Lord knows I’ve had my problems with Linkedin. I’ve long felt that the design of the site is a bit on the bland side. In general, it can be difficult to figure out how to make use of the connections you have there. I also find it is easier to communicate with friends using chat, Skype, Twitter, Facebook or any number of other services, rather than Linkedin’s clunky message system.

Drawbacks aside, Linkedin can in fact can be a helpful tool when it comes to searching for new connections in your field or geographic area. The site’s groups feature can also be helpful for people looking to build their network or make friends. I like checking out the companies that have created their own Linkedin profile.

Getting started on Linkedin takes a bit of work, but it’s worth it. As the following guide mentions, your Linkedin profile is most likely going to be ranked in the top 5 if you search for your first and last name together on a major search engine. You want to get it right – right away.

via Mindflash