Setting Up Your Profile
- Start with a strong title. This is often the first piece of information employers see, so an impressive headline such as “XYZ University honors student and aspiring ABC” is a great way to catch attention and draw people in.
- Use key words in your personal summary, even drawing from job listings that interest you.
- Utilize the LinkedIn profile aspects geared towards college students, such as course work, languages, and projects. If possible, even upload examples of projects to create a more dynamic profile. This is one aspect of how LinkedIn goes beyond a 2-dimensional resume, so take advantage of it!
- Indicate your extracurricular activities, such as clubs, hobbies, and volunteer work. Don’t underestimate the power of being a well-rounded student!
- Lastly, make sure to include a clean, professional-looking picture—no selfies, please! It (literally) gives your words a face, and polishes off a great profile.
How to Network
- Once your profile is complete, start making connections! Request to connect with friends, classmates, previous employers, and parents of friends. The more first connections you have, the more second and third connections you will have, which will come in handy when starting the job search.
- Follow organizations and companies that are relevant to you! “Cornell University” is a good place to start, but consider following potential companies to get news and updates (such as job listings, on-campus recruiting, etc.). It shows employers that you are interested and in the loop.
- Join groups based on your extracurricular activities and affiliations. This is often a great launching pad to find connections.
How to Utilize Alumni connections
- To find alumni profiles: search in the top bar “Cornell University”, click “Students and Alumni”, then filter by location, industry, etc. The bottom of the page will display any connections shared within this specific search.
- Alumni profiles are excellent resources to see real life career trajectories. For example, finding alumni with your dream job gives you the opportunity to see their previous jobs and education, and essentially, how they got to where they are. It also provides first hand descriptions of job positions from an insider.
- Don’t be to shy to reach out! Most alumni are more than willing to chat with students, because they have been in your shoes. Fostering a relationship with alumni might even give way to an internship or shadowing opportunity!
Quick Job Search Tools on LinkedIn
- Designed specifically for new college graduates, “linkedin.com/studentjobs” is a database of entry-level job positions listed by employers on LinkedIn.
- Follow “Cornell University Job Connections” for job vacancies that employers want Cornell students to know about.
- Reach out to second and even third connections. Explain how you are connected and what you can offer, and you never know what opportunities you will come across!
Come by the Career Exploration Center for more information on how to use LinkedIn effectively and for help setting up your profile!