use linkedin to get into your dream college :: download free e book

USE

LINKEDIN TO GET INTO YOUR

DREAM COLLEGE

Promote Your Accomplishments

Connect with the Right People

Find the Perfect School

LinkedInTO COLLEGE

T R O Y D . W H I T E

UseLinkedIntoGetIntoYourDreamCollege

TableofContents

Introduction:UsingLinkedIntoGetIntoYourDreamCollege....7A.10ReasonsYouShouldUseLinkedIninHighSchool...7

1.TestYourCollegeApplicationsBEFOREYouApply2.StandOutfromOtherCollegeApplicants3.StartNetworking4.MakeConnectionsPast,Present,andFuture5.EnhanceYourProfessionalImage&PersonalBrand6.BuildaGreatProfile,ThenForgetAboutIt.Kindof7.CreateaDigitalShowcaseofYourAccomplishments8.BuildanElectronicCareerPortfolio,Early9.ExploreCareers10.ResearchCollegesToday,ThenBuildaCareerfortheFuture

B.LinkedIn101:TheIdealLinkedInProfileforHighSchoolStudents101.ProfessionalPhoto2.Headline3.UniqueURL4.Summary5.Experience6.Recommendations7.Projects8.Education9.TestScores10.Courses11.VolunteeringandCauses12.MultimediaContent

Chapter1:HowtoUseLinkedIntoPromoteYourAccomplishments.....14A.BeforeYouStart:10TipsforBuildingthePerfectLinkedInProfile.14

1.LinkedInisOnlyOneTool2.StartSmall,andBuild(Build,Build)3.FindaFriendtoReviewYourProfileandBrainstormIdeas4.BuildaProfilethats100%Complete5.ButDontUploadYourResume6.AddMore,RatherThanLess7.AlwaysAddMultimediaLinks8.TurnOffEmailNotifications9.SetYourPrivacytoPrivate10.Ultimately,LinkedInisMoreArtthanScience

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B.HowtoCreateandOptimizeYourLinkedInProfile...181.SetUpaFreeAccount2.UseYourFullName(andThenSome)3.UploadaProfessionalPhoto

a)AlternativestoaStandardHeadshot4.AddStudenttoYourHeadline,andPromoteYourPersonalBrand5.Industry6.ContactInfo7.Summary8.Experience9.Skills10.Certifications11.VolunteeringandCauses12.Languages13.HonorsandAwards14.Projects15.Organizations16.Courses17.Recommendations18.Groups

a)HowtoFindGroupsC.MakeYourProfileStandOutbyUnlockingtheHiddenPowerofMultimediaContent..62

1.WhatKindofMultimediaContentShouldYouAdd?a)WhereCanYouAddMultimediaContent?b)HowtoAddMultimediaContenttoYourLinkedInProfile

Chapter2:HowtoUseLinkedIntoConnectwiththeRightPeople....68A.LinkedInsABCRule....68B.WhatConnectionsMeanandWhyTheyreImportant..69C.HowtoConnectwithPeopleonLinkedIn...70

1.ConnectYourEmailAddressBooksa)GiveLinkedInAccesstoYourAddressBookb)UploadYourContacts

2.SendIndividualEmailInvites3.PeopleYouMayKnow

a)ThePowerofWeakConnectionsb)ThePeopleYouMayKnowPagec)WheretoFindPeopleYouMayKnow

D.AdvancedConnectionStrategies.82

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1.CurrentClassmatesandTeachers2.AlumnifromYourHighSchool3.PeopleYouMeetSociallyandProfessionally4.PeopleYoudLiketoMeet5.Introductions6.ActivelyPromoteYourLinkedInProfileonYourOtherSocialMediaAccounts7.WheretoUseYourPersonalizedLinkedInURL8.GroupMembers9.LinkedInsTopConnected

E.HowtoUseTagstoManageYourImportantConnections..93Chapter3:HowtoUseLinkedIntoFindYourDreamCollege.98

A.TheLinkedInforHigherEducationHomepage:AnOverview...1001.SeeYourSchool2.FieldsofStudy3.SchoolsYouAreFollowing4.SimilarSchools5.NewsandUpdates

B.DecisionBoards:TheBestWaytoFindYourDreamCollege..1061.HowtoSetUpaDecisionBoard2.GettingtheMostfromYourDecisionBoard

a)HowtoAdd,Edit,andRemoveInformationonYourDecisionBoardb)HowtoUsetheSchoolandFieldofStudyCardsc)HowtoUpdateDecisionBoardCardsd)HowtoViewOtherDecisionBoards

3.HowtoCollaborateonaDecisionBoardC.HowtoUseLinkedInsUniversityFinder..141

1.HowtoSearchByFieldsofStudy,Careers,andLocations2.HowtoSearchforaSpecificUniversity3.BuildaListofSimilarSchools4.WheretoFindSimilarSchools

a)UniversityHomepageb)UniversityCareerPage

5.LinkedInsUniversityPage,andHowtoUseIta)HowtoGetInformationandNewsUpdatesonYourDreamCollege

D.HowtoUseLinkedInsUniversityRankings.166E.HowtoUseLinkedInsFieldofStudyExplorer176

Chapter4:HowtoUseLinkedIntoChooseYourMajor..184A.HowtoUsetheFieldofStudyExplorertoFindaCareer..185

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B.HowtoUseLinkedInsCareerSection..1881.HowtoNarrowYourSearchwithinCategories

C.HowtoUsePulsetoExploreCareers...194D.HowtoUseNotableAlumnitoDiscoverNoteworthyCareers..205

Chapter5:HowtoGettheBest(Free)DreamCollegeResearchandAdvice....207A.FindOutWhoYouKnow(andIfTheyCanHelpYou)207

1.TalktoYourExistingConnections2.SetUpInformationalInterviewswithAlumniAmbassadors

a)WhyYouShouldUseAlumniAmbassadorsb)HowtoFindandConnectwithAlumniAmbassadorsforInformational

Interviewsc)HowtoConductaSuccessfulInformationalInterview

3.SeeWhotheSuccessfulAlumniAre4.JoinGroupsandGettheMostfromThem

a)HowtoSendaMessagetotheGroupManagerb)HowtoConnectwithandSendMessagestoFellowGroupMembersc)HowtoModifyYourGroupDigestEmailSettings

B.GettoKnowtheAdmissionsStaffBeforeanInterview..232

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CopyrightNoticeDistributeFreely(Please!)Youmayfreelydistributeorgiveawaythisebookwithoutpriorpermissionfromthepublisherorauthor,aslongasitsnotaltered,itsnotsold,anditisdistributedinitsentirety.Thankyou.AbouttheAuthor,TroyD.White:

Overthecourseofhiscareerineducationalmarketing,Troyhashelpedbusinessprofessionals,teachers,andstudentsbecomebetteratwhattheydo.Hehasbuiltandpromotedanumberofeducationalproducts,programs,andservicesintheprofessionaldevelopment,continuingeducation,teachertraining,educationalpublishing,andstudentleadershipindustries.

[email protected]:

LinkedIn(ofcourse) Facebook Google+

@TroyDWhite Behance YouTube

ConnectwithLinkedIntoCollegeon:

LinkedInToCollege.com @LinkedToCollege

SpecialthankstoNickWesternforgenerouslysharinghistime,advice,andexpertise.

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Introduction:UsingLinkedIntoGetInto

YourDreamCollegeYoureinhighschoolandyouknowyouneedtopresentapictureofyourselfandyourlifetotheworld.Or,atleastfornow,tocollegeadmissionsdepartments.Whatifyoucouldsiftthroughabewilderinglistofcollegesandstrategicallyfindyourperfectschool?Howcanyouconfidentlypromoteyourachievementssoyougettherecognition,andcollegeacceptanceletters,youdeserve?Andduringyourcollegeapplicationsjourney,wouldntitbenicetoconnectwithhelpfulpeopleforadviceandguidance?Theresasimplewaytodoallofthesethings,andmore:LinkedIn.ThisstepbystepebookhelpsyougetthemostfromLinkedIn:itshowsyouhowtopromoteyouraccomplishments,networkwiththerightpeople,andfindoutifthatcollegeisreallythedreamschoolyouvebeenlookingfor.

A.10ReasonsYouShouldUseLinkedIninHighSchoolNotconvinced(yet)thatLinkedIncanhelpyoufindandgetintothecollegeofyourdreams?Thinkitsjustawebsiteforestablishedbusinessprofessionals,aplaceyougotofindajob?Thinkagain!HereareafewreasonsyoushouldstartusingLinkedInwhileyoureinhighschool.

1.TestYourCollegeApplicationsBEFOREYouApply

TheearlieryoustartusingLinkedIn,eventojuststartslowlypiecingtogetheryourprofile,theeasieritwillbetocompleteyourcollegeapplications.TheinformationyouaddtoLinkedInisessentiallyanexpandedversionofwhatcollegeswillask,andwanttoknow,aboutyou.ThinkofLinkedInasadynamicfilingcabinetforallofyouraccomplishmentsandessentialapplicationinformation,readytoactivatewheneveryouneedit.

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AlloftheinformationyoulluseonyourcollegeapplicationshasarelatedcategoryonLinkedIn.TheLinkedInSummarysectionisyourpersonalstatementLinkedInsVolunteering&Causesiswhereyoulllistyourcommunityserviceinvolvementandsoon.Asanaddedbenefit,LinkedIngivesyouthetools(andthespace,whichislimitedonyourcollegeapplications)toprovidemoreinformationaboutyourselfandtoshareadeeperstoryaboutyouraccomplishments.ThinkofLinkedInssectionsaschaptersofabookabookthatsallaboutyou.

2.StandOutfromOtherCollegeApplicants

Partofgettingintoyourdreamcollegeisdifferentiating,orbranding,yourself.Currently,notalotofhighschoolstudentsareactivelyusingLinkedInornotusingiteffectivelysoitsanopportunityforyoutostandoutinthecollegeacceptancerace.Plus,youllliterallystandoutonline:aLinkedInprofileranksatthetopofsearchengineresults.Ifacollegeadmissionscounselordoesapublicsearchofyournameyoullbeabletopresentamemorableprofessionalimage.

3.StartNetworking

Networkingisoneofthemostimportantskillsyoullneedtodevelopinyourcareertheearlieryoucandevelopthisskill,themoresuccessfulyoullbe.LinkedIngivesyouaccesstosuccessfulpeers,mentorsandthoughtleadersitstheultimatenetworkingtool.

4.MakeConnectionsPast,Present,andFuture

Inordertonetworkeffectively,youneedtoknowpeopleoratleastknowhow(orwhere)tofindpeople.LinkedInisthebestwaytoprofessionallyconnectwithfellowstudents,alumniatyourprospectiveschools,mentors,andotherpeoplewhocanhelpyoufindandchoosethebestdreamcollegeandthenhelpyoujumpstartyourpostcollegecareer!Whetheryourelookingforaninternshiportryingtoconnectwithanalumnusaboutapotentialcollegeorcareer,alargenetworkwillpaybigdividendswhenitcomestoresearchingcolleges,careerexploration,andlandinganinternship.

5.EnhanceYourProfessionalImage&PersonalBrand

Ofallthesocialmediasites,LinkedInisthebestplatformtodevelopandpromoteyour

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professionalimage.Itallowsyoutohighlightyourcreativity,yourworkexperience,yourambitions,andyourtalents.BecausetherearesomanywaystopromoteyourselfonLinkedIn,youllbeabletogivecollegeadmissionscounselors(andfutureemployers)acomprehensivesenseofwhoyouare,bothpersonallyandprofessionally.LinkedIngivesyouaheadstartondevelopingastrongandrecognizablepersonalbrand.Yourpersonalbrandistheimageyoucreatearoundyourabilitiesandskills,anddifferentiatesyoufromyourpeers.

6.BuildaGreatProfile,ThenForgetAboutIt.Kindof

OneofthebenefitsofLinkedInisthat,afteryouvecreatedagoodprofile,youdontneedtodevotealotoftimetomaintainingit.Sure,youllwanttoupdateitwithanynewaccomplishments,butyoudontneedtoconstantlypostnewcontentandupdatesunlikeotherunnamedsocialmediaprofiles.YoucantquitesetandforgetyourLinkedInprofile,butyoucanfocusonotherthings,likeapplyingtoyourdreamcollegewhileLinkedInplaysasupportingrole.

7.CreateaDigitalShowcaseofYourAccomplishments

WithLinkedInyoucaninfusevideo,presentations,images,documents,photos,andURLsintoyourprofile.Itgivesyouraccomplishmentsanengaging,multimediaperspectivethatcurrentlycantbereplicatedwithstandardonedimensionalcollegeapplications.

8.BuildanElectronicCareerPortfolio,Early

LinkedInletsyoucreateamultimediaportfoliothathighlightsallofyourprofessionalskillsandtalents.Theearlieryoustartdocumentingyouraccomplishments,theeasieritwillbetoquicklytransferthisinformationtoyourcollegeapplications,aswellasstartnavigatingyourfuturecareerpath.

9.ExploreCareers

Notquitesureyetwhatyouwanttodowiththerestofyourlife?Doyouhaveafewideasbutarentsurewheretoturnforanswers?

LinkedInhelpsyouexploredifferentcareerpathsbeforeyouenrollincollege.LinkedIngivesyouinsightintowhatpeopleactuallydointheirjobs,theskillstheyuse,andthepathstheyvetakentoestablishtheircareers.Youcanalsoseewherealumnilive,what

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theydo,andwhattheyrereallygoodat.

Bestofall,youcanconnectwiththesepeopleandgetanswerstoyourquestions,bothasyouapplytoyourdreamcollege,asyouchooseyourmajor,andasyoustartyourcareer.

10.ResearchCollegesToday,ThenBuildaCareerfortheFuture

Asyouapplytoyourtopcolleges,LinkedInwillhelpyouresearchandcompareschools,stayontopofschoolnewsandevents,findinfluentialalumniforinformationalinterviews,andconnectwithyourfutureclassmates.Atthesametime,youllbelayingthegroundworkforasuccessfulfuturebyexploringcareers,networkingwithbusinessprofessionals,andexpandingyourbusinessknowledge.Mastertheseessentialskillsnow,andyourewellonyourwaytobuildingarewardingcareerinthefuture.

B.LinkedIn101:TheIdealLinkedInProfileforHighSchoolStudentsWonderingwhattheidealLinkedInprofilelookslikeforahighschoolstudent?Afterall,chancesareyoudonthaveacareer(yet,butyouwillsoonenough),andyoudonthaveatonoftraditionalexperience(yet,butyouwillsoonenough).Youdohavealotofaccomplishments,though,andLinkedInistheidealplacetohighlightthemonyourownterms.HerearethebasicelementsthatwillmakeyourhighschoolLinkedInprofilestandout,andwilleasilysetyouapartfromyourpeersasyoureapplyingtoyourdreamcollege.Laterinthisebookyoullexploreeachelementingreaterdetail.

1.ProfessionalPhoto

Agoodphotoisessentialitsthefirstplacepeoplelookwhentheylandonyourprofile.Peoplewanttoknowtheyreconnectingwithanactualperson,andnotaspamaccount.Andjustanyphotowontdo:useaprofessionalheadshotsoyoucreateapositivefirstimpression.

2.Headline

Thisisyouropportunitytotelltheworldaboutyourselfwell,in135wordsorless.Not

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soeasy,atfirst.Butagoodheadlinecanquicklybroadcastyoureducationalgoalsandcareeraspirationsandmakepeoplewanttoreadmoreaboutyou.

3.UniqueURL

Yourenevertooyoungtostartbuildingyourpersonalbrand,andacustomizedLinkedInURLisagreatplacetostakeoutsomeonlineterritory.Yourpersonalbrandisabriefstatementofwhoyouare,andwhatyoudoreallywell,andLinkedIngivesyouaninstantlyrecognizedURLthatyoucantailortofityourbrand.YoucanevengetadditionalmileageoutofyourURLbyusingitonbusinesscards,resumes,andyourothersocialmediaprofiles.

4.Summary

Readytotellyourstory?Leteveryoneknowaboutyourpassions,pastaccomplishments,andwhatliesaheadforyou.Thisisalsoagoodplacetotestdriveyourpersonalstatementsbeforeyousubmitthemwithyourcollegeapplications.

5.Experience

Youllneedtoaddoneortwothingsataminimum.Thissectionhelpsyoupresentyourinternshiporpaidworkexperienceinthebestpossiblelight.

6.Recommendations

Youllneedrecommendationsforyourcollegeapplications,andyourLinkedInprofileisagreatplacetoaddthemaswell.Plus,youcanexpandyournetworkbytouchingbasewithyourconnectionsperiodicallyandaskingforrecommendations.

7.Projects

Chancesareyouvecompletedalotofcourseprojects,andthisistheplacetoaddthem.Trytoaddabusinesscontexttothem,ifitmakessense.

8.Education

Thisissimpletodo:listyourhighschoolandanyspecialprogramsyoureenrolledin,suchasInternationalBaccalaureate,Honors,Academies,etc.

9.TestScores

IfyouvealreadytakenyourSAT,ACT,AP,orIBexams,addthemhere.

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10.Courses

Listeverycourseyouvetakeninhighschool.Includecertificationsandextracurriculareducationalactivities.

11.VolunteeringandCauses

Listanycharitablegroupsorcausesyousupport.Rememberthatvolunteeringyourtimeisavaluablecontributiontoanyorganizationorcause,andthissectionisanopportunitytoberecognizedforyourcontributions.

12.MultimediaContent

LinkedInletsyouaddmultimediacontenttoyourprofile.Alwaystakeadvantageofit:yourachievementswilllookmuchmoreimpressivewhentheyreinteractive.

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Chapter1

HowtoUseLinkedIntoPromote

YourAccomplishments

AStepbyStepGuidetoBuildingtheUltimateLinkedInProfile

Inthissection,youll: UncoverTipsonBuildingthePerfectLinkedInProfile UnderstandtheKeyElementsofYourProfileandHowtoOptimizeThem DiscoverHow,andWhy,YouShouldAddMultimediaContenttoYourProfile

A.BeforeYouStart:10TipsforBuildingthePerfectLinkedInProfile

1.LinkedInisOnlyOneTool

RemembertokeepyourLinkedInprofileincontext:itssimplyonewayforyoutoresearch,find,andchooseand,ofcourse,getacceptedintoyourdreamcollege.(Asabonus,youcanuseittobuildacareeraswellbutletstakecareofthatcollegethingfirst.)WhenyouaddLinkedIntoyourcollegeapplicationtoolkit,youlleasily:

promoteyourselfandyouraccomplishments findpeoplethatcanofferusefuladviceasyouapplytocolleges researchcolleges,careers,andalumni

2.StartSmall,andBuild(Build,Build)

YourLinkedInprofilewontbestatic,itsadynamictool.Youllkeepmakingchanges,especiallywhenyoufirstgetstarted.Dontworryaboutadding,deletingormodifyingthingswhenyoufirststartbuildingyourprofileyoucanandwillfinetuneyourprofilefrequentlyintheearlystages.

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Thekeyistodiveinandstartbuildingyourprofileassoonaspossible.Aswithmanythingsgettingstartedisthehardestpart.Butonceyoustart,thingswillstartflowingandyoullhaveacompleteLinkedInprofileinnotime.

3.FindaFriendtoReviewYourProfileandBrainstormIdeas

MakesureyoueditandproofreadyourLinkedInprofileand,mostimportantly,haveatleastoneotherpersonreviewit.Onceyoucreateyourprofileandstartaddingcontent,youllneedsomeonetotakeafreshlookatitandoffersomeconstructivefeedback.Ataminimum,makesureyouhavesomeonelookoveryourprofileforgrammarandspellingmistakes.

4.BuildaProfilethats100%Complete

Aprofilethatis100%completedemonstratesthatyoufollowthroughonimportantprojectsandthatyouunderstandtheimportanceofyourprofessionalreputation.Thankfully,achievinga100%completeprofileiseasierthanyouthink.Foronething,LinkedInwillpesteryouuntilyourprofileis100%complete.Youllgetanemailremindertokeepatitwhichisagoodmotivatingtacticwhenyougetstarted.(Ifyoureonarollanddontneedreminders,though,learnmoreaboutTurningOffEmailNotifications).

Ifyoufollowthesebasicstrategies,youllgofromBeginner

toAllStarinnotime!

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Secondly,thisisyouropportunitytoshowcaseallofyouraccomplishmentsandpresentyourselfasawellrounded,accomplishedindividualexactlywhateverycollegeadmissionsdepartmentislookingfor.

5.ButDontUploadYourResumeWhenyoustartbuildingyourprofile,LinkedInwillgiveyoutheoptiontouploadyourresumetocompleteyourprofile.Dontdoitnotnow,notlater.Aresumeonlygivespeopleasnapshotofyourachievements.Youllwanttospendtheextratimeandefforttoenteryourprofileinformationmanuallythatwayyoucanaddmoredepthtoyouraccomplishments.

6.AddMore,RatherThanLess

WhoevercoinedthephraselessismoreneverhadaLinkedInprofile.Itsalwaysbettertoaddtoomuch,especiallyatthisearlystageinyourcareer.Remember,LinkedInisadynamictool,soyoucanalwaysremovecontentasyoufinetuneyourprofile.

7.AlwaysAddMultimediaLinks

TakeadvantageofLinkedInsmultimedialinksfeature.Always,always,alwaysprovidealinktodigitalcontentthatsupportsyourprojectsandaccomplishments!

Addingmultimediacontentmakesyourprofilemoreengagingandmemorable

8.TurnOffEmailNotificationsThenumberonecomplaintyoullhearfromLinkedInusersofallagesisthattheyreceivetoomuchemailfromLinkedIn.ItsnotthatLinkedInisspammingitsusers,itsjustthatthedefaultnotificationscanbealittletoomuch,especiallywhenyourejustgettingstarted.Therefore,youllneedtoproactivelymanageyouremailnotificationstolimittheamountofemailsyouget.Untilyou'recomfortablewithLinkedIn,turnoffyournotificationsunderPrivacy&Settings>Communications>Setthefrequencyofemails.

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ToavoidgettingoverwhelmedbyLinkedInsnumerousemailreminders,adjustyourfrequencysettings

9.SetYourPrivacytoPrivate

WheneveryoumakeachangetoyourLinkedInprofile,regardlesshowsmall,itpostsanupdatetoyouractivityfeedforallyourconnectionstosee.Youllwanttoreserveyourupdatesforthingsthatmatter.Forexample,whenyouwanttoletyournetworkknowthatyouvebeenacceptedtoyourdreamcollege.Yournetworkdoesntneedtoknowyousimplyrewordedsomeofyourexistinginformation,ormademinorcosmeticupdates!Bystrategicallymanagingyournotifications,yournetworkwillknowthatifsomethingappearsinyouractivityfeed,itsworthknowingabout.Whenyoufirststartbuildingyourprofile,setyourprivacytoprivateunderPrivacy&

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Settings>Profile>Turnon/offyouractivitybroadcasts.

Setyouractivitybroadcaststooffwhenyoufirststartworkingonyourprofile,orwheneveryouremakingsmallchanges

YoucanalsoupdateyournetworknotificationsettingonyourEditProfilepage.Youllseeitintherighthandcolumn.

LinkedInmakesiteasytoNotifyyournetworkornot.Asyouedityourprofile,you

caneasilytoggleyoursettingon(yes)oroff(no)

10.Ultimately,LinkedInisMoreArtthanScience

Granted,thereisatriedandtruesystemusingLinkedIneffectively,andplentyofwelldocumenteddosanddonts.

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ButrealsuccessonLinkedInwhichmeansseparatingyourselffromthecrowdcomesdowntoyourcreativityanddetermination.AnybodycansetupaLinkedInprofile,butnoteveryoneusesittoitsfullestpotential.Tothatend,LinkedInhasalotoftoolstohelpyoupromoteyourprofileandaccomplishmentssoyoucandifferentiateyourselffromothercollegeapplicants.

