Does Your LinkedIn Post Pass This Quiz?

Rachel Becker, LMSW on September 10, 2015

tags: LinkedIn, Online Reputation Management

Social media sites like Facebook and Instagram have made it easier than ever to stay connected to loved ones. For cancer survivors specifically, sites such as CaringBridge.com and MyLifeLine.com provide a valuable experience of community and support during and after treatment. But when it comes to work and our professional lives, there is one social media platform that is in a category unto itself: LinkedIn. As such, the site is best used by following certain “rules of the road.” 

A recent article published by The Muse suggests asking yourself these three questions before publishing to your LinkedIn profile:

  1. “What does this contribute to my professional image?” 
    Does your impending post paint you as smart and motivated, illustrate a recent accomplishment, or otherwise characterize you as a valuable asset to current or potential future employers? If you’re not sure, reconsider your urge to share.
  2. “Would I feel comfortable bringing this up in a job interview or formal meeting?” 
    Your #1 goal in an interview should always be to discuss your qualifications as a candidate, just as the top priority at a meeting is to discuss a specific project. Similarly, LinkedIn should be viewed as a forum for creating your own professional, online brand.
  3. “Am I posting this same thing on Facebook?”
    With LinkedIn, the emphasis is on “networking,” not “socializing.” And while you may cross over to share news about a new job on both platforms, your vacation pictures and birthday party invites are for Facebook alone.

We recently held a webinar on building an effective LinkedIn profile, which addressed some concerns that cancer patients and survivors have about posting to their LinkedIn page, such as, “How can I de-emphasize a gap in employment on my profile?” and “Can I use an old photo if I am currently experiencing physical side effects of treatment?” To watch a video recording of this webinar, click here.

For more information on using LinkedIn and creating a professional online brand, check out the following Cancer and Careers resources: