An Introduction to Business Social Media: How to navigate LinkedIn as a Student Pt. II

linkedin logo
image credits to Matthew Gain

The next step to using LinkedIn as a student is developing a strong presence on the platform. For those college students who are active on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram, establishing and maintaining a presence on LinkedIn will be a somewhat natural extension. We’ve broken this down into three core questions: 

What do I post? The number one concern of any social media user is what to post; this becomes especially tricky when it intersects with the professional world. Here are three recommendations to answer this age-old question: 

  1. The easiest thing to post is a repost! If you’ve read articles of professional interest or listened to a podcast, LinkedIn is a great way to share these resources with your following. To personalize it, feel free to add your own commentary or major takeaways from the material. 
  2. Another great post is to highlight your engagements in your industry of choice. This includes all of the events, conferences, speeches, shadowing opportunities, exploratory programs, etc.. that you’ve attended. In your post, you should review them (e.g. discuss how it went, what you learned, or who you met) as well as iterate how it is helping you along your professional journey. We recommend you attach a few photos if you’re able. Also, don’t forget to thank someone! This can be for the invitation, facilitation, or simply for providing great content. 
  3. Your accomplishments are incredibly important and deserve to be shared. When you make progress on your professional development (e.g. new position, accolades, honors, completed semester, news/video feature, anything!), you should update your LinkedIn network. This gives them the opportunity to support you, and it gives you the opportunity to uplift someone else/pay it forward — try to share strategies and lessons that worked for you. 

How do I engage with my feed? The name of the game is comments and likes. 

Your LinkedIn feed is how you lend support or offer insights to your friends and colleagues. Don’t be afraid to comment on their posts or reposts. Sample comments include: ‘This is amazing!’, ‘I’m so proud of you!’, or ‘Congratulations!’ While we don’t recommend a detailed exchange in the comment section, it is appropriate to contribute your general perspective on any news they’ve reposted.  

Beyond that, try to keep up to date with your network by checking your feed and inbox regularly. The frequency is to your own discretion, but try to be cognizant of the recruitment cycles in your industry of choice because opportunities may be posted or personally sent to you. 

Who do I add? The benefits of a strong LinkedIn presence is dependent on a strong LinkedIn network. When you’re considering who to add, the general answer is whomever you’d like to.

Most people start with their friends, but it is common to add those you’re in extracurriculars with, those whom you’ve worked with in class, and coworkers. 

Everyone says to network, but the true value of all those hours spent mingling and eating appetizers is in developing that conversation into a professional relationship over time. That said, if you’re speaking with someone at an industry engagement, be sure to ask for their LinkedIn information to keep in touch. 

Bonus: If you’re at an event, a quick way to add multiple people in your vicinity is the “_______” feature. This uses your phone’s bluetooth function to quickly connect with those around you. 

Congratulations! Once you follow these steps, then, over time, your LinkedIn presence will grow stronger and stronger. If you have any follow-up questions, please stop by the Career Exploration Center! We wish you the best of luck for your online endeavors. 

Dear Aunt Martha: Social Media As a Professional Career Development Tool

illustration of people interacting on social media

Dear Aunt Martha,

I recently saw some of my DEA, FSAD, and PAM classmates link their instagram and twitter accounts to their portfolios. As a design student myself, should I also be linking these platforms to my resume/portfolio? I’m afraid of being seen as unprofessional…

Best,

Rhonda R. Esume

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The Summary Statement for Resumes, LinkedIn, and More

how-to-write-a-press-release-summary-and-why-it-matters

The objective statement has been taken off most resumes recently and been replaced with a summary statement. The objective was originally intended to tell employers what position you were applying for. However, most applications are handed in via Internet, email, and inter-personal means so the need for the objective statement is only relevant for special situations. For example, if a biology major is applying to a finance position, he may put an objective statement explaining why he wants the job despite having a background in biology.

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4 Steps to a Better Linkedin Profile

4 Steps to a Better LinkedIn Profile

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Picking the Perfect Time to Send an Email

 

person using silver laptop computer on desk
Photo credits to John Schnobrich

When is a good time to send an email? Whether it’s emailing a colleague or a potential employer, we want to make sure our emails are read and responded to. It can be tough for people to read through the huge wave of emails from the weekend on a Monday or find the energy to respond to emails on a Friday. So when is the optimal time and date for getting a response?

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Putting on Your Professional Game Face: LinkedIn Profile Pictures and Cover Photos

Ezra's LinkedIn Profile
Ezra Cornell’s LinkedIn Profile

Profile Pictures

It is highly recommended that you add your face to your LinkedIn Account. Not only does it put a name to your face, but it makes your profile more complete and authentic. People are seven times more likely to view your LinkedIn profile if you have a profile picture. However, it is important that you choose a professional headshot to represent yourself to potential employers and coworkers. Keep your pictures tame.

Some tips to keep in mind:

  • Smile and keep it light-hearted. Try to refrain from being too serious in your pictures.
  • No selfies.
  • Use quality photos that are not blurry.
  • Show your whole face in the picture. Try not to crop facial features out.
  • Stay away from full-body shots. A great headshot works well.

Cover Photos

A new feature of LinkedIn is adding a cover photo to your profile. This could be an opportunity to display your professional interests and story visually. The photo should be related to what your professional interests are. For example, Richard Branson has a picture of the sky as his cover photo and unsurprisingly he is the head of an airline company. If you are a designer, this is a great opportunity to showcase one of your designs. Find an image that is representative of who you are, but doesn’t overshadow the content of your profile.

O*NET: A Hub of Job Information

O*NET

O*NET (http://www.onetonline.org/) has a huge database containing information on different occupations and job fields. Its search systems are very helpful in finding out characteristics of the jobs you are research on as well and research other job fields.

O*NET page
Retrieved from O*NET

 

O*NET has a lot of information about specific jobs and their job fields. By doing a site search or occupation quick search, you can find summary reports for different jobs that tell you the type of skills that are required for that particular job field, what kinds of values people in the job field admire, and average salary. It could be a great place to start career exploration or do more research into a field you’re already invested in.

O*NET Resources

    • O*NET Ability Profiler

    • O*NET Interest Profiler

    • O*NET Computerized Interest Profiler

    • O*NET Interest Profiler Short Form

    • O*NET Work Importance Locator

  • O*NET Work Importance Profiler

Using LinkedIn Effectively

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!