B.HowtoCreateandOptimizeYourLinkedInProfileWhenyoucreateyourprofile,LinkedInwillrecommendsectionsthatyoushouldadd.Thelargeiconsandtext,suchasPhotoandExperience,arethemostimportantsections.Underneathyoullalsoseeadditionalsectionsyoushouldeventuallyadd.

AsyoustartfillingoutyourLinkedInprofile,therightcolumnwillRecommendsectionsyoushouldadd

Afteryouvecreatedyourprofileandaddedthekeysections,youllusetheAddandEditbuttonstofinetuneyourprofile.

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TheAddandEditiconswillbeyourconstantcompanionsasyoucreateandoptimize

yourLinkedInprofileIncertainsectionsyoucanalsoaddmultimediacontent,whichwillenhanceyourprofilewithinteractivecontent.[SeeHowtoAddDigitalContenttoYourProfile.]

WhenyouseetheAddmultimediacontentimage,itsanopportunitytoaddrichcontenttoyourprofile.Alwaysuseit!

1.SetUpaFreeAccountThatsallyoullneedrightnow.LaterinyourcareeryoumaywanttoupgradetooneofLinkedInspaidaccounts,butfornowstickwithafreeone.Whenyoustartcreatingyourprofile,thedefaultIamcurrentlyoptionisEmployed.ChangeittoStudent.Thenenteryourhighschool(thenamesofcollegeswillautopopulate,justignoreit)andtheyearyouexpecttograduate.Ifyoureunder18,youllneedtoenteryourbirthdate.(Note:youneedtobeover13yearsoldtouseLinkedIn.)

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Employedisthedefaultoptionwhenyoustartcreatingyourprofile

ChoosetheStudentoptionandenteryourhighschoolunderSchool/University.Ifyoureunder18,provideyourdateofbirth

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Tip:WhenyouclicktheCreatemyprofilebutton,youllneedtoconfirmyouremailaddressbeforeyoucanstartworkingonyourprofile.LinkedInwillencourageyoutoaddyouremailaddress,interests,etc.Fornow,youcanSkipthesesteps.

2.UseYourFullName(andThenSome)

Alwaysuseyourfullname.AlotofnewLinkedInusersdontusetheirfullname,butyouabsolutelyneedto,especiallywhenyoureconnectingwithnewpeople.Thinkofyouraccountnameasyourfirstformalintroductiontosomeone:itslikeavirtualhandshakewhereyoustateyourfullnameinaprofessionalsetting,suchasajoborcollegeadmissionsinterview.Yourfullnamealsoshowsthatyouraccountislegitimateandnotaspamaccount.

Tip:Ifyournameisfairlycommonandhasalotofcompetitionforsearchenginevisibility,youmayalsowanttouseyourmiddleinitialoryourfullmiddlename.

HereareafewmorereasonswhyafullnameonyourLinkedInprofileisimportant:a)ReputationUsingyourfullnameshowsyouunderstandhowLinkedInworks,andthatyoureusingLinkedIninaprofessionalmanner.b)ConnectionsPeoplewanttoknowtheyreconnectingwitharealperson,andpotentiallysomeonetheyalreadyknow.Ifyoudontuseyourfullname,peoplemightnotrecognizeyouwhenyousendthemaconnectioninvite.Orifitsanewconnectionwhodoesntpersonallyknowyou,yourprofilewilllooklikeaspamaccountandtheymightignoreyoualtogether.c)SearchEngineRankings

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AnoptimizedLinkedInprofilewillhelpyouranknearthetopofthethesearchengines,whichwillbeimportantwhenacollegeadmissionscounselor(orfutureemployer)searchesforyourname.d)PersonalBrandingPersonalbrandingwhoyouare,andwhatyoudoreallywellisoneofthemostimportantreasonstouseyourfullnameonyourLinkedInprofile.Youvealreadystartedtodefineyourbrandwithyourpersonalstatementessaystocompletethepicture,youneedtoensureyourfullnameisassociatedwithyourpersonalbrand.ThatswhereagoodLinkedInprofilecanhelpyou:itbindsyournameandyourpersonalbrandtogether.

Yourfullnamewillletpeopleknowyourearealperson,helpyoubuildapersonalbrand,andincreaseyoursearchenginevisibility

Personalbrandingischallengingforeventhemostseasonedbusinessprofessionals,butdontletthatslowyoudown.Ifyoustartworkingonyourpersonalbrandinhighschool,youllgraduallyimproveitasyougainmorebusinessexperience.

PersonalBrandingTipsUseHowManyofMetofindouthowcommonyournameis,thendoaGoogleSearchtoseehowyourankinthesearchengines.Chancesareyoullneedtodoalittleworktomakeittothetopofthesearchengineresultspage.ThegoodnewsisaLinkedInprofilewillputyounearthetopofthepageifyouuseyourfullnameonyourLinkedInprofileandestablishyour

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profileURLasyourpersonalbrand.YoulldiscoverhowtocustomizeyourprofileURLbelow.Tip:Remembertobeconsistentandusethisnameacrossallyoursocialmediaprofiles.Tobroadenyourpersonalbrandevenmore,establishapresenceonotherkeysocialmediasites,likeBehance,Twitter,Tumblr,andInstagramifyourenotthereyet,makeitaprioritytoatleastgrabyourprofilenamesoon.

Insummary,yourfullnamemaybeenoughfornow.Ifyouneedtostandoutinacrowdedfieldofsimilarnames,addaJr.orII(orIIIorIV)toyourname,oruseyourmiddleinitialorevenyourfullmiddlename.

3.UploadaProfessionalPhoto

Onceyouveconfirmedyouremailaddress,youllstartfillinginyourHeadingandContactsections.Thefirstthingyoullwanttodoisaddaprofessionalprofilephoto.Thisisveryimportant:YourLinkedInphotoisoneofthemostcrucialpartsofyourprofile.Onafunctionallevel,itbuildstrustwithpotentialconnectionsbylettingthemknowyourearealperson,notaspamaccount.Itsalsothefirstthingsomeonelooksatwhentheylandonyourprofile,soyoucanuseittomakeapositivefirstimpression.ButyourLinkedInphotodoessomethingmore:itallowsyoutocraftaprofessionalimageofyourself,whichiskeyforyourpersonalbrand.

Makesureyouaddaphotothat

enhancesyourprofessionalimage

Inmostcases,itsworthinvestinginaprofessionalheadshot.TheinitialcostwillcertainlyjustifythelongtermpositiveimpacttoyourLinkedInprofile,aswellasyourprofessionalimage.Plus,ifyoureinvolvedinleadershipandextracurricularactivitiesatyourschool,its

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goodtohaveaheadshothandy.YoumightaswellinvestinagoodonenowandhaveitavailablenotjustforLinkedIn,butforallyourotherimportanteventsinthefuture.Herearesometipsontakingaprofessionalphoto.Agoodphotographershouldsuggestallofthesefeatures,whichiswhyitpaystoworkwithaprofessional.

UseaNeutralBackground.Avoidanythingwithdistractingbackgrounds,likelandscapes,crowdedplaces,orotherpeople.

Look(andDress)LikeaProfessional.Howareyougoingtodressforyour

interviewwithacollegeadmissionscounselor?Chancesareyoullwanttolookyourbest,soyoucanmakeagreatimpression.Foryoungmen,thatmeansacollaredshirt,tie,andablazer.Foryoungwomen,ablouseandablazer.

AvoidAnythingFlashy.Thisisntthetimetomakeafashionstatementwith

yourclothing,jewelry,orotheraccessories.

LookattheCamera.Youllwanttomakeeyecontactinordertomakeaconnectionwithyouraudience.Thephotographershouldtellyouwhichanglebringsoutyourbestfeatures.

a)AlternativestoaStandardHeadshot

Sometimesitsokaytobreaktheruleslistedabove.Hereacoupleofsituationswhenyoucanandshouldskiptheprofessionalheadshotphoto.i.CluborGroupUniform.Ifyoureinagroupthatusesauniformorsomesortofdistinctivedresscode,thisisagoodwaytobothlooksharpandtoidentifyyourselfwithanextracurricularactivity.Thegroupdoesntneedtobeschoolbased,itcanbeafaithorcommunitybasedgroup,aswell.

Aformalphotoinyourgroupuniformisanexcellentreplacementforastandardheadshot.Italsoreinforcesyourleadershipaccomplishments

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ii.ActionShot.Haveaphotowhereyoureacceptinganaward?Speakingtoanaudience?Useaphotothatportraysyouasanaccomplishedleaderorengagedinaleadershipactivity.

Actionphotossendapowerfulmessageaboutyourskillsandaboutwhoyouare.Thisphotocombinesagroupuniformwithapublicspeakingactionshot

PhotosYoullWanttoAvoidonYourLinkedInProfile:

Selfies! Photoswheresomeonehasbeencroppedfromthephoto Casual(orworse,sloppy)attire Groupphotos(yourLinkedInprofileisaboutyou,afterall)

Shareyourselfieswithclosefriends,notyourLinkedInconnections

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Tip#1:Forgreaterimpact,useyourfavoritephotohostingserviceandcreateaphotoalbumthatincludesyourheadshotandotherprofessionalphotos.Attachittoyoursummarysectionsoadmissionscounselorswillseeyouasanactionorientedleader.Inadditiontoyourheadshot,includeactivitieswhereyouareacceptingawards,volunteeringincommunityserviceactivities,participatinginsportingevents,andsoon.

Tip#2:GetmoremileagefromyourLinkedInphotobyusingitwithyourotherbusinessrelatedsocialmediaprofiles,suchasBehanceorTwitter.Thatwillgiveyouaconsistentlookacrossmultiplesocialmediaprofiles.

4.AddStudenttoYourHeadline,andPromoteYourPersonalBrandUseyourheadlinetoletpeopleknowyoureastudent,and,ifpossible,tocreate(orsupport)yourpersonalbrandingstatement.Remember,brandingisallaboutdifferentiatingyourselffromthecrowd.Thismaytakeyouatryortwoandyoumayevenchangeitquiteafewtimes.Thatsokay,thekeyistocraftsomethingthatcaptureswhatyouregoodatin120charactersorless.Ifpossible,trytointegrateyoureducationalgoalsintoyourheadline.Forexample,ClassVicePresidentatXYZHighSchool,FutureAccountantletspeopleknowyoureastudentleaderwhoplanstostudyaccountingincollege.Yourprofessionalheadlineisthelineunderneathyourname.Ifyoudliketoseeexamples,clickshowexamples.Rememberthatyourtitleshouldincludestudent,futurecareergoals,andanyleadershipactivities.

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Whenyouclickshowexamplesyoullseehowtitlesaretypicallylisted.Usesignalsinyourheadline,suchasstudent,yourfutureeducationalgoals,andanyleadership

activitiesIfyouchoseanIndustryduringyourinitialsignup(ifyoudidnot,seethenextsection),

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youcanalsoclickSeewhatotherusersinyourindustryareusing.YoullseealistingofLinkedInusersinthatparticularIndustry.Youcanscrollthroughthelisttolookforinspiration,ifyouneedto.

GetaflavoroftitlesotherpeopleinyourindustryareusingbyselectingSeewhatotherusersinyourindustryareusingintheYourprofessionalheadlinesection

Tip#1:Ifyourealreadyrunningyourownbusinessorworkingatajobyouwanttobeidentifiedwith,youcanalsousethatinyourjobtitle.Justmakesureitfitsyourlongtermeducationalobjectives.

Tip#2:Dontfeelpressuredtoaddajobtitle,ifyoudontwantto.StudentatXYZHighSchoolisfinewhileyoureinschool.

5.IndustryYoumayhavealreadycompletedthisstepduringthesignupprocess.Unfortunately,LinkedIndoesntofferfulltimestudentasanoptionundertheIndustrysection.Ifyouhaveaparttimejoborinternshipthatrelatestoyourfuturestudiesorcareer,oryouveworkedinabusinessfieldthatinterestsyou,youcanchoosethatasan

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Industry.AnotheroptionistochooseanIndustrywhereyoudliketowork.Thatwillsendasignalaboutwhatyourfuturecareergoalsareandhelpyouwithnetworkinglateron.ToaddanIndustry,clickthepencilnexttothelocationfield.

