With the launch of our IHRIM LinkedIn page, we thought it may be helpful to provide a short overview of LinkedIn for those who haven't used it before.
If you already have LinkedIn – Connect with us! https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ihrim-uk-112622114
What is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is a social networking site which was launched in 2003. A basic account for the site is free; however, you can upgrade to a premium account if you wish. LinkedIn is the third most popular social networking site in the world (behind Facebook and Twitter). How is it different to Facebook and Twitter? It is purely business focused. LinkedIn allows you to build a network by connecting with colleagues, associates and others working in similar fields to you.
How to sign up to LinkedIn
To join LinkedIn and create a profile visit - https://www.linkedin.com/reg/join
Your public profile will appear when someone searches for you using a search engine.
When uploading a profile picture, you should take into account that this image should be a professional photo.
For tips on perfecting your personal profile from the experts themselves –
The Basics
Connections
Connections are registered users in your network who you have connected with directly. You can ask someone to join your network by sending an invitation to “connect”. You can send an invite to “connect” when on a member’s profile or from the search results after performing a search.
There are different degrees of connection (an icon next to a person’s name in search results and on their profile will tell you if they are a 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree connection).
Different types of connections:
- 1st degree connection – Others you have directly connected with either because you’ve accepted an invite from them to connect or they’ve accepted your invite to connect.
- 2nd degree connection – These are people connected to your 1st degree connections (but not you).
- 3rd degree connection – These are people connected to your 2nd degree connections (but not you).
Sharing Updates
To share an update, you must be on your homepage. Click the “Share update” button and type your update into the text box, if you wish to add a link/image/file you can do so here. Once you are finished click the “Share” button.
When sharing an update, you can choose who you wish to share it with. You can choose from everyone (shows your update to everyone who has a LinkedIn account), connections (shows your update to 1st degree connections only) or everyone + twitter (shows your update on both your LinkedIn and Twitter accounts).
Endorsements
Skill endorsements is a feature which allows your connections to confirm the strengths which you have provided on your profile. Your connections can also add additional skills which you haven’t listed.
Recommendations
This is a written statement from a member of your network. This is different from an endorsement because rather than endorsing you for a specified skill they are recommending you and your abilities.
Groups
Being part of a group allows you to; read, comment and like posts, ask questions and respond to answers from others in the group and create your own posts within the group.
Here are a few interesting groups/connections to get you started:
IHRIM
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ihrim-uk-112622114
The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC)
https://www.linkedin.com/company/health-and-social-care-information-centre
UKCHIP
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ukchip
NHS Clinical Coding
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/766377
NHS Information and Data Quality
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2148831/profile
NHS UK
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3807989/profile
NHS National Tariff Payment System (aka PbR)
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8154525/profile
LinkedIn on the go
LinkedIn is available as a mobile application for your iPhone and iPad device. If you don’t have an iPhone or iPad, you can access LinkedIn’s mobile website by typing – “touch.www.linkedin.com” into your device's web browser.
So you have no excuse for not sharing that interesting news article or checking those group updates!
Top tips from the experts themselves
For networking tips –
https://smallbusiness.linkedin.com/professional-branding/networking-tips
For building relationships –
https://smallbusiness.linkedin.com/professional-branding/building-business-relationships