One of the most valuable social media sites you, as a professional, should join is LinkedIn.  LinkedIn is a place to explain to the world what you do as a professional, who you know and what you are involved in.  It is a great resource of information for business professionals and a showcase for your resume.  You will be able to connect with people you know and those you need to know.  It is also one of the easiest social sites to set up and manage.

Let’s get started

• Navigate to http://linkedin.com and click to sign-up.

• Complete your profile. Really, complete your profile - the more information the better!

• Upload your resume.

• Add applications like Slideshare to share PowerPoint presentations, links to your blog, your Twitter feed and even your Amazon reading list.

• Look for people you know.  LinkedIn will offer to help you with this by using your Outlook contacts.

• Get recommendations from other LinkedIn users that have worked with you.

• Search for groups that share your interests and join!  This is a great way to share your expertise, keep up with industry trends and meet new people.

• And, never forget to let those that visit your website know you are on LinkedIn.  LinkedIn offers a number of great buttons that you can add to your website.  To do that edit your profile and click on “customized buttons” next to “Promote your profile.”  You can choose the look of the button, then copy the html and paste into your website.