Kaitlin Schafer, Career Counelor, Engineering Career Services Think You Don t need LinkedIn? Here s Why You Do!
LinkedIn for Students 2
What is LinkedIn? LinkedIn is the world s largest professional online network with over 450 million members. LinkedIn connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals. LinkedIn, unlike other social networking websites, focuses on managing and building your network of professional connections.
Creating your Personal Brand with LinkedIn Build Your Image! Tell Your Story! 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 4
Why is Networking Important? Obtain advice about your job search Gain employer information Uncover job opportunities 94% of new job finders cited networking as their primary mode of job searching (Wall Street Journal)
LinkedIn By the Numbers 94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to evaluate candidates Recruiters can search LinkedIn faster with 20+ smart and simple-touse search filters and recommendations Corporate talent solutions are used by 94 of the Fortune 100 companies.
How to Rock Your Profile
5 Ways to Rock Your Profile
Types of Connections 1stdegree 2nddegree 3rddegree People you're directly connected to because you've accepted their invitation to connect, or they've accepted your invitation. You can contact them by sending a message on LinkedIn. People who are connected to your 1st-degree connections. You can send them an invitation by clicking Connect or contact them through an InMail. People who are connected to your 2nd-degree connections. If their full first and last names are displayed, you can send them an invitation by clicking Connect. If only the first letter of their last name is displayed, clicking Connect isn't an option but you might be able to contact them through an InMail.
Getting the most out of LinkedIn! LinkedIn Demos
Headline 120 characters Describe you Queries are run from the Headline 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 11
How to Connect
How to Connect Request to Connect LinkedIn provides a basic message I d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn, but it s a good idea to customize your requests. You ll get a better response rate if you write a brief, personalized, polite note to each potential connection reminding them how you met (if necessary) and explaining why you re interested in connecting e.g., to ask for advice or to keep in touch after meeting at a conference. Dear Mr. Doe, It was great meeting you last week at OSU. I was grateful to have the opportunity to speak with you about XYZ Corp. and wanted to continue to express my interest in a possible internship. Thank you for your time and I look forward to meeting you again in the future. Sincerely, Brenda Buckeye Sample
How to Connect Request to Connect Get Introduced
How to Connect Get Introduced LinkedIn also let s you utilize your existing network when making new connections. Get Introduced helps you identify contacts you have in common with a potential contact. To use this feature you will need to write a note to your contact explaining why you would like their assistance in introducing you to another LinkedIn user e.g. to request an information interview. Be professional and give your contact a way to say no. Hello Liz, Sample I hope all is well. I m currently interested in learning more about computer information security. I noticed that you are connected with Erwin Dreese, an employee at IT Security. If you are still in touch with Mr. Dreese, I was hoping you would introduce me so I could set-up an informational interview. Thank you in advance, Brenda Buckeye
LinkedIn Summary Know yourself Gather the content You have 2,000 characters Be concise Ask yourself the following: Who do you want to reach with your summary? Who is your ideal audience? What do you want them to learn or do? How do you want them to feel?
Areas to help gather summary content Your most important accomplishments. Your values and passions. Write a sentence for each one in terms of the value you create/created Articulate your operating principles and the things that energize you Differentiation. Cull the things that make you YOU and help you stand out from your peers Fact, figures and stats. List interesting points that are quantifiable. Your superpowers. Describe the things you do better than anyone else External validation. Include testimonials from others while showcasing all the awards and accolades bestowed upon you (for example, graduated Magna Cum Laude)
Example Summaries Self driven and results-oriented industrial engineering student with a successful background in process improvement and quality control. Nine months full-time work experience gained through internships and co-ops at Manufacturing Inc. and #1 Systems Company. Six Sigma experience and track record of achievements in engineering project teams. Possess a collaborative team approach, excel at completing projects in a timely manner, and conscious of budget throughout projects. Skilled in the use of MS Project, MS Excel, AutoCAD, and SOLIDWORKS. Engineer-in-Training, passed the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE), February 2016 Strong academic Civil Engineering background, with focus on Structural Engineering Hands on experience using power tools, conducting repairs, and performing electrical work Strong communicator developed skills through previous involvement in Toastmasters International Experienced working collaboratively in engineering project teams with people from diverse backgrounds to achieve common goals 2018 graduating student at The Ohio State University in electrical engineering interested in the semiconductor industry. Possess the analytical abilities and technical skills necessary for creative and innovative engineering designs. Knowledgeable of electrical engineering theory and industry-standard circuit design. I m interested in learning more about internship opportunities. Feel free to contact me at Verhoff.86s@osu.edu.
