LinkedIn for New Grads

Utilizing social media to be marketable in the job market

LinkedIn: An Overview• LinkedIn is the social network for professionals. An

active presence on LinkedIn plays an extremely valuable role in an effective job search strategy – but if you don’t follow best practices, it could actually hurt your chances.

Two main functions of LinkedIn:1. Forming Connections and Expanding Your Network80% of jobs are never listed. LinkedIn helps get your foot in the door by expanding your circle of contacts.

• Creating an Effective Profile• Building Your Network• Maintaining Relationships

2. Maximizing Visibility to Recruiters and Hiring Managers

• Optimizing Your Profile for Search Engines

Getting Started:

Before you do any job searching, perform a “social media scrub.”

• Google your name to see what results pop up.• If there’s any photos or statuses you wouldn’t want

hiring managers or future colleagues to see, now’s the time to delete them or adjust your privacy settings.

Forming Connections and Expanding Your Network

Creating an Effective Profile

• Photo• Headline• Summary• Experience• Additional Profile Sections• Media

Photo:

• Profiles with photos are 14 times more likely to be viewed than those without. Use a professional looking headshot to be taken seriously.

Headline:

• The wording that appears under your name and beside your photo. The default headline is simply your current job title and employer. • Make it more effective by customizing it for your

objectives (examples: Indiana University South Bend Grad & Aspiring “XYZ”).

Summary:

• The summary is like a mini cover letter and a chance to provide an explanation of your background and skills, as well as your career objectives. • Show a bit of personality and keep it to two to three

sentences.

Experience:

• The experience section is essentially your resume. Input any applicable experience, from jobs to volunteer work or even course projects.

Additional Profile Sections:

• LinkedIn allows for optional sections you can add and tailor to your background. This is especially helpful for students and recent grads who may not have as much standard workplace experience. • Additional profile sections that may

be helpful include: Honors and Awards and GPA.

Media:

• The media functionality of your LinkedIn profile allows you to upload documents, photos, links, videos, and presentations. This is highly valuable in making yourself marketable for entry level positions.

Building Your Network:• Reach out to classmates, professors, and any other

current colleagues. • Grow your network by sending requests to people you

meet at events, etc. Rather than sending the default “I would like to connect with you” message, try to customize it for the particular person (Such as, “It was great to meet you at last night’s networking event and I’d like to keep in touch.”)

Building Your Network:• Ask to be introduced to people that your connections

know. • Include your LinkedIn profile link in your email

signature, website, resume, or any other applicable spots to make it easy for people to reach out and connect with you.

Maintaining Relationships

• Share content on your newsfeed• Interact with others’ shared content• Join groups

Maximizing Visibility to Recruiters and Hiring Managers

Optimizing Your Profile for Search Engines

• The more direct way to use LinkedIn for getting a job is through recruiters and hiring managers, who increasingly use LinkedIn to reach out to candidates who may be qualified for positions they are trying to fill. • Keep search engine optimization in mind with the

wording on your profile.

Optimizing Your Profile for Search Engines

• Look at job descriptions for the type of positions you’re interested in and take note of any keywords that are featured prominently.• Add those keywords throughout your profile, rather

than trying to use creative or flowery language. • Include full versions and any commonly used

abbreviations.