LinkedIn Etiquette Fails: 4 Mistakes That Will Make You Look Unprofessional

13 Jul LinkedIn Etiquette Fails: 4 Mistakes That Will Make You Look Unprofessional

By James Mulvey

Everyone can spot bad office etiquette when they see it: taking loud personal calls at your desk, cooking an Atlantic salmon in the office microwave, or bringing vicious dogs to meetings. But how aware are you of bad LinkedIn etiquette? For you and me—dear, smart, and socially advanced reader—these LinkedIn etiquette mistakes will seem like common sense. Yet, they still happen every day. Have your own LinkedIn etiquette tip? Please do share in the comments section below.

1. Connecting with a hiring manager before your interview

Oh yes, it is exciting. The dream job. The first foot almost in the door. And then the tempting LinkedIn notification the night before the interview: “Jas Diamond, hiring manager at Your Dream Company, just viewed your LinkedIn profile.” What to do? What to do?

Send a LinkedIn request? They did view your profile. Might be a good chance to show that YOU REALLY WANT THIS JOB.Sending a connection request to a hiring manager—or anyone else you don’t already know at the company—before your first job interview is a bit too personal. The hiring manager is trying to interview multiple candidates and it’s not necessary to connect with them.

Here’s a better plan. Wait until you get the job offer or at least till after the interview. Or wait until the hiring manager connects with you first.

2. Endorse! Endorse! Endorse!

I’ve got skills. You’ve got skills. She’s got skills. Shouldn’t we all just endorse one another? A few years ago, I got a job at Hootsuite. As you may know, we offer social media management software. My sister calls me up and says, “Mom and Dad are really proud of you. They say you got a job as an executive at a candy factory? Something ‘tootsuite.’” We definitely do not make candy. And I’m no executive. A few days later, someone I know (let’s just call him my Dad*) endorsed me on LinkedIn for “conversion optimization,” a skill I’m sure he’d have a hard time connecting back to what a fictional candy factory executive does all day. My parents have a vague idea of what I do for a living. That’s okay. In general, avoid endorsing people you haven’t worked with. It keeps everyone professional and honest. *It’s okay if I poke fun at my Dad in this article as he won’t ever see it.* View Full Article >>

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