EditthelocationsectiontoaddanIndustrytoyourprofileTheIndustrydesignationdoesnthaveabigimpactonyourLinkedInprofilerightnow,sodontspendtoomuchtimetryingtofindtheidealclassification.

6.ContactInfo

IntheContactInfosection,youlladdyourTwitterandWeChataccountsandanywebsitesorsocialmediaprofilesyoudliketopromote,inadditiontothestandardcontactinformation.

AddyourTwitterandWeChataccountsandWebsites,suchasyourotherprofessionalorientedsocialmediaprofilesorblogs

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YoucanaddthreeWebsitestoyourLinkedInprofile,whichcanincludeprofessionalorientedsocialmediaprofileslikeYouTubeandBehance,orblogs.Youlldefinitelywanttouseallthreeslots:Itwillincreaseyourvisibilityinthesearchenginesandsendsthesignalthatyoureanactive,accomplishedstudent.ChooseOtherwhenaddingyourWebsites.ThisgivesyoutheoptiontoaddakeywordrichWebsiteTitle.UsetheTitledescriptiontoreinforceyourfullname,oranyotherpersonalbrandingtermsyouwanttofocuson.

ChooseOthertocustomizethenamesofyourWebsites.Youllwanttousekeywords,suchasyourfullname,thatenhanceyourpersonalbrandandincreaseyoursearch

enginevisibilitySaveyourWebsites,thenclickPublishyourpublicprofile.Thisstepiscrucial,becauseyouwantyourprofiletobefoundinthesearchengines!

OnceyouvesavedyourWebsites,clickPublishyourpublicprofileAfteryouvecreatedyourprofile,youcanaccessyourPublicProfileSettingsbyvisitingAccount&Settings>Privacy&Settings>Edityourpublicprofile.ThiswilltakeyoutoyourPublicProfilepage,whereyoullbeabletoCustomizeYourPublicProfileandcreateYourpublicprofileURL.YoullneedtoswitchtheCustomizeYourPublicProfilesectiontoMakemypublicprofilevisibletoeveryonethedefaultwillbevisibletonoone.Thencheckalloftheboxesforthesectionsyouvecreatedsofar.

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MakesureyourprofileispublicandyoucreateacustomLinkedInURL

Tip:Asyouaddmoresections,remembertorevisityourPublicProfileSettingsandcheckanyemptyboxes.

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Makeyourpublicprofilevisibletoeveryoneandcheckalloftheboxestogiveyourprofilemaximumvisibilityinthesearchengines

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Next,youllneedtocreateacustomLinkedInURLforyourprofile.YourpublicprofileURLwillbewhatpeopleseewhentheylookatyourprofile,anditsalsoindexedbythesearchengines,soitsanopportunityforyoutostakeoutsomesearchenginespaceforyourpersonalbrand.Plus,itmakesyourprofilelookmoreprofessionalandshowseveryoneyouknowhowtouseLinkedIn.YoushoulduseyourpersonalbrandURL,suchas/YourFullName,ifitsavailable.Surprisingly,somepeopledontdothisitonlytakesaminuteandaddsalotofvaluetoyourprofile.Consideritfreemarketingforyourpersonalbrand!

YoucanandshouldcustomizeyourLinkedInpublicprofileURL.Useittoreinforceyourpersonalbrand

Choose+CreateyourcustomURLonyourPublicProfileSettingspage.

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YourpublicprofileURLcancontain530lettersornumbers.Trytouseyourfullname,ifthatiswhatyoureusingforyourpersonalbrand

Remember:YourpublicprofileURLisextremelyimportant.ItsyouruniqueidentifieronLinkedInandhelpsyoureinforceyourpersonalbrand.Whenyourefinished,yourTwitterandWeChataccountsandthreeprofessionalWebsiteswillhelpyoupromoteyouraccomplishments.YoullalsohaveacustomizedpublicprofileURLthatwillenhanceyourpersonalbrand.

Congratulations,youvenowpromotedyourothersocialmediaprofiles!Thesearchengineswillloveyou

Tip:UseyourpublicprofileURLonyourresume,inemailfooters,onyourbusinesscards,collegeapplications,andwhereverelseyoushowyourcontactinformation.

Sofar,youve: addedyourfullname(andperhapsthrowninsomesuffixes,middlenamesor

initials) createdaheadlinethatincludesStudentandyourcurrentorfuturecourseof

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study uploadedaprofessionallookingphoto choseanindustry(mainlybecauseyouhadto,notbecauseitsimportantright

now) addedyourothersocialmediaprofilesandwebsites

Nowitstimetomoveintosomeheavydutyprofilemanagement:yourSummaryandExperiencesections.Thegoodnewsisyoualreadyhavethisinformation(orwillhaveitsoon)intheformofpersonalessaysandaresume.Ifyoudonthavethisinformationyet,thencompletingtheSummaryandExperiencesectionsaspartofyourLinkedInprofilewillhelpyouimmenselywithyourcollegeapplications,personalessays,andresume!Letsgetstarted.

7.Summary

YourSummaryisanotherimportantsliceofyourprofile.Atfirst,itmightseemlikeitsthemostchallengingsection.Why?Becauseitforcesyoutocondenseyourlife,goals,andambitionsintoacoupleofparagraphs.

Butagain,threewordsofadvice:goforit!OnceyoustartworkingonyourSummary,youllfinditsnotaschallengingasyoumightthink.Mostimportantly,,awellwrittenSummaryisoneofthebestwaystopromoteyourself,soitsworththeeffort:AgoodSummarywillmakepeoplewanttolearnmoreaboutyou,andwanttogettoknowyoubetter.TheSummaryisattheverytopofyourprofile,soitswhatpeoplewillseeandreadfirst,alongwithyourPhoto(which,asmentionedabove,isthemostimportantpartofyourprofilebecausethatswherepeoplelookfirst),HeadingandContactsections.

Tip:KeepyourSummaryattheverytopofyourprofile,whereitisoriginallylocated.Itstherebydefault,sodontbetemptedtomoveit.

TheSummaryiswhereyougettotellahighlevel,condensedversionofyourstory:

Whatyouvedoneinthepast

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Howitsshapedyoutoday,and Howittiesintoyourfutureplans

Mightsoundfamiliar,right?Thatsbecauseitsthepersonalstatementessayforyourcollegeapplications.Whichgivesyouanadvantage,becausechancesareyouhaveatleastadraftofyourpersonalstatementessaysomewhere,whetherindigitalformorsimplyrattlingaroundinyourbrain,justwaitingtogetout.Whatbetterplacetodebutit,thanonyourLinkedInprofile?Ifyouhaventstartedwritingyourcollegeessays,thisisagreatplacetotrythemoutyoucanseehowyouressayslook,whattheysoundlike,andyoucansharethemwithotherpeopleforconstructivefeedback.YoucanalsoeasilyedityourSummaryatanytimeasyoufinetuneyourpersonalstatementessays.HereshowtocraftyourSummarysection:a)TellYourStoryThispartshouldberelativelyeasyifyourealreadywritingyourcollegeessaysoryoullbewritingthemsoon,inwhichcaseyourestartingtothinkaboutthestoryyouwanttotellonyourterms,ofcourse.Yourstoryshouldfocusonwhatmotivatesandinspiresyou,andwhyyouvedecidedtopursueyourchosencareerpath.

Tip:DonttrytoforcetoomuchintoyourSummaryDuetospacelimitations,youllneedtotellyourstoryin300wordsorless,whichisapproximatelyonetypedpageoftext.

b)LayOutYourRoadMaptoSuccessIntegrateyoureducationalgoals,andhowyourplannedcourseofstudywillhelpyoureachyourcareergoals.c)CreateandReinforceYourPersonalBrandTheSummarysectionistheidealplacetodevelopyourpersonalbrand.Itshouldreinforcetheskillsandqualitiesthatmakeyouunique,anditshouldbedrawnfromyour

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experiences,yourcourses,andyourlongtermcareergoals.TipsonWritingYourSummarySection

StayFocusedDonttrytofittoomuchintoyourSummary.Itstemptingtofillitupwithaccomplishments,butyoullhaveplentyofspacetodothatinothersections,suchasExperience.Instead,writeaboutoneortwokeyeventsandhowtheyinspiredyoutopursueyourmajororcareerpath.Mostimportantly,beengagingandcompelling,sothatpeoplewillwanttoreadonandlearnmoreaboutyou.

UsetheFirstPersonYoullwanttowriteinyourownvoicesoyoucome

acrossasgenuine,owningyourownstoryandvision.Donotwriteinthe3rdperson.

LinktoDigitalContentIfyouhavearesume,postitonlinetoScribdor

Slideshareandprovidealinktoitusingthemultimediafeature.Dothesamewithaprofessionalimagephotoalbum,videos,andotherrelevantdocumentsandpresentationsthatsupportthevisionyoulaidoutinyourSummary.

[Thenextsection,MakeYourProfileStandOut:HowtoAddDigitalContenttoYourProfile,outlinesthesesteps.]

8.Experience

ThinkyoudonthaveenoughworkhistorytoaddtoyourExperiencesection?Itwouldseemthissectiononlyappliestorealjobs,right?Youactuallyhavemoreexperience,andmorethingsyoucanaddinthissection,thanyoumayrealize.

TheExperiencesectionisanopportunityforyoutohighlightanytypeofbusinessrelatedexperienceyouhave,suchas:

WorkExperienceAnydirectworkexperience,whetherfullorparttime.

InternshipsWhetheritwaspaidorunpaid,aninternshipdemonstratesyouveperformedbasicjobdutiesinaformalcorporateenvironment.

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VolunteerActivitiesDidyouholdaleadershiporcommitteeroleforavolunteergroup?Raisemoneyforanimportantcause?Listthebusinessrelatedaspectsofyourvolunteeractivities.(Likewise,inyourVolunteersectionyoushouldaddjobaccomplishmentstoyourvolunteeractivities).

LeadershipIfyouheldaleadershippositioninaschool,churchorcivicgroup,

listithere,alongwithadescriptionofallthethingsyouaccomplished.

EntrepreneurialActivitiesThesecanbeoneoffprojectsorsustainedbusinessactivitiesyoureinvolvedin.

Inshort,addallactivitiesthatrequiredyoutodemonstrateandusebusinessskills,whethertheywerehobbiesorfullorparttimejobs.Remember,youcanaddmultimediacontenttothissectionfromsiteslikeYouTube,Slideshare,andBehancetomakeyourprofilemoreprofessional.[SeeHowtoAddDigitalContenttoYourProfile.]

Tip:ThroughoutyourentireLinkedInprofile,trytoputthingsinmorethanoneplace.Forexample,youshouldaddyourcommunityserviceactivitiestoyourExperiencesection,yourVolunteerandCausessection,yourProjectssection,andsoon.

TipsonWritingYourExperienceSectionYoucanthinkofyourExperiencesectionasamorerobustversiontheresumeafterall,youcanaddmultimediacontenttogiveyouraccomplishmentsmoredepth.EverythingyoulistinyourExperiencesectionshouldreinforceandbuildyourpersonalbrand,whilefocusingonyourlongtermeducationalgoals.FollowthesestepstowriteanoutstandingExperiencesection:

1. Brieflyintroducethecompany,andthedivisionordepartmentyouworkedin.

2. Describeyourrole.

3. Listtheskillsyouused,notthedutiesofthejob.Whileitseasyandtempting

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tolistjobduties,agoodExperiencesection(andevenagoodresume)shouldbebrimmingwithskillsbasedachievements.

a. Explainhowyouractionsandskillscontributedtothedivisionand

company.

b. Useplentyofnumbersandmetricswhereveryoucan!

c. Showactionwithverbslike:

Grew Developed Influenced Promoted Led Managed

HereisalistofactionverbstoaddtoyourExperiencesection(andyourresume,whileyoureatit).

d. Sprinkleinafewkeyterms.Thesewordswillsetyouraccomplishments

apartandalsodemonstrateanentrepreneurialspirit:

New First Introduced Launched Unveiled Saved Developed Created

4. Listspecifictasksandaccomplishments,focusingontheorganizational,

technical,andleadershipskillsyouused.

