1. Are You ? A Workshop for LinkedIn Beginners:
Creating a Professional Profile and Making Connections
University of La Verne, Career Services
Kristina Sanchez, Graduate Intern
Jennifer Mojarro, Associate Director
(909) ext. 4054
Jenn

2. What can LinkedIn do for you?
Interactive business card
Creates an opportunity to connect with recruiters, networking contacts, graduate school admissions officers, etc... on a global scale
Used by employers/recruiters to find potential employees for their company
Space to display professional portfolio
Jenn
Look at LinkedIn as the New E-Portfolio
It can connect academics to your career in a concrete way
According to jobvite’s 2011 social recruiting survey:
89% of US Companies will use Social networks for recruiting
95% report they have hired through LinkedIn
In % of employers always search profiles
Which has grown since 2010
There are over 150 million profiles in LinkedIn

3. Crafting Your Headline
Make it short, but memorable
Slogan for your professional brand
Ex: “Recent honors graduate seeking marketing
position”
Use “buzz” words
Look at similar profiles for ideas
Kristina
Headline is only 120 characters. It’s your prime marketing real estate. This is where you sell yourself.
Most people have their current job title and company name. Be creative.
Buzz words such as “Innovative, visionary, Dynamic…”
Showcase your specialty and values. Be specific if possible (Child development major looking to work with children between ages 5-8.)
***Example Look for Richard Young, marketing****

4. Create Your Own Headline Exercise
Kristina
Ask audience to get in groups and to create a headline according to the occupation that will be given to them
Elementary Teacher
Accountant
Information Technology Professional

5. Your Profile Picture Keep it professional!
This is NOT your Facebook or Twitter
High quality headshot of YOU and ONLY YOU
NO party photos
NO cartoon avatars
NO cute pictures of your puppy
Kristina

6. Show Off Your Education
Institutions you have attended
Major and Minor (if you have one)
Extracurricular activities
Study abroad programs
Strong GPA
Honors & Awards
Kristina
Listing study abroad programs will increase your chances of being contacted by an employer if you’re an inter’l business major.
Any clubs or organizations you were or are part of during school
Strong GPA- 3.5 or better

7. Developing a Summary Statement
Should resemble your best written cover letter
Be concise
List goals and qualifications
Include:
Internships
Volunteer Work
Extracurriculars
Display in short blocks or bullet points for easy reading
Jenn
Demonstrate confidence as you would in your Cover letter

8. “Skills and Expertise” Section
Include key words and phrases that a recruiter might type into search engine
Look at job listings to find buzz words that appeal to your profile
Look at other profiles that are similar to your own
Jenn

9. Building your Professional Network
Ask for connections
Send invitations to connect to anyone you know and trust
Send a personalized message if you do not know the person very well.
Kristina
Connections can include professors, colleagues, employers, or anyone else who you would like to personally connect with
If you do use professors, you want to make sure you are on good terms with them by showing up to class on time, turning in your homework on time as well.
If you would like to connect with someone, send an invitation.
Never use the general message that LinkedIn uses “I would like to add you to my personal network”. Instead introduce yourself and explain how you want to be in contact with them. If you know them from someone else, name drop.

10. Additional Sections/Applications
Certifications
Courses
Honors/Awards
Languages
Organizations
Presentations
Projects
Skills
GPA
Box.net
Creative Portfolio
Google Presentation
WordPress
Polls
Etc.
Jenn

11. LinkedIn Group Badges
Start with joining your university’s LinkedIn group
Helps you connect with “groups” within your field of interest
Can be a member of 50 groups
Or…create your own group! 
Can lead/create 10 groups
Kristina
Settings: Can be visible or not visible. Maybe you don’t want people to know you are in a sports group…
A place to share in discussion
Flag a post about a job
Can see other members and connect
You will get daily or weekly s from the group and you can see what other members have posted and you may join in on that discussion.

12. Collect Recommendations
At least one recommendation per position you have held
Professors
Internship coordinators
Colleagues
Employers
Professional mentors
Kristina
Professors: It is important to turn in homework on time and get good grades b/c you may need a recommendation from that professor.
Recommendations enhance your profile.
This is where the person brags about your skills and/or what you can offer to the company. It is similar to a letter of rec.
Only ask people who truly know your work.

13. Making a Unique URL Set profile to “public” and claim an URL
Ex:
Include in your signature
Makes profile searchable on Google, Yahoo, etc…
Jenn

14. Sharing Your Work Displaying URLS Linkedin Applications
Direct people to your website, blog or twitter feed
Linkedin Applications
PowerPoint presentations
Downloadable version of resume
Writing samples
Design work
Jenn

15. Questions???

16. Mark Your Calendars!!! Using LinkedIn: Advanced *Thursday 10/25/12*