If you want your content to be more believable and acceptable, it’s important to reference it. Even though it’s not as crucial as citing a scientific article, it’s still important to cite social media content or profiles like LinkedIn. So, are you wondering how to cite a LinkedIn profile?
Citing a LinkedIn profile is similar to citing a website. Begin with the individual's name (Last Name, First Name), followed by the job title or company name in italics (if available). Then, include the full URL of the LinkedIn profile and the date you accessed it. For example: "Doe, John. Marketing Manager at XYZ Company. LinkedIn, www.linkedin.com/in/johndoe. Accessed 9 September 2023." Make sure to follow the specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA) required for your document or publication. Keep in mind that privacy settings on LinkedIn profiles may limit the information you can access and cite.
No need to worry, you’re in the best place! In this guide, we’ll show you the process of citing a LinkedIn profile, article, post, and video, as well as provide you with some helpful tips.
APA Citation LinkedIn Profile
When citing a LinkedIn profile in APA Style, it’s essential to include the name associated with the account, followed by the notation “[LinkedIn page]” in square brackets, and the name of the site, LinkedIn.
As there is no specific date associated with the account, it’s recommended to include “No date” in brackets.
Additionally, it’s important to provide a retrieval date in case the page or its content changes over time, and finally, provide the URL of the profile.
For example, if you were citing Jane Smith’s LinkedIn profile, the reference would look like this:
Mary Jalilibaleh (n.d.). About [LinkedIn page]. LinkedIn. Retrieved September 20th, 2023, from https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryjalilibaleh/.
Similarly, for XYZ Corporation’s LinkedIn profile, the parenthetical citation would be (XYZ Corporation, n.d.), and the narrative citation would be XYZ Corporation (n.d.).
In a nutshell, according to APA Style, when citing your LinkedIn profile in APA format, it’s important to adhere to the following:
- Include the LinkedIn username
- Use the title of the LinkedIn page in the reference, such as “Jobs,” “Summary or About section,” “Home,” “Article,” etc.
- Insert the notation “[LinkedIn page]” in square brackets after the title.
- Provide the retrieval date and URL associated with the LinkedIn page.
Why Do You Have to Cite on LinkedIn?
As you know, LinkedIn is a professional and employment-oriented platform, and many professionals use their LinkedIn profile to build a strong resume.
Now, you might be wondering why we need to cite on LinkedIn.
Citations for content creation on LinkedIn are crucial for the following reasons:
1. To Give Credit where Credit Is Due:
When you use other people’s ideas, words, or images in your LinkedIn post ideas, it’s important to give them credit.
Citing sources on LinkedIn shows that you respect their work and helps build trust with your audience.
2. To Avoid Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is when you use someone else’s work without giving them credit. Not only is this unethical, but it can also damage your reputation on LinkedIn.
By citing your sources, you can avoid plagiarism and show that you’re a responsible and trustworthy professional.
3. To Provide Context:
When you cite sources on LinkedIn, you provide context for your ideas and arguments.
Your sources show credibility to your audience.
4. To Encourage Interaction:
Citations can also increase the engagement rate in your LinkedIn posts.
If your audience sees that you’ve done your research and provided credible sources, they may be more likely to comment, share, or like your LinkedIn post.
As a whole, citing sources builds trust and shows professionalism.
How to Cite LinkedIn Article?
If you want to cite a LinkedIn article in your work, it’s actually pretty easy!
All you need to do is follow some general rules for citing online articles in APA format.
This will ensure that your citation is accurate and consistent with academic standards.
You should include the author’s name, the date of publication on LinkedIn, the title of the article, the name of the publication (which is LinkedIn, in this case), and the article’s URL.
For example, you can format it like this template:
Last name of the author, First initial of the author. (Year, Month Day). Title of the article. LinkedIn. URL.
Smitt, K. (2022, March 29). LinkedIn strategies. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/article/example
Hot Tips on Citing LinkedIn Articles:
Here are some killer tips for LinkedIn article citation:
Tip 1#. Make sure to use correct and accurate capitalization and punctuation.
Tip 2#. Check with your school or the official APA style guide for any specific rules.
Tip 3#. Ensure that the URL is clickable and takes you directly to the article.
