What is Linked In?

With Linked In, users can manage the information that's publicly available, find and be introduced to recommended potential clients, service providers, and businesses, as well as create and collaborate on projects, gather data, share files and solve problems.

The advantage of Linked In is that users can network with likeminded professionals in private group settings as well as discover inside connections that can help you land jobs and close deals.

On the profile page, people list their current job title for their headline, while others use it to display their main area of expertise. Your headline is important because it appears in a prominent place on your profile and is displayed next to your name in search results.

There is also a space to list your areas of specialties and expertise. This is the part of your profile that highlights your skills. Describe exactly what you do in descriptive, succinct phrases.

As you type in your 'Company Name', LinkedIn will show you companies with that name who are already on LinkedIn. If you choose one of their suggestions, make sure it is your company and not another one with the same name. If you choose a company that is new to LinkedIn, they will request more information about it for their records.

You can add multiple previous jobs to your Experience section. Make sure that the jobs you list are relevant to your current career.

LinkedIn gives you the option to include some personal information on your profile. Whether or not you fill this out depends upon what information you're comfortable sharing with other LinkedIn users.