your profile picture is clean and appropriate.