LinkedIn is the social network of choice, when it comes to professional networking. More than 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn in some form or the other. Almost any one you want to connect with in the context of work is likely to be on LinkedIn. And yet, you may not be on LinkedIn yet.

If you are new to LinkedIn, here is what you need to get started…

#1 : Profile Picture

Don’t skip this part. It’s important. No picture, no trust. Take the time to find a good-quality snapshot of yourself that you would not mind clipping to your CV when applying for a good job, and use that as your profile pic.

#2 : Headline

This is the place for you to sum up your professional experience in just a few characters. Don’t restrict it to your current title – there’s a place for that, down below. Instead, use this space to catch the reader’s attention with a crisp summary of what makes you stand out from others. Don’t be afraid to be a little creative, but stick to the truth.

#3: Summary

A longer version of your Headline, the Summary allows you to expand on what you wrote above with a few more details. Again, you can include aspects from your current role, but don’t be confined to that. Try and give a well-rounded sense of your entire work background to the reader in this section.

#4: Current and Past Roles

While LinkedIn is the preferred place for recruiters, your profile is not just your CV. Stick to the facts, but be brief in your description of each key role you played with any employer. Same goes for your education background. It’s ok to combine a few smaller stints into an aggregate, if you feel the need to do so.

#5: Connections

You may be itching to start building connections, but don’t bother sending out connect requests without first building an essential profile – it’s likely to be treated as spam. Once you have a decent profile going, reach out to the people you know professionally. With folks you have worked with closely, you can also selectively request recommendations or endorsements. Remember, LinkedIn is not for networking with your personal friends. There are other social networks for that.

Bonus Tip: Value

Lastly, keep in mind that your network of connections will value you more if you provide them value. Once you’ve got a profile going, think about what kind of updates you want to post, or links you want to share with your audience, that typifies your personality and makes you memorable to your connections.