LinkedIn is supposed to be your best friend when you’re looking for a job; it’s a social media platform designed for the professional actively looking to maintain their network on social media as well as a way to show off your professional side online. Often, the conversation is dominated by social media faux pas for job seekers, but LinkedIn is your chance to shine when a potential employer Googles your name. In order to put your best foot forward, though, you’re going to have to avoid these bad LinkedIn habits.

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all have their own rules and norms, and LinkedIn is the same, except that it tends to be more formal and have more rules of engagement than other social networks. That should come as no surprise, though, as it’s the most professionally-oriented social network.

LinkedIn doesn’t just make it easier for firms to look up candidates, it also helps users maintain their professional networks online. With so many demands on your time, it’s sometimes impossible to keep up with industry events or reach out to past connections, which is why you can keep up on a professional level with LinkedIn. But before you start making connections, learn the Dos and Don’ts of the platform so you don’t embarrass yourself when it counts.

#1 This is Not Instagram – Don’t get personal, political, or unprofessional on LinkedIn; this isn’t like other social media platforms. Make sure you keep it professional and related to your career and don’t forget that you’re using this platform to sell yourself.

#2 No Spamming – Don’t reach out unless you have a good reason, such as, you’ve already met in-person. It takes time to clear an inbox, so respect it the way you would want others to respect your time.

#3 Connect Without A Reason – Just as you wouldn’t send a message to someone without a good reason, don’t send an invitation to connect without a reason, either. If you haven’t met at work or at a networking event meant for this sort of thing, Montreal recruiters IQ Partners recommend including a message that explains why you want to make this connection. Growing your connections is always important, but make sure they’re real ones.

#4 Copy a Profile – There is no reason to copy someone else’s profile on LinkedIn; it would be like copying their Facebook profile. You’re out there to sell yourself and your skills and no matter how much someone else impresses you, you’ll only be caught out when it counts the most (when you’re searching for a job). Find out what your selling points are and emphasize those, not somebody else’s.

When you’re looking for a job, a polished LinkedIn profile is key, but working with some of the top recruiters in Montreal can also help you secure a great position. Great headhunters will get your CV on the desks of top firms in the city and have a knack for connecting the right employers with the right candidates. If you aren’t already working with a recruiter, headhunters like Montreal’s IQ Partners work in everything from executive search to mining & engineering, finance, HR, and legal. A recruiter will help connect you with firms where you’re going to fit the culture and have plenty of room for growth.