5. Usebulletpointstoseparatethemfromyouropeningnarrative.

6. Provideaweblinktothecompany(whenyoucan).ThisputstheirofficiallogonexttoyourExperiencedescriptionandaddscredibilitytoyourprofile.

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Tip:NeedhelpaddingskillstoyourExperiencesection?Jumpdowntotheskillssectiononyourprofile.Youlisted(orwillsoonlist)anumberofskillsthere,andsomeofyourconnectionsmayhavealreadyendorsedyouforcertainskills.TakethoseskillsandsprinklethemthroughoutyourExperiencesection.

9.Skills

FortheSkillssection,youcanaddupto50skills.Tostart,choose25skillsyoudliketohighlight.

RecommendationsarebetteronLinkedIn,butendorsedSkillsareagood,easywaytoaddcredibilitytoyourprofile.Plus,youcancontroltheSkillsthatappearonyourprofile.Endorsementswillbenefityourprofileinanumberofways:

theymakeyoumorevisibleonLinkedIn theycreatetheperceptionthatyoureanaccomplishedstudent theyaddanelementofprofessionalismtoyourprofile futureemployersarelookingforskilledemployees,soyoucanstartbuildingout

yourSkillsatanearlyageTrytofocusontheSkillsthatwillhelpyoubesuccessfulinyourfuturecollegestudies.FirstyoullneedtosetyourSkillsandEndorsementspermissionstoYes.

ChooseYestogiveyourprofilethemostexposure.EndorsementswillmakeyourLinkedInprofilelookmoreprofessionalandenhanceyourreputation

Next,youllhavetheoptiontoAdd&RemoveorManageEndorsements.

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ToaddSkills,starttypingtheskillintheAddboxandyoullseealistofprepopulatedskillsappear.Forexample,ifyouwanttoaddpublicspeakingasaskill,starttypingpublicandyoullseealltheskillsetsthatstartwithpublicinthedropdownmenu.OnceyouveaddedSkills,youcanmovethembychoosingDragtoreorderatthebottomofthelist.

Whatskillswillhelpyouwithyourcollegeapplicationsandlongtermeducationalgoals?Addthosetoyourprofile

YoucanmoveyourSkillswiththeDragtoreorderfeatureOnceyouveaddedSkillstoyourprofile,overtimeyoullstarttoseeprofilepicturesofpeoplethathaveendorsedyourSkillsandhowmanytimesyourSkillshavebeenendorsed.Youllalsoreceivenotificationsviaemail,ifyouchoose,whensomeonehasendorsedyou.

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If99+isdisplayednexttotheSkill,clickthenumbertoseeexactlyhowmanytimesyouvebeenendorsed.

YouandanyonethatvisitsyourprofilewillseethenumberoftimesyouvebeenendorsedforaSkill

Ifyouclickonthe99+youllseetheexactnumberoftimesyouvebeenendorsedfora

Skill,andwhoendorsedyouIfyourehavingtroubledevelopingyourinitiallistofSkills,youcanstartwiththese20essentialsoftSkills.YoullneedtheseSkillsinbothcollegeandtheworkforce,andyouvehadtheopportunitytodevelopmostoftheseSkillsinyournormalhighschoolstudiesandextracurricularactivities.ThesearealsopartofLinkedInscore,prepopulatedSkillslist,sotheyreeasytoaddtoyourprofile.

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JustmakesureyouactuallyhavetheseSkills! Teamwork TeamBuilding Collaboration Listening Writing Editing PublicSpeaking InterpersonalSkills Initiative TimeManagement Multitasking StudySkills Leadership ProjectPlanning Reports ProblemSolving EasilyAdaptable AnalyticalSkills Analysis ProductivityTools

YoucanalsoaddthehardSkillsyouhave,suchasMicrosoftWord,PowerPoint,GoogleDocs,etc.Remember,justgetstartedandyourlistwillstartgrowingquickly!a)GivingandReceivingEndorsementsYoullalsowanttoaskpeopletoendorseyourSkillswheneveryouhavethechance.Justremember,itsnotaonewaystreet:youshouldalsoendorseyourconnectionsSkills,eitherproactivelyorwhenasked.Thankfully,LinkedInmakesiteasyforyou.Whenyouvisitaconnectionsprofile,youllseeaboxthatencouragesyoutoendorseyourconnectionwithsomeprepopulatedSkills(assumingthatyoucheckedyesto

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theShowmesuggestionstoendorsemyconnectionsboxinyourSkillsandEndorsementSettings).YoucanalsoTypeanotherareaofexpertisetoaddmoreSkillsorclickthextoremovetheSkillfromthelist.

Yourconnectionswillappreciateanendorsementwheneveryouvisittheirprofiles

YoucanusetheprepopulatedSkillsoraddyourownbytypingaSkillintotheemptybox

Inadditiontoappreciatingyourendorsement,yourconnectionwillmostlikelyreturnthefavorandendorseyou,too.AfteryoueitherEndorseorSkip,youllseeanothersetofconnectionswiththeopportunitytoendorsethemforonespecificSkill.Youcanclosetheboxatanytimeby

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clickingthexintheupperrightcorner.

Youcanendorseyourotherconnectionswhenyourevisitingaconnectionsprofile.YoucanusetheClosebuttonorthexintheupperrighttoclosetheboxatanytime.You

canalsochoosexintheprofileboxtoclosejustthatprofile

Tip:Aspeoplevisityourprofile,theywillendorseyourSkillsets.Youllthenhavetheoptiontoaddtheirendorsementstoyourprofile.Thatswhyyouonlyneedtoadd25Skillsfornowyoucanletotherpeopledotheworkofidentifyingyourother25Skills.

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Whenyouvisityourprofilepage,youllreceiveanoticewheneveryourconnectionshaveendorsedyoufornewSkills

10.Certifications

Someschools,leadershipgroups,andcommunityorganizationsofferCertificationopportunitiesindifferentfields,suchasCPRandcertainInformationTechnologyareas.

Ifyourenottakingadvantageofthese,youshould!Certificationsshowthatyoureawellroundedpersonwhoiscontinuallyadvancingtheirskillsets.SomeCertificationsmayalsoberelatedtoyourplannedmajor,whichwilladdevenmorecredibilitytoyourprofile.

IfyouvecompletedanyCertifications,addthemtoyourprofile

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11.VolunteeringandCauses

Thissectionisidealforstudents.IfyouVolunteerandsupportCausesyourepassionateabout,listthemonyourLinkedInprofile.

Alotofschoolsrequiretheirstudentstoperformcommunityservicehours,sothismaybesomethingyourealreadydoing,whichmakesiteasytoaddtoyourprofile.Anotherbenefitisthatwhileyourevolunteering,yourealsodevelopinganddemonstratingkeybusinessskills,whichmeansyoucanaddthesevolunteerrelatedactivitiesandskillstootherpartsofyourprofile,suchasyourExperiencesection.

Tip:ConsiderusingsomecautionwiththeCausesyoulist.YoumaywanttoavoidlistingCausesthatmightbeviewedascontroversialissueswhetheryouviewthemascontroversialornotunlesstheyrelatetoyourlongtermgoals.Checkwithaparentormentorifyoureunsure.

12.Languages

Thisisanotherareathatisidealforstudents.Mostlikelyyouvetakenalanguageortwoinschool.

Addthem.Itdoesntmatterifyourenotproficient(yet):youreinhighschool,soanyonelookingatyourprofilewillknowyoureinthelearningstages.Andifyouareproficient,congratulations,definitelysayso!

13.HonorsandAwards

Honors&Awardsistheplacetolistspecificandmuchdeservedrecognitionyouvereceived.

SomeofyourHonors&Awardswillnaturallybeacademicrelated,butlistanythingthatdistinguishesyoufromyourpeers,including:

Sports LeadershipGroupsandActivities

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Workshops Presentations

Again,becreative.Wereyouaskedtospeakatameeting?Listit.Didyoudoapresentationatyourlocalelementaryschooltopromotealiteracyevent?Listit.Wereyoumentionedinanarticleinyourschoolnewsletter?Listitanddontforgettolinktoit,ifpossible.Yougetthepicture.

14.Projects

TheProjectsfeatureisagreatwaytohighlightspecificaccomplishments.

Thesecouldbeclassexperiments,indepthreportsyoucompiledforaclass,acommunityserviceactivity,andmuchmore.Theycanbeeitherindividualorteambasedprojects.Asalways,uploadyoursupportingprojectmaterialsonlinedocuments,videos,newsarticles,PowerPointslides,etc.andprovidealinktoitonyourLinkedInprofile.ToaddadescriptionandlinktoyourProjects,choose+Addproject.Next,addtheNameoftheProject,yourOccupation(youcanchooseStudent),theDate,theProjectURL,TeamMembers,andaDescription.RemembertoaddkeywordstotheNameandDescriptionthatsupportyourpersonalbrandandsignalyourcollegeandcareergoals.

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EntertheProjectinformation,withanemphasisonkeywordsintheNameandDescriptionthatenhanceyourpersonalbrandandletpeopleknowwhatyour

educationalgoalsare.TheProjectURLisimportantitaddsaninteractivehyperlinktoyourLinkedInprofile

15.Organizations

Whatorganizationsandgroupsareyouinvolvedwith?Doesyourschoolsponsoracharityandyouvecontributedyourtime,expertiseormoney(oralloftheabove)?Listit,evenifitsonlyaonetimeactivity.

16.Courses

Addalloftheclassesyouvetaken.ItwillgivecollegeadmissionscounselorsaneasywaytoquicklyseealltheCoursesyouvecompletedorarecurrentlytaking.

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Addallofyourclassestoyourprofile,especiallyHonors,AP,orothercoursesthatreinforceyoureducationalgoalsanddemonstrateyoursuccessintheclassroom

17.Recommendations

Recommendationsarearequirementforyourcollegeapplications.BesuretoaddthemtoyourLinkedInprofile,too,sincetheywillenhanceandcompleteyourprofile.

SinceLinkedInisanimportantnetworkingplatform,awellwrittenLinkedInrecommendationsendsanimportantsignalaboutthevalueyouaddtoarelationship.Recommendationswillbecomeevenmoreimportantasyoubuildyourcareer,butfornowletslookathowyoucantransformyourcurrentlettersofrecommendationintoaLinkedInsuitableformat.HowisaLinkedInrecommendationdifferentfromastandardcollegerecommendationletter?Forone,youwonthaveasmuchspaceonLinkedIn,sothestandardletterformatwontwork.Inaddition,aLinkedInrecommendationshouldfocusonlyononeortwoofyourkeyqualities,asopposedtoaregularletter,whichtypicallysharesmoredetailsandcoversmoreofyourstrengths.ThatswhyyoullneedLinkedInrecommendationsthatareconciseinbothformatandcontent.

Tip#1:Youcanpostyouroriginal,longerrecommendationsbyeitheruploadingthemorlinkingtothemusingtheAddMultimediaContentfeatureScribd,asupportedprovider,isagoodresource.[SeeHowtoAddDigitalContenttoYourProfileformoreinformation.]

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Tip#2:IfthepeoplewritingyourstandardrecommendationsarentonLinkedIn,invitethemtojoinbysendingthemalink.Thatway,theycanaddtheirabbreviatedrecommendationtoyourprofile.LetthemknowitseasytojoinLinkedInyoucanevensendthemthisguidetohelpthemgetstarted.

WhoShouldYouGetLinkedInRecommendationsFrom?Ataminimum,youllwanttogetrecommendationsfromthepeoplewhowroteyourcollegerecommendations.Connectwiththem(ifyouhaventalready)andproactivelysendthemamodifiedversionoftheirwrittenrecommendation.Again,letthepersonrecommendingyouknowthatyourewillingtohelpthemedittherecommendation,incasetheypreferthatapproach.Youllalsowanttoaskforrecommendationsfromyourotherconnectionsfellowstudents,teachers,businessconnections.YoucanneverhavetoomanyrecommendationsonyourLinkedInprofile,itsoneofthebestsocialsignalsyoucansendaboutyourvalueasaconnection.

