If you search the internet, look at popular social media feeds, or even just speak to your colleagues, everyone has an opinion on using social media; what's right and what's wrong. Yet, there are a few mistakes which sometimes don't get the consideration they need and which a lot of people seem to be making.
Many people have been there; adding a 'spin', bending the truth or exaggerating their skills slightly on their CV to make sure they get a chance to 'WOW' in that important interview. Yet, the rise of LinkedIn and its permanency and public-ness seem to have created a breed of people willing to take this online.
LinkedIn is by its nature a PERSONAL professional profile, i.e. you manage it for yourself, and one which is used to showcase your credentials and make your skills searchable; it is ALWAYS available and can be searched by users whether or not you are actively looking for a job. It requires personal integrity to keep it honest and beneficial, both for yourself and potential connections; yet increasingly, we are seeing people add skills which quite frankly shouldn't be anywhere near their profiles!
The internet revolution has enabled more start-up businesses, SMEs, self-employment opportunities and even just part-time consultations, and LinkedIn Profiles should reflect these appropriate skills. If you are a builder, focus on bricklaying, house extensions or other appropriate skills, even people management if it applies, but surely, think carefully before you add 'book-keeping'?! A very generic example of course, but the everyday necessities of running a business do not automatically make you an expert in the field - do you really want to be found for your 'book-keeping' skills and if not, then why are you adding it? Are you really going to be able to hold your head high if you're asked to manage someone else's books?
The answer is probably no, and anyone using LinkedIn properly probably won't get in contact with you anyway, but it is important to remember, there is a big difference between having enough knowledge to get by, and being skilled or an expert in a specific field. Is there really any point, effectively misleading yourself or others? After all, it is public!
A common, and somewhat underrated problem is spelling! Whilst we appreciate spelling may not be everyone's forte, there isn't really an excuse for getting it wrong! If it isn't your strong suit, copy and paste your tweet into something like Microsoft Word first and then see what it shows up. For example:
'Bare with me' - no thanks, I'm not in the mood to get naked with you!
Sounds stupid, but we've seen this particular stunner across Social Media platforms at least 10 times this year!
There isn't an exact science for any Social Media and the best accounts are organic and interesting, but sticking to key golden rules can help make it effective and these are just two we spot regularly.
Any others which get your goat? Comment below...