5 LinkedIn dos and don’ts for PR newbies

On the job hunt? LinkedIn is a great place to network and look for a job. Just make sure you’re using it correctly.

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These recent activities reminded me that LinkedIn serves as an incredibly powerful tool for job seekers, but forgetting proper etiquette can hurt your chances of forming relationships and finding your first post-grad gig.

Inspired by a LinkedIn etiquette post on the Frankly Faye blog, I compiled LinkedIn dos and don’ts geared toward career-hungry college seniors.

Do: Share a personal message when asking to connect (especially if you do not know the contact well).

I cannot stress this enough. Unless you’ve known the professional for years or worked together on a regular basis, you should always include a personal message when connecting via LinkedIn.

LinkedIn’s default message isn’t personal and—let’s face it—most people don’t remember every face and name. If you haven’t chatted with the professional for several months, do the PR pro a favor by reminding him or her how you met.

Moreover, if you’ve never met the professional before, explain why you want to connect with him or her.

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