Tip:Dontgetdiscouragedifyouasksomeonetorecommendyouandtheydont.Thereareanynumberofreasonstheydontgetaroundtorecommendingyoutimeconstraints,familyobligations,theysimplyforgot.Itsdoubtfulanyofthereasonsarerelatedtoyou.Overall,peoplewanttohelpyou,youjustneedtoaskthem.

Youcanpolitelyfollowuponceandaskiftheresanythingyoucandotohelpwiththerecommendation.Acknowledgethatyouretakingtheirvaluabletime,andexpressyourappreciationinadvance.Howto(Self)WriteaLinkedInRecommendationToboostthelikelihoodyourconnectionswillrecommendyou,youmayneedtoprovidesomeguidanceandsometimesevenwriteaninitialdraftthatyourconnectioncanuseandfinetune.Andbecausethisisanonlinerecommendation,yourenotgoingtohavethespace,orvisualformatting,thatastandardrecommendationletterwouldhave.Thatmeansyour

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LinkedInrecommendationwillbealittledifferentbothinformatandcontent.HereisahelpfulrecommendationformattofollowforLinkedIn:

StarttheRecommendationwithYourMostImportantSkillorQualityThisisthethingyouwantpeopleremember.Whilethisisideallyonesentence,itcouldbetwosentences.Regardless,itshouldsupportyoureducationalgoals,aswellasthepersonalbrandyouvebeendevelopingthroughoutyourLinkedInprofile.

HowYoureRelatedtoYourConnectionAretheyateacher?Principal?

Businessprofessional?

ExampleofYourKeySkill(s)inActionGiveaspecificexampleoftheskill(orskills)mentionedinyourleadsentence.Thisshouldbeaproject,event,oractivitysomethingtangiblethatdemonstrateshowandwhereyouputtheskilltowork.

AddResultsUsenumbers,ifitapplies.Ataminimum,shareanoutcomeofa

projectthatreinforcesyourkeyskills.

FinishwithanUnconditionalRecommendationAvoidreferencingaspecificschool,e.g.JanewouldmakeagreatadditiontoFabulousU.Instead,itshouldbeasupportivestatementabouthowyoullpositivelycontributetoanyacademicenvironment.

Letsputittogetherwithasamplerecommendationoneofyourteachersmightwrite:

IhavealwaysbeenimpressedwithJanestechnicalskills,butwhatreallysetsherapartareherinterpersonalskillsandoutstandingleadershipabilities.AsJanesteacherintheEngineeringAcademyatXYZHighSchool,Isawhertransitionfromaquietyoungadultwithapassionforscienceandtechnology,intoanaturalleaderwhoeffortlesslyinspirespeoplewithheractions.Withherstrongbackgroundinmathandscience,Iknewshewouldbesuccessfulinmyprogram.Earlyon,Janedisplayedaninstinctforleadership,

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steppingintoleadourteamtovictoryinitsfirstRoboticsChallengecompetition.Sheevenmadesomelastminuterecalculationstoourautonomousflightalgorithm,demonstratingherpoiseunderpressure.Forthatreason,IhighlyrecommendJaneasanaccomplishedstudentwhoisanaturalleader.Shewillbeanoutstanding,strongcontributortoanyacademicprogramsheenrollsin,aswellasanycompanyshejoins.

Ifyoucangetyourreferencetowritealettersimilartotheoneabove,youreallset.However,bepreparedtoeditthecontentliberallybeforeyouproactivelysendtherecommendationtoyourcontact.Ifyouneedtorewriteyourrecommendationtofittheaboveformat,simplysendittoyourrecommenderandaskthemtopostittoyourprofile.HowtoAddRecommendationstoYourProfileNowthatyouhavearecommendationformat,itstimetoaddthemtoyourprofile.GotoProfile>EditProfile.ChoosethedownarrowandAsktoberecommended.

ChoosethedropdownarrowonEditProfileandclickAsktoberecommended

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Next,LinkedIntakesyoustepbystepthroughtheprocessofrequestingarecommendation:1)WhatdoyouwanttoberecommendedforChooseyourhighschoolforcollegeapplicationrecommendations,oranyjobsyouhavelistedifitsforaworkrelatedrecommendation.

Tip:Eventhoughthisbookisfocusedoncollegeapplications,takethisopportunitytopromoteanyofyourworkexperience.Ifyouhaveanopportunitytohaveaformermanagerendorseorrecommendyou,youshoulddoit!

2)WhodoyouwanttoaskTochoosetheconnectionyouwanttorecommendyou,starttypingtheirnameandthefieldwillpopulateautomatically.Youcanenterupto3ofyourconnections.Ifyouresendingamodifiedrecommendation,mostlikelyyoullonlywanttoaddoneconnectionsoyoucanpastethatparticularpersonsmodifiedrecommendationintothemessagebox.3)WhatsyourrelationshipYoucanchooseprofessionaloreducation.Ifitsforacollegeapplication,chooseeducation.4)WriteyourmessageIfyoumodifiedtherecommendationandwanttomakeiteasyforyourconnectiontoaddittoyourprofile,includeacopyinthebodyofthemessage.Hereisasampleleadinmessageyoucanuse:

Dear[recommendername],ImaddingrecommendationstomyLinkedInprofileandwouldliketoaddtherecommendationletteryouwroteformycollegeapplications.IvemodifiedyourlettertofitLinkedInsformattingrequirementsandpasteditbelow.Thankyouinadvanceforyourhelp,Igreatlyappreciateit.Letmeknowifyouhaveanyquestions.

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Sincerely,[yourname][pastethemodifiedrecommendationhere]

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Itsaseasyas1234toaskforaRecommendation.Thisimageusesthedefaultmessage,whichyoushouldmodify(seenextimage)

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Tomakeiteasierforthepersonrecommendingyou,addanintroductionthenincludethetextyouwouldlikethemtousewhenyousendtherequest

18.Groups

JoiningGroupsisaneasywaytoconnectwithpeoplewhohavesimilarpassionsandinterests.Groupsalsoshowpeople,likecollegeadmissionscounselorsandfutureemployers,whatyoureinterestedin.

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Forexample,ifyouwanttostudyrobotics,thereareplentyofRoboticsgroupsyoucanjoinonLinkedIn.IfyoufeeltheGroupsyoujoinwillhelpyourapplications,listthemonyourprofile.IfyoudrathernothavetheGroupshowupinyourprofile,youcanchangethevisibilityunderInterests>YourGroups>GroupSettings(thegearbuttononthefarright).YoucantrytojoinGroupsfortheschoolsyoureinterestedin,aswell.ManyoftheAlumniGroupsareclosed,though,sothismightnotalwaysworkforyou.[DiscovermorewaystouseAlumniGroupsintheJoinGroupsandGettheMostfromThemsection.]

a)HowtoFindGroupsHereare3waystofindGroups.i.SearchBoxEnteryoursearchtermintheglobalsearchboxonanypage,andchooseGroupsfromthedropdownmenu.Or,youcansearchallandthenfiltertheresultsonthesearchresultspage.

UsetheglobalsearchboxtofindGroups.ChooseGroupsinthedropdownmenutoonlyreturnresultsforGroups

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Alternatively,youcandoaglobalsearchthenfilterGroupsfromtheleftcolumnofthesearchresultspage

Youllseealistofrelatedgroupsonthesearchresultpage.IfthebuttonsaysJoinandhasalocknexttothedescription,youllneedtorequestpermissiontoJoin.MostcollegeAlumniGroupsrequirepermission.ThedescriptiontellsyouhowActivetheGroupisandhowmanymembersareintheGroup.IfthebuttonsaysViewthenitisanopengroupandyoucanjoinimmediatelywithoutpriorapproval.

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Ifthereisalocknexttothedescription,youllneedpermissiontoJoin.ThesearchresultspagewillshowyouhowmanypeoplearepartoftheGroupandhowActiveitis

IftheresultspageshowsViewyoucanjointheGroupwithoutpriorapproval

YoucanseehowmanypeopleinyournetworkareineachGroupbyclickingontheGrouptitleandgoingtotheGrouphomepage.

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ii.YourConnectionsWhenyouviewtheprofilesofyourconnections,youllseealistofGroupstheybelongto.Clickthe+JoinbuttontoJointheGroup.

SeewhichGroupsyourconnectionshavejoinedatthebottomoftheirprofiles.YoucanquicklyJoinbyclickingthe+Joinbutton

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iii.YourGroupsHomepageWhenyouvisityourGroupshomepageunderInterests>Groups,youllseealistofGroupsyouvealreadyjoined,aswellastheoptiontoFindorCreateaGroup.Attheendofyourlist,youllseeaYoumaybeinterestedinsuggestion.

LinkedInwillsuggestGroupsforyouattheendofyourGroupshomepage.YoucanalsoFindorCreateaGroup

C.MakeYourProfileStandOutbyUnlockingtheHiddenPowerofMultimediaContent

OneofthebestandmostunderusedfeaturesofLinkedInistheopportunitytoaddmultimediacontenttoyourprofile.

YoulldefinitelywanttotakeadvantageofthisfeatureasyourecreatingandoptimizingyourLinkedInprofile.Itsasurefirewaytomakeyourprofilestandoutfromothercollegeapplicants.AstandardLinkedInprofilecontainslotsoftextandtheoccasionalhyperlink.The

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multimediafeatureletsyoucreatearichprofilethatismoreinteractiveandvisuallyappealing.

1.WhatKindofMultimediaContentShouldYouAdd?

Addanythingthathighlightsandsupportsyouraccomplishments:videos,photos,documents,presentations.Makesureyoualwayslinktoyourportfolioofcreativework.Itcanberelatedtoschool,extracurricularactivities,andjobsorinternships.Anditcanbegroupprojectsandactivities,oryoursolowork.

Papers,proposalsandreportsyouvecreatedforyourclasses,especiallyiftheyrerelatedtoyourcollegestudiesandlongtermcareergoals.

Yourresumeandcollegeapplicationessays.

Videosandaudiofilesyouvecreated,especiallyaspartofyourschoolprojects

andcourses.

Presentations,includinganysupportmaterialssuchaspapers,handouts,videosandPowerPointslides.

Usecalltoactionwordslikeclicktoviewtogetpeopletoclickthroughtoyourportfolio.Theseactionwordspullpeopleintoyourlinksotherwise,theymightnotknowtheyshouldclicktoseeyourcontent.

Acalltoactionwillgetpeopletoclickthroughtoyourcontent

Hereisthecompletelistofdigitalcontentyoucanadd.Someofthemorepopularonesyoumayalreadyuseinclude:YouTubeIfyourecreatingvideosforyourcoursesorextracurricularactivities,chancesareyouhaveaYouTubeaccount.Linkyourvideostoyourprofilewhereveryoucan.SlideshareOwnedbyLinkedIn,Slideshareisagreatwaytoboostyoursearchenginerankings.Uploadanyslidesyouvecreatedforyourhighschoolcoursesorprojects,or

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anyleadershipactivities,likeworkshopsandseminarsyouvebeenapartof.BehanceIfyouredoinganysortofcreativework,Behanceisagreatplatformtoshowcaseyourtalents.

a)WhereCanYouAddMultimediaContent?YoucanaddmultimediacontenttotheSummary,Experience,andEducationsectionsofyourLinkedInprofile.

b)HowtoAddMultimediaContenttoYourLinkedInProfileAsyoureeditingyourprofile,clickthemultimediaiconintheSummary,Experience,andEducationsections.Youcanuseoneofthesupportedonlineprovidersoruploadafile.

Tip:Alwaystrytouseasupportedprovidersoyourcontentlooksattractiveandprofessional!

MultimediacontentenhancesyourLinkedInprofile.Clickthebox+signtoaddinteractivemediatoyourprofile

Then,addaLink(preferablyfromasupportedprovider)oraFile

Next,edittheTitleandDescription.Makesureyouaddkeywordsthatsupportyourpersonalbrandandadescriptionthatputsyourprojectsinthebestlightpossible.[Formoreinformationonpersonalbranding,jumptothePersonalBrandingsection.]

