senior guide to linked in

Finding a job or internship using

Objectives of this presentation:

Learn to use LinkedIn in a job or internship search

Construct a strong professional LinkedIn profile

Understand how to make effective and appropriate networking contacts

Develop a plan for using LinkedIn as a tool in your search

What is LinkedIn and why should you care?

Professional networking site, not a personal Facebook-style social media

53 million users; half are outside the US,;

27% of users are reported to be HR recruiters or managers!

Why use it in your search?

Begin to build a professional network.

Connect to others who share your career interests or background (like other Hiram alums).

Identify HR professionals and potential jobs/internships

Get introduced through people who know you.

Start by building a strong profile.

1. Present yourself well.

2. Get recommendations.

3. Build connections.

1. Present yourself well.

• Write a descriptive Summary Statement • Which one is more striking? “Student…” or these?

--“Graduating senior management major interested in non-profit arts administration” or “New professional with strong writing skills looking for editing positions”

Present Yourself Well: Your Profile Picture

LinkedIn is not the new Facebook! No pictures of the family BBQ or your new puppy on

LinkedIn

Get a professional – quality photo as your profile picture, and keep it simple and conservative.

Remember that potential employers may be browsing your LinkedIn page.

Present yourself well: update your status.

– Outline your academic accomplishments like senior seminar, research, poster presentations or publications“Currently completing senior seminar research on earthworms….communication patterns of worms…..history of worm culture etc.”

– Discuss career goals and what you can offer!– “Seeking an entry level research assistant position in

DC that would use strong research and analysis abilities”

Present yourself well: Current:

Rather than “Student”, describe your next goal: “Graduating senior seeking opportunity in advertising in Atlanta where knowledge of

social networking could be used”

Present yourself well: Past

Describe your on- and off-campus jobs and academic accomplishments

Include leadership positions in clubs and organizations

Mention volunteer work, study abroad, foreign language skills

Prepare to be Googled

LinkedIn pages show up near the top of Google searches.

Make sure someone who finds you will find something interesting and professional!

2. Get Recommendations

Your profile will never be complete without recommendations.

Ask employers, professors, colleagues, advisors, etc. – you have many resources!

Recommendations help your profile show up first in search results/ recruiters read them carefully!

Ask others to introduce you to their connections(Kathryn, could you connect me to alumni xxx at the Cleveland Orchestra, please?)

ORAsk a contact to link to you directly:

(Introduce yourself, identify your shared interests, mention your skills and ask them to connect to you.)

Make Connections

Use professional etiquette: only ask to connect to people who are somehow connected to you through others.

Ask to connect for a specific reason related to your career (you are exploring job opportunities, hoping to do an information interview, looking for internships….)

Thank each contact promptly for their assistance.

Make Connections: network professionally

Stop by the Career Center if you have questions about LinkedIn or other networking

concerns

Information adapted from www.LinkedIn.com and with assistance from Caitlin Reed DeGroff, Hiram College, and Betsy Gill, Northwestern University

Coming next: LinkedIn for a job search