Getting ‘LinkedIn’Online Networking Workshop

About LinkedIn “Throughout 2008, social networking sites and blogs saw more time spent by

users than personal e-mail.” - Nielsen Online

• Founded in 2003 – professional social media• Members from over 200 countries• Executives from every Fortune 500

company have profiles• Over 400,000 groups • LinkedIn has a network of over 52 MILLION

professionals• LinkedIn profiles are often one of the first

searches in a Google search

Your Profile• Allows you to maintain and separate ‘work

life’ & ‘personal life’• A complete profile is 40X more likely to be

seen• Never include anything you wouldn’t want

printed on the cover of the New York Times • Tell your story – 1st impressions are critical

– Have a strong ‘title’ and summary– Include keywords/specialties– Ensure you have a professional photo

Your Profile• Include volunteer and other activities• Keep your profile current!• Obtain recommendations (1/position held)• Claim your LinkedIn url – add a ‘public

profile’• Create your profile in additional

languages if applicable• Include website links to research or

professional blogs• Update your ‘Opportunity Preferences’

Groups, Applications, Blogs, Articles…

• Applications allow you to post portions of blog posts you’ve written to your page

• Amazon reading lists allow visitors to review your current interests

• Add presentations via slide share• Sole purpose of these items is to connect with

and assist one another• Groups provide more connections &

discussion; campus alumni groups are especially popular!

More about Groups• Groups have sections for Discussions, Job

Postings, Event Announcements, News Dissemination, and more

• Provide additional communication vehicle to members

• Enable further research on group members and help build brand

• Update settings to receive digests, etc.

Making Connections• Join groups related to your field, school, etc. • Connect with people you already know • Watch the connections your links make…

chances are, you know them as well (but don’t spam!!)

• Quid pro quo – offer to return the favor for someone who makes an introduction for you

• Do be careful about who you add as connections– Introductions can be difficult if you don’t know

person– “I Don’t Know” button– LIONs (LinkedIn Open Networkers)

Creating Connections• Determine what information you are seeking• Prepare list of questions and introductory email

– Include Illinois connection!– Personalize your message & be clear about intentions

• Find out more about your potential connection and review his/her profile

• If someone ‘introduces’ you, copy them on emails• Request advice/guidance - not jobs/donations/etc.

– Trends in industry, general feedback, or information– Recommendations of others with whom to connect

Maintaining Connections

• Request (& give) recommendations– Illustrate achievements– Project credibility

• Never share others’ personal information with colleagues unless you have permission to do so

• Do make your connections public• Ask for telephone connection: 15-20 minutes• Always follow-up with thank you emails/notes!• Keep your contacts/connections informed

Job Search Feature• Utilize the ‘Find a Job’ feature to search for

actual positions• Join groups and check out their ‘Jobs’ tabs• When you join groups, sign up to receive

the ‘feed’• Students graduating this year can get a

free premium account (http://grads.linkedin.com/)

Finding/Giving ‘Answers’• ‘Answer’ questions as applicable – if you

get a ‘good answer’ mark, you are seen as an expert

• Post questions that you may have, but remember that millions of people have access to what you write

• Write answers/questions in Word and use spell- and grammar-check and then cut & paste into LinkedIn

Researching Companies• Find information on companies in a specific

geographic location• Look for related companies and ‘popular’

profiles• Review ‘before’ and ‘after’ career paths• Read ‘News’ about the company• Check out a company’s ‘new hires’

Career Services Council

For Employers: http://www.hireillini.illinois.edu/

For Students:http://www.careerservices.illinois.edu/

For questions about this presentation, please contact Patricia Simpson: plblum@illinois.edu

orKatie Flint: kflint2@illinois.edu