Workplace Learning: A Report on LinkedIn for Software Developers

This report, focusing on workplace learning, examines LinkedIn's role in professional development, particularly for software developers. It begins with an introduction to LinkedIn, a US-based business social network, and then explores its advantages, such as enabling skill showcasing and providing learning courses. The report highlights common errors, including poor profile pictures, ineffective headlines, and misuse of summary areas, while offering recommendations for leveraging LinkedIn effectively. These recommendations include utilizing SEO, joining relevant groups, and actively engaging with the platform to enhance networking and career opportunities. The report concludes that proper LinkedIn usage can significantly contribute to a software developer's career success, acting as a valuable learning and networking tool. The report also includes a bibliography with references to relevant research papers.

9/21/2019
RUNNING HEAD: LINKEDIN
LinkedIn

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Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
LinkedIn...........................................................................................................................................2
Advantages......................................................................................................................................2
Common Errors...............................................................................................................................3
Possible use......................................................................................................................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5
Bibliography....................................................................................................................................6

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Introduction
The report is prepared on the title ‘Workplace Learning’. It includes the lessons and the
training that individuals receive while working. At the workplace learning, individual gains
experience and knowledge based on the work (Malloch, 2010). The report initiates by providing
a brief introduction about the LinkedIn. The next section focuses on the various advantages that
can benefit the software developer in their career. It also emphasized on various mistakes that are
performed by the individuals on LinkedIn. Lastly, it includes recommendations to leverage the
best possible use LinkedIn.
The basic aim behind preparing the report is to provide required information with respect
to LinkedIn. It provides an opportunity to upgrade the knowledge based on LinkedIn.
Additionally, it will enable in developing the effective use of LinkedIn.
LinkedIn
It is a US based business social network developed for professionals. It enables
developing work profile that focuses on work practice. It allows the individuals to upload their
Character Vitae and search corporates and recruiters. Its proper usage allows career
advancement. It brings multiple opportunities in the career field (Van Dijck, 2013).
Advantages
1. LinkedIn is a beneficial tool for software developer. It allows entering skills based on the
knowledge in the LinkedIn profile. Individual can add skills relating programming
languages, operating skills and software. Further, link can be added of the self-developed
websites and programs. It will assist in easily highlighting the work and knowledge to the
business organization (Utz, 20116).
2. It enhances the knowledge and awareness of the Software developer with respect to
his/her field.
3. LinkedIn provides multiple learning courses to Software developer. These courses will
directly enhance the growing skills and further enriches their knowledge with respect to

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their field. Example: Flutter, NUXT.JS and Android Design (Utz, Is LinkedIn making
you more successful? The informational benefits derived from public social media.,
2016).
4. It also assists in developing soft skills among the software developer. These may include
People management, leadership, team management and team building. Theses may
benefit the software developer in their future career aspect while they working in a team.
5. It is studied that around all Fortune 500 companies are represented on LinkedIn. Thus, it
enhances the opportunity for software developer to directly connect to these (Florenthal,
2015)
Common Errors
 One of the most common mistakes that individuals make while developing their profile is
not adding picture or an attractive profile picture. Profile picture has a major significance
because it acts like a calling card. An individual with no profile picture is less likely to be
viewed by the recruiter or any interested party. Thus, an individual should develop profile
picture that will also highlight his/her strong personality. As LinkedIn is a professional
website, individuals should choose an appropriate profile picture. The profile picture
should be taken professionally with right dress code. Additionally, it should be of recent
time.
 An individual fails in developing an effective headline. Thus, they should set an eye-
catching headline that will immediately grab the reader’s attention. I can be done by
using the effective keywords. A key word should related to the work perform by the
individual.
 Individuals lacks in developing the use multimedia content. Individuals should use these
to showcase the work performed by them (Guillory, 2012).
 Another mistake that is perform by the individuals is linking their Facebook profile to
LinkedIn pages. However, this is not appropriate as Facebook features personal images,
activities and thoughts (Friedman , 2019).
 Individual lacks in using the summary area effectively. They fail to use proper
punctuation and grammar in their information. This ultimately develops a negative
attitude of the recruiter on the individual.