Tip 4#. Write the author’s name, publication date, article title, publication name, and URL.
Tip 5#. List all authors’ names in the citation if the LinkedIn article has multiple writers.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your citation for a LinkedIn article is accurate, complete, and meets the standards of academic integrity.
How to Cite a LinkedIn Post?
If you want to cite a post on LinkedIn, here’s what you should do:
1. Use the name of the person who posted it as the name in your reference.
2. LinkedIn doesn’t give exact dates for posts, but you can use the time it was posted to figure out the date.
3. Use the first 20 words of the post as the title.
4. If there’s a link, hashtag, or emoji in the first 20 words, count it as one word and include it in the reference.
5. Emojis don’t need to be italicized.
6. If a post has images, videos, or links, include that in brackets after the title.
7. Use “[Post]” or “[Video]” to describe the type of content attached to the post.
8. Give credit to LinkedIn as the site name and include.
Examples of a LinkedIn Post Citation
Here are two examples of how to reference a post from company & personal LinkedIn pages:
In the reference list:
- CUFinder. (2022, March 9). Enrichment Services [Thumbnail with the link attached] [Video]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/cufinder/posts/enrichment_services/f12l8hgy85ee98dV85l
- Jalilibaleh, M. (2023, September). How to Anonymously View a LinkedIn Profile [Image attached] [Post]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mary-jalilibaleh/how_to_anonymously_view-a_linkedin/875hjju458gt7d
In the text:
- Parenthetical Citations: (CUFinder, 2022; Jalilibaleh, 2023)
- Narrative Citations: CUFinder (2022) and Jalilibaleh (2023)
How Do You Cite a Profile in Your Resume?
If you want to cite a LinkedIn profile on your resume, it’s easy to do.
Just simply add the URL to your LinkedIn profile in the contact info section of your resume.
Employers can easily see your profile and learn about your skills.
For example, you can write “LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/yourprofile“.
Here are the best tips you can follow for building a strong resume:
1. Add a Clickable link
You can simply include a link to your LinkedIn profile in the contact information section of your resume.
2. Add a Summary
You can also include a summary of your LinkedIn profile in your resume. This reference helps you highlight your key strengths and accomplishments.
3. Use Resume Templates
There are many resume templates and resume samples available online that can help you create a professional-looking resume.
4. Use Online Resume Examples for Freshers
If you’re a fresher, you can find resume summary examples for freshers online to help you get started.
5. Be Short & Sweet and Relevant
Remember that your resume should be concise and tailored to the job you’re applying for. So only include profiles that are relevant & short and add value to your application.
How to Cite LinkedIn Learning Videos Harvard?
If you’re looking to cite LinkedIn Learning videos with Harvard style in your reference list, here’s a simple guide for you:
Step 1. Start with the name of the video’s author(s), sender(s), or originator(s).
You can typically find this information below the video or in the video description.
Step 2. Next, include the year the video was published or uploaded.
Again, you can usually find this in the video details.
Step 3. Then, provide the title of the video in italics.
Always capitalize the first word and proper nouns.
Step 4. After the title, add the platform title, i.e., “LinkedIn Learning,” and then include the words “Online Video” in square brackets to specify the source.
Step 5. Finally, add the URL of the video.
You can copy & paste the complete URL from your browser’s address bar.
Harvard Format for LinkedIn Learning Videos
The reference format of the LinkedIn Learning video with Harvard style is as follows:
The name of the video sender or originator (Year) Video title in italics. LinkedIn Learning [Online video]. Available at: URL. [Accessed: date]
Example of LinkedIn Learning Video Citation in Harvard Style
Here’s an example of how the citation might look in Harvard style:
Watson, G. (2022). Growth Marketing Strategy. LinkedIn Learning [Online Video]. Available at https://www.linkedin.com/learning/growth-marketing-strategy. [Accessed 11/03/2023]
Remember to adapt the citation format to match the specific LinkedIn Learning video you’re citing.
That’s it! Now, you’re ready to cite LinkedIn Learning videos using Harvard style in the reference list.
LinkedIn APA Citation Generator
LinkedIn is not an academic source, so it doesn’t have an official APA citation generator.
