LinkedIn is a powerful monopoly. It's a vital tool for recruiters; more importantly, LinkedIn has become a "must participate" expectation in corporate America generally. Everyone you want to do business with, every potential corporate employer (or client, if you are in a law firm), every recruiter, etc., looks to LinkedIn to get more information on you. Sometimes, it is even their first impression of you.

Failing to maximize your LinkedIn presence used to qualify simply as opt-out laziness. Now I would raise a poor LinkedIn profile to the level of personal professional negligence. With that in mind, here are my top three tips for earning your LinkedIn black belt.

1. The photo matters.

Like it or not, your headshot matters; it strongly influences how you are perceived. Go with a simple business look. And smile! It won't hurt. If you do not have an appropriate public relations shot on file, spending a few bucks on a professional photo is money well spent.

2. Don't be picky.

A robust number of LinkedIn connections is helpful. As your number of connections increases, so does your visibility with decision-makers. Decline invitations from total strangers and obvious sales ploys, but otherwise just click "yes" on connection requests and don't overthink them.

For a real black belt, make a point of initiating connection requests, especially with professionals shortly after you meet them old school style in-person.

3. Participate.

The "Newsfeed" feature on LinkedIn is very easy to use. You don't have to use it like Facebook, letting us know every time you find something interesting. In fact, please don't do that. Use judgment and post items of value. Examples: Articles you write or in which you are quoted/featured, photos of you appearing at a professional event with a "take away" learning from it, community volunteer activity supported by your company, notice of awards or promotions (don't be shy).

As for your profile, take some time to draft a well written and concise introduction. You have an opportunity there to inject some personality and go beyond basic resume data. But the most important part of your profile boils down to taking it seriously. I see typos, poor grammar, and incomplete profiles routinely—yes, from attorneys. A lazy profile is more damaging than you will ever know, because no one will tell you. They just won't do business with you.

Mike Evers recruits attorneys for corporate legal departments throughout the United States. Visit www.everslegal.com. His firm also offers experienced in-house counsel to companies on an adjunct basis.