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 Mass requesting using the template is also one of the common mistakes made the people.
Individuals must not add anyone to show their number of connections. Instead,
individuals should focus on making meaning connections that adds up value to their
profile. This is because quality is more important than quantity. Thus, they should
develop the use of personalized request and must avoid the usage of templates as these
are seemed as spam messages.
 As per the research, it is found that individuals develop their profile and remains inactive.
Such practice is very wrong as it results in loss of multiple opportunities. It also lays a
poor impression on the recruiter when response by the individual is not given timely
(Glazer , 2019).
Possible use
1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) enables advances search for the individual and makes
him/her more visible on LinkedIn. This assists the recruits and other people in easy
finding. It also provides the usage of multiple apps like Word Press and Amazon Reading
list. Individuals should also use these apps to upgrade their knowledge and
understanding.
2. There are multiple groups created on LinkedIn. Individual should join the relevant
groups. This will help in developing network with the quality people. Individuals must
not simply join the group but should also make a meaningful conversation by presenting
them with the best version of oneself. This will assists in enhancing their business
connections. It should be used to find the solution of the questions. Thus, individual
should post the necessary query. This will assists in gaining meaningful and quick
solutions to the questions. This, directly contribute to the upgraded knowledge (Gerard,
2012).
3. Individuals should enable their profile from private to full. This will not restrict the
recruiters from gaining the required information. Additionally, individual should be
active and updated with respect to their LinkedIn profile. They should pot regularly. This
will assist them in gaining interest and attention of essential parties.

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4. Lastly, Individual should make an effort to connect the real life business connections to
the LinkedIn. This will assists in continuing relationship by initiating conversation on it
(Zide, 2014).
Conclusion
The report summarizes the title ‘Workplace Learning’. The above discussion concludes
that LinkedIn can also act as learning source and may the Software developer by enhancing their
knowledge by providing multiple learning courses. It is analyzed that there are multiple errors
incurred by individuals while developing their profile. Additionally, Linked provides multiple
usage that must be availed by individual. Hence, LinkedIn can help in developing successful
career if proper use is adopted.

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Bibliography
Florenthal, B. (2015). Applying uses and gratifications theory to students’ LinkedIn usage.
Young Consumers, 16(1).
Friedman , Z. (2019, September 21). These 5 Mistakes Will Kill Your LinkedIn Profile. Retrieved
from Forbes : https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2019/06/03/these-5-mistakes-
will-kill-your-linkedin-profile/#2181a94329c6
Gerard, J. G. (2012). Linking in with LinkedIn®: Three exercises that enhance professional
social networking and career building. Journal of Management Education, 36(6), 866-
897.
Glazer , R. (2019, September 21). 5 Things to Stop Doing on LinkedIn Immediately. Retrieved
from Forbes : https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertglazer/2019/08/14/5-things-to-stop-
doing-on-linkedin-immediately/#6402db7834dd
Guillory, J. &. (2012). The effect of Linkedin on deception in resumes. Cyberpsychology,
Behavior, and Social Networking, 15(3), 135-140.
Malloch, M. C. (2010). The SAGE handbook of workplace learning. Sage.
Utz, S. (20116). Is LinkedIn making you more successful? The informational benefits derived
from public social media. New Media & Society, 18(11), 2685-2702.
Utz, S. (2016). Is LinkedIn making you more successful? The informational benefits derived
from public social media. New Media & Society, 18(11), 2685-2702.
Van Dijck, J. (2013). ‘You have one identity’: Performing the self on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Media, culture & society, 35(2), 199-215.
Zide, J. E.-D. (2014). LinkedIn and recruitment: How profiles differ across occupations.
Employee Relations, 36(5), 583-604.