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Provideenoughinformationinthedescriptiontoexplaintheprojectandpromoteyourworkinmakingitasuccess.Dontforgettoaddkeywordsthatsupportyourpersonal

brandinyourTitleandDescription,ifitmakessenseYoucanaddcontentfromunsupportedprovidersbyusingtheUploadFileoption.However,LinkedInwillonlyprovideablankimage,whichmakesyourprofilelessattractive.Wheneverpossible,useoneofthesupportedproviderstomakeyourprofilemoreinterestingandvisuallyappealing.

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Whenyouusesupportedproviders,LinkedInautomaticallydisplaysanattractiveimage

theseimagesarefromBehanceandSlideshare

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Ifyouchooseanunsupportedprovider,LinkedInwillonlyshowablankgenericimage

Anunsupportedprovider,Box(left)vs.Scribd(right),asupportedprovider.Whichonewouldyouclickon?

Tip:Inadditiontoenhancingyourprofilewithmultimediacontent,youcanaddstandardhyperlinksunderyourContactsection(byeditingyourWebsiteURLs)andyourProjectssection.

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Chapter2

HowtoUseLinkedIntoConnect

withtheRightPeople

AStepbyStepGuidetoBuildingaLifelongNetworkof(In)ValuableConnections

Inthissection,youll: FindOutWhyYouShouldAlwaysBeConnecting DecipherLinkedInsConnectionLingo UncovertheMechanicsofConnecting,IncludingAdvancedTechniques DiscoverHowtoUnlockthePowerofTagstoManageYourConnections

Networkingisoneofthemostimportantskillsyoucandevelop,bothnowasa

studentandasafuturebusinessprofessional.LinkedInisthepremieronlinenetworkingtool,soyoullwanttomasteritassoonasyoucan.WhenyourebuildingconnectionsonLinkedIn,youlltapintoabroadsupportnetworkforresearchingcolleges,findingjobopportunities,andmentoring.

A.LinkedInsABCRuleMakesureyoufollowTheABCsofNetworkingonLinkedIn:AlwaysBeConnecting.Connectwithpeopleyouknow(moreonthatshortly)andmostimportantly,peopleyouwanttoknow.LinkedInwantsyoutoexpandyournetwork,sothereareplentyofsimplewaystostartconnectingwiththepeoplethatcanhelpyoufindyourdreamcollege.

Tip:Onecommonmistakepeoplemakeistoconnectonlywithpeopleintheirindustry,oronlyclassmates,oronlycurrentandformercoworkers.Connectingwithavarietyofpeople,andacrossdifferentindustries,willexpandyourcareerhorizons,especiallyatthisearlystageinyourcareer.

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B.WhatConnectionsMeanandWhyTheyreImportantOnethingyouveprobablynoticedasyouvestartedtouseLinkedInisthatpeoplehavedifferentdegreesofconnection:1st,2nd,3rdandOutofNetwork.Basically,thesenumbersletsyouknowhowcloseyouaretosomeoneinyournetwork.

LinkedInusesdegreestoshowyouhowcloselyyoureconnectedtosomeonethroughdegreesofseparation

A1stdegreeconnectionmeansyouredirectlyconnectedtotheperson,whilea2nddegreeconnectionissomeonewhoisconnectedtooneofyour1stdegreeconnections.3rddegreeconnectionsareconnectedtoyour2nddegreeconnections,whileOutofNetworkincludespeopleyouhavenoconnectionto.Groupmembersareconsideredpartofyournetworkbecauseyoureinthesamegroupandsharethesameinterests.Youwantasmany1stdegreeconnectionsaspossiblebecauseitallowsyouto:

SendMessages.Youcandirectlycontactyour1stdegreeconnections.Onceyouconnectwithsomeone,youllhaveaccesstotheircontactinformation,whichtypicallyincludesanemailaddressandcellnumber.

ViewEntireProfiles.Youcanviewthecompleteprofileofa1stdegree

connection.Youllonlybeabletoseealimitedprofileof2ndand3rddegreeconnections.

SeeWhoTheirConnectionsAre.Thisisprobablythemostvaluablebenefitof

having1stdegreeconnections.Youllbeabletoseewhotheyareconnectedtoandwhoyoushareincommon.Youcanalsouseyour1stdegreeconnectionstoaskforintroductionstootherpeopleonLinkedIn.[SeemoreintheIntroductionssectionbelow.]

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GiveandReceiveEndorsements&Recommendations.Youllbeabletoaskyour1stdegreeconnectionsforendorsementsandrecommendations,whichprovidevaluetoyourprofile.

C.HowtoConnectwithPeopleonLinkedInYoullconnectwithpeopleintwoways:bysendinginvitationstoconnect,andbyreceivinginvitations.LinkedIninitiallygivesyou3,000invitationsyoucansendtopeopleyouwanttoconnectwith,andyoucanreceiveanunlimitednumberofinvitations.Ifyourunoutofyour3,000initialinvitations,youcanrequestmorefromtheContactUsform.ThesearetheeasiestwaystobuildyournetworkonLinkedIn:1.ConnectYourEmailAddressBooks

a)GiveLinkedInaccesstoyouraddressbookb)Uploada.csvfile

2.SendIndividualEmailInvites3.PeopleYouMayKnow

a)OntheLinkedInhomepageb)Underneathyourinvitationsboxc)Afteryousendaninvitation

4.AdvancedStrategies

a)Currentclassmatesandteachersb)Highschoolalumnic)Socialandprofessionalconnectionsd)Peopleyoudliketomeete)Introductionsf)Promoteonyourothersocialmediaprofilesg)UseyourpersonalizedLinkedInURLh)Groupmembers

Hereshowtousethesetechniquestoyouradvantage:

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1.ConnectYourEmailAddressBooksTheeasiestwaytobuildyourconnectionsistoimportyouremailaddressbooks.Togetstarted,youllneedtogiveLinkedInpermissiontoaccessyouraddressbook.

a)GiveLinkedInAccesstoYourAddressBookYoullhavetheoptiontodothisduringthesignupprocess.Ifyouskippeditduringsignup,youcanaccessitthreeways:i.AddContactsGlobalNavigationIntheupperrightcorner,hoveroverthe+silhouetteandscrolltothebottomofthelisttochoosetheemailserviceyoudliketoconnect.Ifyouclickthe+silhouettebutton,youcanchooseanemailproviderfromtheSeeWhoYouAlreadyKnowpage.

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Afterhoveringoverthe+silhouetteontheglobalnavigation,scrolltothebottomofthedisplaywindowtoquicklyInviteyourcontactsfromanumberofpopularemail

services

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Ifyouclickthe+silhouetteimageyoucanchoosetheemailservicefromtheSeeWhoYouAlreadyKnowonLinkedInsection

ii.ConnectionsGlobalNavigationByhoveringoverConnectionsandchoosingAddConnectionsyoullbeabletochoosewhichemailaddressbookyoudliketoaddontheSeeWhoYouAlreadyKnowsection.Fromhere,youcanchoosefromanumberofpopularemailservices.Simplytapontheprovideryoudliketochoose,enteryouremailaddress,andclickcontinue.

AddyouremailaddressbookbychoosingConnections>AddConnections.ThenchoosetheemailserviceyouwanttoconnectontheWhoYouAlreadyKnowon

LinkedInsection

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Chooseyouremailserviceprovider,thenenteryouremailaddressandchooseContinue

YoullneedtograntLinkedInpermissiontoaccessyouraddressbook

IfyouenteranemailaddressthatisnotsupportedbyLinkedIn,youllneedtouploada.csvfile.

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IfyouenteranemailaddressthatisntsupportedbyLinkedIn,youllneedtouploada

.csvfileiii.ConnectionsHomepageYoullalsohavetheoptionofsyncingyouraddressbookfromtheConnectionshomepage.YoullneedtoprovideLinkedInwithpermissiontoaccessyouraddressbook.YoucanalsoAddacontactindividually.

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WhenyouclickConnectionsfromthemainnavigationyoulllandonyourConnectionshomepage.Choosethe+silhouettesymboltoSynccontactsfromemailorAddan

individualcontact

TobuildyourLinkedInconnections,youcansyncyourcontactsfrompopularemailprovidersandcalendars.Afterenteringyouremailaddress,youllneedtogiveLinkedIn

permissiontoconnecttoyouremailaddressbook

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YoucanalsomanuallyAddanindividualContact

b)UploadYourContactsIfyoudrathernotgiveLinkedInaccesstoyouremailaddressbook,youcanuploada.csvfileunderMorewaystoconnect.SelectConnections>AddConnections>AnyEmail.

YoucanavoidgrantingLinkedInaccesstoyouremailaddressbookbyuploadinga

.csvfileofyourcontactsinstead

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2.SendIndividualEmailInvitesYoucanalsosendemailsindividually.ClickConnections>AddConnections>AnyEmailandchooseInvitebyindividualemailunderMorewaystoconnect.

Sendinvitestoindividualemails.Tosendmultipleinvites,separatetheemailaddressesbycommas

3.PeopleYouMayKnow

ThePeopleYouMayKnowfeatureisoneofthebestwaystoconnectwithpeopleonLinkedIn.Asyoustartbuildingyournetwork,LinkedInwillstartsuggestingpeopleyoumightknow.

Chancesareyoullrecognizemostofthenames(andfaces).Thisisaneffectivewaytoquicklybuildrelevantandusefulconnections.

a)ThePowerofWeakConnectionsOneofLinkedInsmostusefulfeatures,though,isthatitrecommendsconnectionsthatyoumightnotknowpersonally,butthatyourconnectionsknow.Thisisagreatwaytosee,andconnectwith,peopleyourfriendsknow.Thesearecalledweakconnectionsbecauseyoureonlymarginallyassociatedwiththem,butyoushareacommonconnection.

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LinkedInvisuallyshowsyouHowYoureConnectedtopotentialconnectionsTheLinkedInrecommendationalgorithmgetsmoreaccurateasyouaddmoreandmorecontactsanotherreasonwhybuildingalargenetworkonLinkedInisimportant.WheneveryouseePeopleYouMayKnowlisted,youcanconnectwiththembyclickingtheConnector+Connectbuttons.

Connectingiseasy...thereareplentyofplaceswhereyoucanjustclickConnect!

b)ThePeopleYouMayKnowPageThroughoutLinkedInyoullseerecommendationsforPeopleYouMayKnow.WhenyouclickonthehyperlinkorSeemore>>link,youlllandonthePeopleYouMayKnowhomepage.Fromthere,youllseerecommendationslistedinacardtypeformat.Asyouscrolldownthepage,LinkedInautomaticallyrefreshesthelistwithnewpeople.

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ThePeopleYouMayKnowpageisahubforconnectingtopeopleLinkedInthinksyou

willknow

c)WheretoFindPeopleYouMayKnowi.LinkedInHomepageYoucanconnectwithPeopleYouMayKnowintheupperrightcornerofyourLinkedInhomepage.Youcanconnectwiththreepeopleimmediately,orclickSeemore>>orthePeopleYouMayKnowheadingtitletoseeacompletelist.

YourLinkedInhomepageliststhreePeopleYouMayKnow.ClickSeemore>>forafulllist

AfteryouclickSeemore>>,peoplewillbeautomaticallyaddedtothelistasyouscrolldownthePeopleYouMayKnowpage.

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IfyouclickSeemore>>fromyourLinkedInhomepage,youllseeacompletelistofpotentialconnections.Scrollingdownthepageautomaticallyaddsmorepeopletothe

listii.AfterYouSendanInvitationLinkedInwillgiveyoualistofPeopleYouMayKnowafteryousendaninvitation.

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LinkedInwillsuggestPeopleYouMayKnowafteryousendaninvitation

D.AdvancedConnectionStrategies

1.CurrentClassmatesandTeachers

Chancesareyoualreadyconnectedwithclassmatesandteacherswhenyouuploadedyouremailaddressbook.Inaddition,LinkedInhasprobablyalreadyfoundyourclassmatesandsuggestedyouaddthemviathePeopleYouMayKnowfeature.YoucanproactivelyconnectwithyourclassmatesandteacherswhoarenotinyouremailaddressbookbysearchingforthemonLinkedIn.