Crafting Your Summary Opening paragraph / sentence: Describe the work you do and the level you do it at (co-op, intern, entry-level, professional, etc.) along with any special expertise (industry specialization, skills, top companies worked for, etc.). You can include years of experience. Next paragraph / sentence: Describe what you do currently (or what you did most recently) and select a few impressive accomplishments to describe very briefly. You can also give a concise overview of earlier experience and be sure to include awards or honors if you have won them. 3rd paragraph / sentence: Here s where you describe your personal work style and important character traits. 4th paragraph / sentence: Summarize your education and any important workrelated qualifications. Contact information / sentence: Explain that you re exploring new opportunities and provide your phone number (if you have decided to include it).
Additional Profile Tips Complete your profile to All-Star Strength Claim your custom URL http://www.linkedin.com/in/your Name Add LinkedIn to your email signature Keep your profile up-to-date Represent yourself in a positive and truthful manner Proofread your profile for spelling and grammar mistakes
Getting Involved Join groups Follow companies Reach out to alumni & industry professionals
Groups Join the Engineering Career Services Students, Alumni, & Employers Group
Company Profiles
LinkedIn.com/alumni My Network Find Alumni
Informational Interview To: Barry Alumni From: Jane Job-Seeker Subject: OSU Engineering Student Seeking Career Advice Dear Mr. Alumni: I am a sophomore majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering at The Ohio State University. I found your name through the Engineering Career Services LinkedIn group. I am interested in talking with you about your position as a Manager with Honda. I first developed an interest in engineering through my involvement with ECOcar on campus, and I hope to leverage my past experience and my undergraduate studies in order to attain my long-term goal of a career in the automotive industry. I would also be interested in learning about how your experience at Ohio State prepared you for your career. Would it be possible to arrange a time to speak briefly over the phone? I would need only 15-20 minutes of your time. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Jane Job-Seeker
LinkedIn Tips from a Recruiter Do Upload a photo Log in often Always check the Who s viewed your profile When connecting with someone that you do not know (totally OK to do) make sure to add a personal message Accept invitations Follow companies that you would like to work for When applying to a job on LinkedIn try to find the recruiter or a common connection Be open to feedback! Connect with Corporate Recruiters Don t Post updates related to Politics, Religion or other social issues Do not endorse people that you do not know Do not ask for recommendations from people that you do not know (very well) Create a profile and then never log on again
LinkedIn Job Seeker
Find Relevant Jobs and Internships: Student Jobs Portal http://students.linkedin.com 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
How recruiters find people & use LinkedIn 1) Focus on Keywords (not buzzwords) & Be Consistent -( Design Engineer") AND (FE) AND ( Construction") 2) Tell Recruiters Who You Are -Use your headline wisely 3) Attention Grabbing Summary I'm a certified (insert one of your keywords here) with x years of experience in (insert one of your keywords here). My expertise lies in (insert your keywords here) developed through (mention how you developed your expertise). Proficient in: (list any software, especially relevant ones that you're proficient in). 4) Validate Your LinkedIn Profile get a recommendation or two 5) Quantify your results 6) Engage with Recruiters on LinkedIn (groups, writing articles) 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 29
What recruiters can see when you apply Candidate name Headline below the name Current employment job title(s) title only no employment details Past employment job titles Education name of university Recommendations (# of people who recommended you) Number of connections Contact information email address and phone number Increase your chance Make contact with a recruiter! 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 30
Questions? 2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 31