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Launch Your Career with LinkedIn
Ok, future movers and shakers. Here it is. Your defining moment. Why are you here?Get. Job. Now.
Your LinkedIn profile is your connection to over 35 million professionals in the business world. Use it to show the world who you are. To help the world find you. This network will not just help you find a job, but GET a job.
What is LinkedIn? LinkedIn helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with your trusted contacts.
Step 1: Present Yourself
- Tell your story. Your LinkedIn profile is an interactive business card. Use it to describe your summer jobs, internships, volunteer positions, or personal passions. You've already accomplished a lot. Now it's your time to shine.
Did you know? LinkedIn profiles are often one of the first results in Google search. Make this work for you. If your name is searched, be sure your profile looks its best.
What's a complete profile? A 100%-complete profile includes your education, work experience, a customized url with your name, etc. It also is 40 times more likely to get seen by employers, and increase your chances for an employment offer.
View real profiles from recent grads
Step 2: Get Connected
- You've already got a network. Find and join your school's LinkedIn Group and connect with alums. What to ask: Trends in their industry, the companies they most respect, and how they prepared themselves to succeed.
- Friends and Family plan. Who are you close to? Do they work someplace interesting? LinkedIn lets you connect with family and friends. Your parents, your favorite professor, your hip aunt, and your entrepreneurial neighbor.
Did you know? You're already in. Upload your addressbook to LinkedIn. In seconds you can connect to everyone from your classmates to your manager.
Why should I connect? Build an invaluable network that will help you in your career, and expand with each professional step you take.
Watch this short video of how connecting on LinkedIn can help find your dream job.
Step 3: Build the Good Word
- Get a reputation. We can't say this enough: LinkedIn recommendations look really, really good to employers. Plus they help you build a strong reputation, and they will always be a badge of honor on your profile.
- Everyone matters. Ask your professors. How about your internship supervisor? Or your campus job manager? They're already pleased with your work. Let them recommend you.
Did you know? If you have a recommendation it will help your profile show up first in search results.
How do recommendations help? Getting recommendations from professors, previous employers and fellow students can help show why people enjoy working with you. It also illustrates your achievements and project credibility when respected colleagues can verify your talents and abilities.
Read recommendations of current LinkedIn members to see its value.
“Eric is a phenomenal individual and a man of many talents. I am impressed with his professionalism on and off the Hamilton campus. His skills as an ambassador for Hamilton College are exceptional. This is one young man you'll want working with your team! It is my pleasure to recommend Eric.” December 13, 2008
Rosemarie Traina-Moreno, Parents Advisory Council, Parent Volunteer-Annual Fund/Leadership Giving, Hamilton College worked with Eric at Hamilton College
“Jeannie has been a consistently great contributor at Core77 for several years. Her insights and understanding of the design industry are invaluable to us, and her writing is superb. She delivers on time with minimum supervision, and is a pleasure to work with.”July 3, 2007
Top qualities: Great Results, High Integrity, CreativeStuart Constantine, hired Jeannie as a Writer/Editor in 2007, and hired Jeannie more than once
Show Off Your Best Work
- Enrich your profile. Show your best work by uploading a video or portfolio with Box.net. Let your big ideas shine through with Google presentations. Add an extra dimension to your profile.
Did you know? Everything counts here. Your excellent report on China's economic future, your art portfolio, samples of design structures you have created, or even slideshows of important presentations.
Why should I share my work? It helps to show your achievements to potential employers. They need to see your capabilities and this visual showcase places you ahead of the competition.
Examples using LinkedIn Applications to enhance your profile
Google PresentationAdding applications to your profile allows you to present yourself and your work. Upload a .PPT or use Google’s online application to embed any of your college presentation on your profile.
Box.netAdd the Box.net Files application to manage all your important files online. Box.net lets you share content on your profile, and collaborate with friends and colleagues. Perfect for showing off your portfolio of work.
Find Your Way
- Get in depth. LinkedIn has over 150,000 Company Profiles. Find out who is hiring, and for what. And instantly see how you're connected to them – so you can get introduced.
Did you know? Alums from your college are now working at companies around the world, look them up and make a connection. You never know where it might lead.
What are company profiles? Company Profiles are a powerful research tool that helps you find and explore potential companies to work for or do business with. Profiles feature a company overview, who you know at the company, and unique data from the LinkedIn network.
Check out some popular company profiles:
Check out companies who are currently hiring on LinkedIn:
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- Put your profile and network on overdrive! We want to help you succeed so we're giving you 3 months of our Business account:
- Access to expanded profiles - See more profiles of hiring managers and decision makers
- More detailed search results - Use them right away or save them for when you're ready
- InMail™ Messages - Lets you contact employers directly to tell them why you're the best grad out there
- How to qualify:
- Can't be a previous subscriber
- Must be graduating this year, or have graduated in the last 3 years from college or graduate school
- Completed profile to 80% completeness or over
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Click on the link above to review your profile. If you qualify, we'll automatically upgrade you to a business account. Within five business days, you’ll have the ultimate career starting tools on your LinkedIn account.