​Normally, when you are setting up your LinkedIn privacy settings, you’re selecting the audience you want to be able to see your LinkedIn profile. But there is one new LinkedIn setting that you will want to select to ensure that LinkedIn doesn’t share your content.

When Microsoft purchased LinkedIn in 2016, the integration of the social media platform with Microsoft’s products was alluded to in the announcement. In an internal memo published on TechCrunch.com, LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner identified some specific areas where the two companies would work together. These included:
​

• LinkedIn identity and network in Microsoft Outlook and the Office Suite.
• Enabling members drafting résumés in Word to update their profiles, and discover and apply to jobs on LinkedIn.

With the announcement of a new Microsoft Word feature called “Resume Assistant,” that integration is becoming even more apparent. When this feature is enabled, it shows what other people in similar roles say about themselves in their LinkedIn profiles, allowing users of the word processing software to incorporate that content directly into the résumé they are creating for themselves.

While it has always been possible to view profiles of individuals in similar roles for inspiration when constructing your résumé, LinkedIn Headline, and profile content, this new feature allows users to directly copy content from other peoples’ LinkedIn profiles. And, in fact, it is encouraged by Microsoft/LinkedIn.

Fortunately, with the introduction of this new feature, LinkedIn has also recently added a new privacy setting to allow you to omit your LinkedIn profile from showing up in Microsoft Word’s Resume Assistant.

Disabling the sharing function makes it harder for others to “plagiarize” your LinkedIn content — whether you wrote it yourself, or had assistance from a professional résumé writer.
​
One of the best things you can do to keep your content from being plagiarized is to make it uniquely about you and branding yourself so distinctively that your content couldn’t possibly be used to describe anyone else but you!

The default setting is “Yes” — “Allow Microsoft Word to display work experience descriptions from your profile to users of Resume Assistant.”

Here is LinkedIn’s explanation of the Resume Assistant integration.

Note: Even though you have disabled the sharing of your content with the Resume Assistant, LinkedIn’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service explicitly warn users that the information that you share can be seen, copied, and used by other members.
​
One of the best things you can do to keep your content from being plagiarized is to make it uniquely about you — branding yourself so distinctively that your content couldn’t possibly be used to describe anyone else but you!

Few things are more difficult than change. Change presents surprising situations and forces us into uncomfortable situations. If we are not prepared to handle challenging situations, we will struggle with change. This guide can help in stepping out of one's comfort zone and in overcoming personal challenges.

It’s rare these days, but there are some individuals who have spent their entire career working for one employer. While you think that would be sign of reliability and dedication, many hiring executives have mixed opinions about such candidates.
Dispel their doubts by tweaking your resume and approach.

• Highlight your promotions. When you’ve had a long tenure, recruiters may wonder why you didn’t seek or find a better opportunity. Showing that you’ve been promoted proves you’ve advanced during your time with one employer.

• Describe different responsibilities. Even if you lack promotions, you can show that you have managed a variety of responsibilities. Talk about all your skills from budgeting to project management.

​

• Emphasize achievements. Devote most of your resume to your accomplishments. Write a bulleted list of how you enhanced quality, saved money, and increased efficiency.

​​

• Use subheadings. Listing everything under one company could get monotonous. Break it up into categories. You can divide your history by skills or by different positions you’ve held.

1. Volunteer in your community. There are many ways to get wider experience, even while you’ve been holding down the same job. Write a newsletter for your local historical society. Help organize a fundraiser at your church.

​​​

1. Check out professional associations. Join the local chapter of a professional association in your field and start building your network.

​​

1. Look for contract work. Take on individual assignments you can complete in your free time. Get referrals by word of mouth or advertise your services through a website. There are opportunities for every skill from graphic design to horse training. You may want to check your employee handbook first to be sure you comply with any pertinent company policies.

​​

1. Network vigorously. Networking is the key to any job search. Maintain contacts inside and outside of your company. Keep an eye out for opportunities to help others. You’ll create a circle of people you can call on for assistance in the future.

• Continue your education. Recruiters may also have questions about how well you will be able to adapt to a new environment. Ongoing training and coursework confirms that you are open to new things. Study the latest computer programs or learn a foreign language.

​

• Give your reason for leaving. Asking why you are leaving is a standard interview question. Others tend to be curious when you’re making a switch after ten or more years on the job. Rehearse a statement that reflects well on you and suits the position you’re applying for.

 

• Explain your goals. Similarly, your new employer may wonder how ambitious you are. Be prepared to discuss your career objectives. Explain how you arrived at this stage in your life and outline your plans for the future.

 

• Be enthusiastic about change. Finally, there may be a perception that you’re a little stodgy. You can overcome that view by letting your new boss know that you embrace change. Arrive at your interview prepared with anecdotes about how you welcomed a new supervisor or created a pilot program to hire summer interns from a local high school.

​

When you meet a potential contact at a business event, you know what to do. You deliver your elevator pitch and set up a time to talk more. However, when you run into someone interesting at a social gathering, things can become more complicated. Your elevator speech doesn't work here anymore
 
While funerals and 12-step meetings are awkward places to do business, there are plenty of occasions that fall somewhere in between. How can you take advantage of opportunities at parties or your child’s baseball game without coming across as being too pushy?
 
Discover the secret to networking at social events. Use these tips to make connections that will help you to advance your career.

• ASK YOUR FRIENDS. If you and someone you just met have contacts in common, you may be able to rely on them to help you stay in touch. That could even include children and pets if they go to the same schools and dog parks.

 

• EXPLORE MUTUAL INTERESTS. Your initial conversation may also reveal areas of common ground. Building relationships is often most successful when you have regular interactions like attending the same gym or volunteering at the same community center.

 

• RESEARCH ONLINE. Researching someone online can be constructive as long as you respect their privacy. Learn more about them from public sources like their company website, LinkedIn profile, and Alignable, just to name a couple.

 

• EXCHANGE CONTACT INFORMATION COURTEOUSLY. Before you hand out any business cards, assess the situation to see if you’re going too far too fast. If your new contact seems receptive, you might offer your phone number or email and suggest a casual coffee appointment. 

• PRACTICE REGULARLY. Networking skills can be developed. Chatting with other parents at the park is a low-risk way to train for more challenging professional communications.

• FOCUS ON QUALITY. Networking is usually more rewarding when you concentrate on who you’re talking with now instead of trying to work the whole room. A small number of mutually supportive relationships is more valuable than having a lot of superficial contacts.

​

• CIRCULATE MORE. It will be easier to allow relationships to develop gradually and naturally if you feel like you have an abundance of opportunities. Experiment with accepting more invitations and hosting your own gatherings through platforms such as Meetup or Eventbrite. See what a difference it can make in widening your circle.

​

• RESPECT BOUNDARIES. Be sensitive to the purpose of any event and the comfort level of others. Honoring their needs will help you to make a positive impression. 

​Strengthen your network by learning how to use social events to build relationships. You’ll be helping yourself and others as long as you take a genuine and generous approach.