However, there is a tool called LinkedIn APA Citation Generator like BibGuru and Cite This For Me.
These platforms can help you create accurate citations in APA style for sources used in your LinkedIn content, such as posts, articles, or profiles.
These tools make citing sources easy and save time.
Overall, by using the LinkedIn APA Citation Generator tools, you can ensure that your citations are correctly formatted and follow the APA guidelines.
Is It OK to Ask for Reference on LinkedIn?
Yes, it’s a good idea to ask for a reference on LinkedIn.
As a matter of fact, asking for a reference on LinkedIn can be a great way to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers.
Good references are important for job searching.
Employers want to hear from people who have seen your work daily and can confirm your credibility.
You should avoid using the phrase “Provided Upon Request” on your resume, as it’s unnecessary.
Instead, consider including a reference sheet or directing potential employers to your LinkedIn recommendations.
When choosing references, think about people who can speak to different aspects of your abilities and skills.
Choose people who know your work and can speak positively about you.
You should also keep your references updated on your job search and career goals.
Share your career goals and why you’re a good fit when asking for references.
It’s recommended to have three to four solid references or five to seven for senior positions.
Having great references can not only help you get the job you want but also promote a positive and trusting relationship with past employers and colleagues.
What Can You Not Cite on LinkedIn?
When using LinkedIn, it’s important to remember that not everything can be cited.
Don’t mention secret or private information that could hurt your old or current boss.
Furthermore, don’t say things that aren’t true or could make people think less of you.
If you’re unsure, it’s best to avoid saying anything that might cause trouble.
And it’s crucial to know the source of your information.
Although LinkedIn is a professional platform, users can post anything they want. So it’s important to verify the accuracy and credibility of the information before citing it.
However, if you are unsure about content and its accuracy, it’s recommended that you don’t cite it.
Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that LinkedIn is a public platform, so anything you share or cite can be seen by a wide audience.
Accordingly, before citing anything, consider whether it’s appropriate for a professional audience and whether it aligns with your personal brand and professional goals.
In summary, while citing information on LinkedIn can be a great way to showcase your expertise and build your professional reputation, it’s important to be mindful of what you cite and how you present it.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that citing a LinkedIn profile can be a useful way to provide additional information about a person’s background and professional accomplishments.
So, how to cite a LinkedIn profile? As you’ve learned in this article, when citing a LinkedIn profile, it’s important to follow proper citation style guidelines and include all key information, such as the person’s name, page title, URL, and the date the profile was accessed.
FAQ
How do you cite a LinkedIn profile?
Citing a LinkedIn profile depends on the citation style you’re using. Generally, you’d include the individual’s full name, the specific label “LinkedIn profile,” and the URL of the profile. If possible, add the date you accessed the profile, especially if the content is dynamic and subject to change.
Do you need to reference LinkedIn?
Yes, if you’re directly quoting or paraphrasing information from someone’s LinkedIn profile in academic or professional work, it’s crucial to reference it to avoid plagiarism. Proper citation gives credit to the original author or source and adds credibility to your own work.
How to cite a linkedin profile template?
A generic template for citing a LinkedIn profile can be: Last Name, First Name. “LinkedIn profile.” LinkedIn, URL of the profile. Accessed Date.
How to cite a linkedin profile example?
For instance, if you were citing John Doe’s LinkedIn profile, it would be: Doe, John. “LinkedIn profile.” LinkedIn, www.linkedin.com/in/johndoe. Accessed 10 January 2023.
Does video auto play on LinkedIn?
Videos uploaded directly to LinkedIn will auto-play without sound in users’ feeds by default. However, LinkedIn has settings that allow users to choose their auto-play preferences. They can either have videos play automatically or only play when clicked on. It’s essential to regularly check LinkedIn’s settings and updates, as platform features can change over time.
How to cite linkedin profile harvard style?
In Harvard style, the citation for a LinkedIn profile can be formatted as: Last Name, First Initial(s). Year. Title [Online]. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year). So, for John Doe’s profile, it would be: Doe, J. 2023. LinkedIn profile [Online]. Available at: www.linkedin.com/in/johndoe (Accessed: 10 January 2023).