a:10:{s:2:"id";s:2:"81";s:12:"cms_headline";s:32:"Maximizing your LinkedIn account";s:7:"content";s:3828:"<h2>
	Maximizing your LinkedIn account</h2>
<p>
	Over the last the last 11 years, the business community has really embraced LinkedIn. A great way to connect professionally for any number of reasons, it has the power to bring new clients, new jobs, act as an online resume, find people, and be found. Use it wisely and it&rsquo;s an extremely valuable tool; misuse it and doors may not open up as you hope.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;Think of LinkedIn as your strongest personal branding device,&rdquo; says Crystal Kessler, Communications Advisor at Brion Energy. &ldquo;Your profile can be more powerful than a resume or cover letter and is often your first point of contact with a potential employer. It has to represent you appropriately.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
	There is no single right or wrong way to fill out your LinkedIn profile. Your profile branding&mdash;essentially your image&mdash;also weighs heavily on the industry in which you work (or in which you want to work), but Crystal has a few tips to help you get noticed, get found, and maybe even get the job.</p>
<p>
	1. <strong>Fill out your profile in detail, but don&rsquo;t be long-winded. </strong>Your profile should be succinct, easy to scan, and should repeat keywords you want to be found by. Use bullet points and figures to show accomplishments, and most importantly, be welcoming in your tone.</p>
<p>
	Reading long paragraphs on a computer is tedious and you&rsquo;ll lose people quickly so be punchy! Your title in particular should grab attention and, if you&rsquo;re good with words, be a bit surprising. It begs the reader to go deeper. You also have the option of creating a customized URL for your page, making your profile more professional and memorable.</p>
<p>
	2. <strong>Join Groups.</strong> Recruiters read what kind of groups you are a part of so be strategic when choosing. Joining groups relevant to your career path is important as other members of that group can contact you directly. Use them to stay informed on industry trends, news and, of course, job postings.</p>
<p>
	3. <strong>Ask for recommendations.</strong> A profile full of glowing recommendations speaks volumes about your character and may reveal to a visitor something about you that you are too bashful to say about yourself. There&rsquo;s nothing wrong with asking someone to write one for you but aim for one per month. Getting four recommendations in a single day will look contrived.</p>
<p>
	4. Update your status. Unlike Facebook, this is not the place to be too personal or share your favourite cat video (unless you&rsquo;re a veterinarian, perhaps). Write articles relevant to your profession and link them, or share others you enjoy. Post events you will attend and include your Twitter account to share more about yourself. Naturally, be aware that your Twitter comments share the same professional tone as your LinkedIn account.</p>
<p>
	5. <strong>Join the conversation.</strong> Read what others are posting and comment or like posts. A person&rsquo;s contacts may see you and look deeper. Your status is also a great place to ask a question, or you can ask in a group. Great conversations can lead to great opportunities.</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/1785318?trk=tyah&amp;trkInfo=tarId%3A1402090588299%2Ctas%3ABrion%20energy%2Cidx%3A3-1-7">Brion Energy is active on LinkedIn</a>, posting all positions and more articles like this!</p>
<p>
	Brion Energy was established in 2010 as a joint venture between Athabasca Oil Corp. and PetroChina Company Limited. Brion is making bold strides in its aspirations to produce 400,000 bbl/d with minimal environmental impact.<br />
	To learn more about current employment opportunities visit: <a href="http://www.buildingsomethingbig.com">www.buildingsomethingbig.com</a>.</p>
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