You don’t need to be a LinkedIn power user — or shell out for a premium account — to get the most out of the No. 1 professional social network. You just need to know how to maximize the time you put into using it.
In this week’s roundup, we look at expert advice on using a feature you’ve probably filled out and forgotten — the education section. That, plus the terrible advice people give bullied workers and the ways you might be stressing yourself out, in this post.
Laura Smith-Proulx at Job-Hunt: Hidden LinkedIn Networking Tool: Education
“LinkedIn’s Education section (also called College Alumni) is one of the site’s hidden gems that can make your networking activity much easier,” Smith-Proulx writes. “Tucked under the menu options at the top, Education isn’t just for planning a college entrance; it’s also a high-ROI tool that can help open doors for any former student (even if you didn’t graduate).”
To use this feature, you’ll need to fill out your education section and make a few tiny tweaks to your profile. Smith-Proulx walks you through the process, here.
Rose Leadem at Entrepreneur: Bullied at Work? A New Study Says You Might Be Handling It All Wrong.
“Victims of workplace bullying receive a lot of advice from friends, family and colleagues on how to react to a toxic situation, however it’s not very useful, according to a new study,” Leadem writes.
For example, bullied workers are often told to quit, ignore the bullying, or stand up for themselves. The twist, according to researchers: most did nothing, fearing retaliation. Worst of all, many former victims of workplace bullying passed on the same useless advice when asked for their insight.
So, what’s the answer? There isn’t an easy one. But, understanding the complexity of the situation is a good first step. More on this research, here.
Frank Sonnenberg at his blog: Stressed Out? You May Be Doing It to Yourself
“Stress and anxiety have a detrimental impact on your health, your relationships, and the quality of your life,” Sonnenberg writes. “Unforeseen events and external forces beyond our control create some of the stresses that we experience every day; other times we’re simply doing it to ourselves. Is stress inflicted on you — or created by you?”
For example, if you always wait to the last minute, never say no, or often try to control the uncontrollable, you may be making life tougher than it needs to be. Sonnenberg offers more self-inflicted stressors to watch out for, at his post.
Tell Us What You Think
What’s the best career advice you’ve read this week? We want to hear from you. Tell us your thoughts in the comments or join the conversation on Twitter.
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