I almost posted this blog post with nothing else, because the title says it all.

I’ve already told you what I think about LinkedIn here.  (You read it already, right?)

Say what you will about various communities and websites coming and going, right now LinkedIn is important. It’s one of the first sites that will come up when someone looks you up. And they will.

When someone opens your LinkedIn profile, two things can happen:

1) They like what they see, they are impressed. They keep clicking, because they want to learn more about this amazing individual.

2) They don’t see much of anything. They go back to checking Facebook or eating a sandwich.

Everywhere you appear online is an opportunity. Don’t give them all equal weight, because that’s not necessary or appropriate. You’re here with me this very second because you care about your career and your reputation and you want to build whatever it is you’re doing. So LinkedIn matters to you.

So put it on your calendar -yes, really do this- to check your LinkedIn at least 2x a year, to be sure it reflects:

• the new people you’ve met or connected with (before you forget)
• endorsements from recent projects you’ve completed
• updated job responsibilities
• new memberships, associations or certifications
• any change in title
• how good looking you are (new profile photo!); and
• be sure to delete job details that might lead someone to contact you for a job you don’t want