Social Media Meets Career Development: Effectively Networking with LinkedIn

Mike O’ConnorDirector of Career Planning

The Sage Colleges

Facts• World’s largest professional network on the Internet with more

than 100 million members in over 200 countries and territories.• More than half of LinkedIn members are currently located outside

of the United States.• Nearly two billion people searches on LinkedIn in 2010.• Management team is comprised of seasoned executives from

companies like Yahoo!, Google, Microsoft, TiVo, PayPal and Electronic Arts. The CEO of LinkedIn is Jeff Weiner.

• Available in nine languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Turkish and Romanian.

• Started off 2011 with about 1,000 full-time employees located all around the globe, up from around 500 at the beginning of 2010.

Source: http://press.linkedin.com/about

Why Use ?

• “Old Way” of Applying Doesn’t Work– Companies average hundreds to thousands of resumes submitted

for each entry-level position– Most organizations don’t post their positions publicly, or pay to

have them advertised via Monster or Career Builder• Expansion of your professional network and relevant

networks– 70 percent of all jobs found through networking (Bureau of Labor

Statistics)• Increases marketability and exposure• Era of the “Personal Brand”

Starting A Account

Building Your Profile• Easiest Way - Upload an

edited professional resume

• Include any “relevant” job or experience

• Choose professional picture or headshot

• Get recommendations…

Networking On LinkedIn

• Targeting Contacts– Connect with friends, faculty members, and professionals in

target field – Increases LinkedIn Network and potential exposure to many

more professionals… • Best Strategy – JOIN GROUPS– THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of Groups – Includes

professional associations, alumni and affinity groups, and even specific employers

– Give you access to professionals in target fields– Connect with individuals in a position to help you and your

career

Networking On LinkedIn

• Networking vs. Handouts…– It’s BOTH what you know and WHO you know… – Networking: Mutual Beneficial Process. Not about

Me, Me, Me…• Informational Interviewing– Networking strategy to talk to people in target

fields… – Goal: get industry specific information and more

contacts in target field

Request for Informational Interview – Sample Message

Dear Ms. Jacobsen,

I’m an English major in my junior year at Sage College of Albany, and I have interest in pursuing a career in the field of television and film production. I was excited to see that you are currently employed by MTV as a producer. I would very much like to learn more about your experiences in the industry and any advice you’d be willing to share with regards to succeeding in the field.

Would you be willing to speak with me for 15-20 minutes about your experiences in media production at a time that’s convenient for you? Thank you for your consideration, I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Beverly Hillbilly

Resources

• Guide for New Users– http://learn.linkedin.com/new-users/

• Guide for Students and Recent Graduates– http://learn.linkedin.com/students/step-1/

• Guide for Job Seekers– http://learn.linkedin.com/job-seekers/