Thing 13: Professional networks

Learn about LinkedIn and how you can manage your professional online identity.

Open Badge information

Open Badge: SSSC 23 Things Digital- Thing 13: Professional Networks

Counts towards: SSSC 23 Things Digital: Social Media Champion

Introduction

Even if you’re comfortable mixing your personal and work life online, it’s a good idea to have a space which is purely for your work (professional) identity.

LinkedIn is the biggest social media platform for work or professional network and activities. It’s a way to showcase your employment history, professional knowledge, skills, interests and achievements. It’s also a place to look for jobs and many employers look at LinkedIn profiles when considering employing people.

Instructions

a) Read What Is LinkedIn and Why Should You Be On It?

b) Sign up for an account (or log in if you already have one), review and update your profile. Add the skills you want others to know about to your profile. People in your network can ‘endorse’ those skills to vouch for your abilities, and you can do the same for them.

c) Groups

There are many groups on LinkedIn which are relevant to social services in Scotland. Groups provide opportunities to speak to others with similar interests and discuss topics you may find interesting. Here are a few ideas to get you started and we encourage you to find others.

Social Care Network Scotland

Social Work Forum

Open Badges in Scotland

Some groups require your application to join to be approved by an administrator, so you may have to check back later.

If you are an experienced LinkedIn user, why not try starting your own group?

d) Blog

Write a blog post of at least 100 words reflecting on the above activities. Include your thoughts about having and managing an online work or professional identity and provide a link to the LinkedIn group(s) you discovered. We also encourage you to also post a link to your own profile so you can connect with other social services workers across Scotland.

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