Case study: LinkedIn [1]
Create a great professional profile for yourself on LinkedIn. There are some super resources available online, demonstrating how this can be achieved.
Why use LinkedIn?
The great thing about LinkedIn, is that you can use it to create a comprehensive and well-rounded representation of your skills, values and qualities for the workplace. It is possible to embellish your online CV with live links and embedded newspaper articles you have written or been mentioned in, slides and posters you have created or presented at conferences, even YouTube films of you presenting them!
Don't overstate your experience
Probity is a key quality for a clinician and for most other professions too - demonstrating trustworthiness and truthfulness. This could be called into question if you embellish your contribution in a research study, overstate your clinical experience or exaggerate your capability. An accurate LinkedIn profile is an essential element for every professional in today's digital landscape.
Special interest groups
Identify some special interest groups, and begin to engage in thoughtful, intelligent dialogue around subject areas that inspire you. Demonstrate that you value and respect the opinions of others and that you can agree to disagree or even evolving and changing your opinion, showing that you are keen to learn from the opinions of more experienced others.
Grow your network
Again, it is a great idea to identify some established thought leaders (on blogs and all of the other platforms you use too), who you will actively try to network and engage with through the groups you join - people to inspire you.
Be generous with providing Endorsements and Recommendations.
Post regularly
The more you interact, the more likely you are to create a digital profile that will give you an edge over others who are not using LinkedIn yet or even social media well!
Use your common sense. You want people to want to work with you because of the impression you create of yourself online.
What not to do
Never mention individual clients, even in private groups (remember, it is a commercial platform!) and don't give out personal information including locations, names of consultants etc. Be responsible
Despite prompts from the Linkedin platform itself, it is not a great idea to reach out 'cold' to link to people you do not know on LinkedIn by inviting them to be your connection, but if you are an active and articulate contributor to a group that these people are members of, you may naturally come to their attention and a connection is more likely to be accepted.
Always be alert to the dangers of identity theft - you will be signing prescription pads and passport forms soon enough, you need to be meticulous about safeguarding your personal data and that of your loved ones. This is also essential for your security.
Try to assume the best and give others the benefit of the doubt when engaged in digital dialogue. NEVER give anyone who tries to "flame" you the oxygen of a reply in an argument. It is easy for mis-understandings to develop and quotes can be taken out of context. Bear in mind that your comments may be read by highly experienced and senior people, who have not contributed to the dialogue but can be aware of it. You don't want to create a characterisation of yourself as an impulsive hothead!