ConnectwithyourclassmatesandotherpeopleyouknowthroughtheSearchboxintheglobalnavigationmenu

WhenyouchooseConnections>FindAlumni,youllseealistofcurrentstudents

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(andalumni)fromyourhighschoolthatareonLinkedIn.Ataminimumyoullwanttoconnectwiththeteachersandbusinessprofessionalsthatarewritingyourrecommendations.Thatway,youcanaddamodifiedversionoftheirwrittenrecommendationtoyourLinkedInprofile.[SeetheRecommendationssection.]

2.AlumnifromYourHighSchool

Asmentionedabove,chooseConnections>FindAlumnitoseealistofAlumnifromyourhighschool.ConnectingwithAlumnifromyourhighschoolisasimplewaytobuildoutyournetwork.Someofthemmayevenbeattendingthedreamcollege(s)youreinterestedin,sotheymightbeabletoprovideyouwithsomevaluableinsightintowhetherthecollegewouldbeagoodfitforyou.ToconnectwithAlumnifromyourhighschool,gotoConnections>FindAlumniintheglobalnavigationmenu.LinkedInwillautomaticallysearchforAlumnifromyourhighschool.

ToconnectwithstudentsandAlumniatyourhighschool,chooseConnections>FindAlumni

3.PeopleYouMeetSociallyandProfessionally

Wheneveryoumeetsomeone,whetherpersonallyorprofessionally,searchforandinvitethemtoconnectonLinkedIn.Theycouldbefriendsofyourfamily,peopleyoumeetateventsandvolunteeractivities,coworkersfromyourinternships,andsoon.

4.PeopleYoudLiketoMeetDonthesitatetoreachouttosomeoneyoudliketoconnectwith.Youllbesurprisedhowopenpeoplearetonewconnections.Ifpossible,trytoexplainwhyyoudliketoconnect,suchas:

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Dear[Mr./Ms.LastName),IminterestedinlearningmoreaboutXYZcollegeandInoticedyoureanalumnus.IdliketoaddyoutomynetworkasImresearchingthecollege,andforfuturenetworkingopportunities.Thankyouforyourconsideration,YourName

Bynowyoushouldhaveacompanyortwolistedonyourprofile,sochooseWevedonebusinesstogetherandthenselectthecompanyname.Addthereasonyoudliketoconnectorlistacommonareaofinterestyoubothshare.Forinstance,youmightsayIllbestudyingaccountingincollege,andIwouldliketoconnectwithmoreCPAs.Dontbediscouragedifsomeonedoesntacceptyourinvitation,theymightbebusyormaybetheyforgottoacceptyourrecommendation.Itsnotpersonal,justkeeptrying!

IfyoufindsomeoneyoudliketoconnectwithonLinkedIn,sendthemanInvitation.Trytoaddapersonaltouchwithsomethingyouhaveincommon,likeaninterestinthe

college,orsomethingthatshowsyouwouldmakeagoodconnection

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5.Introductions

Youcanalsoaskyour1stdegreeconnectionstointroduceyoutotheirconnections.Ifyouseesomeoneyoudliketoconnectwith,andyouseeanexistingconnectionknowsthem,askyourconnectiontomakeanIntroductionforyou.LinkedInsIntroductionsareprimarilyusedtofacilitatebusinessnetworking,butyoucanalsousethemtoconnectwithpotentialmentorsandalumniambassadorsasyoureresearchingyourdreamcollege.YourIntroductionrequestwillconsistoftwoparts:1.Askingyourcurrent1stdegreeconnectiontointroduceyou,andtellingthemwhyyoudliketobeintroduced.2.Thatsamenotewillincludeanotetoyourpotentialnewconnection,foryour1stdegreeconnectiontoforward.Asyoucansee,thatmeansyournotewillneedtododoubleduty:Youllneedtoconvinceyour1stdegreeconnectiontoforwardit,andyoullneedtoconvincethe2nddegreeconnectionthatyoureworthconnectingwith.Makesurebothoftheconnectionsfinditworththeirtimetohelpyou.HereshowyouGetintroducedonLinkedIn:Whenyouidentifya2nd(or3rd)degreeconnectionandwouldliketogetintroduced,choosethedownarrownexttoSend[connection]InMailandthenGetintroduced.

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Ifyoudliketoconnectwithsomeoneandyoushareamutualconnection,youcanasktoGetintroduced

Chooseyoursharedconnection,thenwriteabriefnoteaboutwhyyoudlikeanIntroductionyoucanusethetemplatebelow.Remember:includeyournotetothe2nddegreeconnectionsoyour1stdegreeconnectioncanforwardit!

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ChooseasharedconnectionandincludeanoteaboutwhyyoudlikeanIntroductionHereisasamplenoteyoucouldsendtoyour1stdegreeconnectionthisisasinglenotewiththetophalfaddressedtoyour1stdegreeconnection,andthebottomhalfisaddressedtothepotentialnewconnection.

Hi[ConnectionName],Iseethatyoureconnectedto[2nddegreeName].Iwouldliketoconnectwith[2nddegreeName]tolearnmoreabout[ABC].Thankyouforforwardingthebelownoteto[them].

P.S.Ifyourenotcomfortableforwardingmyrequest,Icompletelyunderstand.Thankyouforyourtime.

[YourName]

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Dear[2nddegreeName],ImastudentatXYZhighschoolandnoticedyouattended[College/University].Iminterestedinapplyingto[College/University]thisfallandwouldliketoconnectwithyousoIcanaskafewquestionsabout[College/University].

Thankyoufortakingthetimetoconsidermyrequest.

[YourName]

Youcanadaptthistemplateforanumberofsituations:dreamcollegeresearchrequests,jobsearches,internshipopportunities,andsoon.

Your1stdegreeconnectionwillreceivetheIntroductionrequestthatyouwrote.YourconnectionwillthensendthisnotetotheirconnectiontofinishtheIntroductionprocess

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6.ActivelyPromoteYourLinkedInProfileonYourOtherSocialMediaAccounts

LetyourothersocialmediaconnectionsknowaboutyourLinkedInprofile.PostittoFacebook,Twitter(often),andaddittoyourothersocialmediaprofilelinks.Dontforgettoaskpeopletoconnectwithyou!

UseyourothersocialmediaprofilestopromoteyourLinkedInprofile,suchasTwitter(top)andBehance

7.WheretoUseYourPersonalizedLinkedInURL

AddyourpersonalizedLinkedInpublicprofileURLtoyourbusinesscard,youremailsignature,onyourresume,andonyourothersocialmediaprofiles.ThismakesiteasyforpeopletofindandconnectwithyouonLinkedIn.

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8.GroupMembers

OneofthebenefitsofjoiningGroupsisthatyoucansendconnectioninvitestoyourfellowGroupmembers,regardlessofwhatdegreetheyare.Onceyouvejoinedagroup,youcanaccesstheGroupunderyourGroupshomepageatInterests>Groups.

AccessyourGroupsunderInterests>Groups

ChoosetheGroupandclickonMembers.Youllseearesultspagewithalistof250members(10perpage,25pages),startingwithyour1stdegreeconnectionsandmovingto2nddegree,3rddegreeandfinally,memberswhoareOutofyourNetwork.Ifyourelookingforaspecificperson,location,orbackground,youcanalsousekeywordstonarrowyoursearchwithinthegroup.

YoushouldconnectwithGroupmemberswheneverpossible.ClickMembersonthe

Grouphomepage

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Youcansendthefirst250(10peoplex25pages)GroupmembersanInvitationtoconnect(unlessyourealreadyconnected),orenterasearchtermifyourelookingfor

someonewithaspecificbackground

IftheGroupmemberisa2ndor3rddegreeconnection,youcansendthemadirectinvitetoConnect.WithGroupmembers,youcanskipthenormalIntroduction

processbychoosingGroupsasHowdoyouknow

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IfyoureconnectingwithaGroupmember,chooseGroupsunderHowdoyouknow[FormoreinformationonusingGroups,seeJoinGroups...andGettheMostfromThem.]

Tip:ChecktoseeifthereisaconnectionsthreadintheGroup.SometimesGroupmemberswillstartadiscussionthreadandencourageotherGroupmemberstoconnectwiththem.

9.LinkedInsTopConnected

OnethingyoushouldimmediatelydoisconnectwithsomeofLinkedInsmostconnectednetworkers.Thiswillautomaticallyputyouinthe2nddegreeorbitoflotsofconnections.Dontworryiftheydontacceptyourconnection,chancesaretheyreovertheirlimitofacceptinginvitations.However,theycanstillsendinvitations,sohopefullytheyllreturnthefavorandsendyouaninvite.Tomakeiteasy,youcanconnectwithme .

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E.HowtoUseTagstoManageYourImportantConnectionsAsyoustartconnectingwithpeopleonLinkedIn,youllneedawaytokeeptrackofthepeoplethatcanhelpyou,includingyourteachers,mentors,friends,family,andothersthatyouinvitetohelpyouchooseyourdreamcollege.YoucanuseTagstohelpyoumanagetheseconnections.Whenyouconnectwithsomeone,youcanaccesstheTagsfeatureonthatcontactsprofilepage,underneaththeRelationshiptab.

Afterconnectingwithsomeoneyouwanttostayintouchwith,addaTagundertheRelationshiptab

ClicktheTagtoseealistandchoosetheTagnameyouwanttoaddyourconnectionto.YoucanalsoAddorManageyourTagsattheendofthelist.

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AddyourconnectiontooneofyourTagcategories.Needmorecategories?AddnewtagsandManageyourTagsattheendofthelist

IfyouhaventstartedusingTagsyet,youcanalsoaddTagstoyourexistingConnections.ToaccessyourConnections,clicktheConnectionslinkintheglobalnavigationmenu.

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TheConnectionsglobalnavigationlinktakesyoutoyourConnectionshomepageYoullseealistofyourconnections,filteredbyRecentConversationandbyAllContacts.TofilterthelistbyTags,clicktheFilterbyAllContactslinkandchooseTags.

Tip:Ifyouveconnectedyouremailaddressbooks,youllseeallyouremailcontacts,too,eventhoughtheymightnotbeLinkedInconnections.

OnyourConnectionshomepage,youllseethemostrecentConnectionsyouveinteractedwith

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YoucanfilterandsearchyourConnectionsbyanumberofcategories,includingTagWhenyousearchforaschoolorspecificConnection,youllseealistofresults.YoucanquicklyaddthemtooneofyourTagsbyclickingtheTaglink.

Duringyourresearch,importantpeopleareonlyaclickaway.AddthemtospeciallistsandcategoriesusingtheTagfeature

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Whenyoufindsomeoneyoudliketostayintouchwithsomeonewhileyoureresearchingyourdreamcollege,addaresearchspecificTag,suchasaschoolname

OnceyouveaddedaTag,youllseeitlistedunderthecontactsname,title,andlocationinformation.

YoucanseeataglancewhichcategoryyouveaddedyourConnectionto

IfyouwanttocontactyourConnection,youcanquicklysendthemamessagefromtheresultslistbyhoveringoverthecontactsinformationcard.TheTagandMessagefeaturesareausefulwaytosetupinformationalinterviews[SeeHowtoSetUpInformationalInterviewsbelow]ortoperiodicallystayintouchwithyourConnection.

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TosendyourConnectionaMessageormodifytheirTag,hoverovertheinformation

cardandclickTagorMessage

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Chapter3

HowtoUseLinkedIntoFind

YourDreamCollege

AStepbyStepGuidetoResearchingCollegesandUniversities

Inthissection,youll: GetAnOverviewofLinkedInsHigherEducationPage DiscovertheBestWaystoUseDecisionBoardstoHelpYouFindandManage

YourDreamCollegeResearch UncoverHowtoGettheMostfromtheUniversityFinder,UniversityRankings,

andFieldofStudyExplorer MastertheLinkedInUniversityPage:WhatItIs,andHowtoUseIt GettheInsideScooponYourDreamCollege,NoMarketingAllowed SeeWhoYouKnowatYourDreamCollege FindOutifYourDreamCollegeIsTrulyUniqueandDiscoverIfThereAre

SimilarSchoolsThatMightBeaBetterFit

Tip:BuildOutYourNetwork.Now.Inordertofindyourdreamcollege,ithelpstohavealargenetwork.Thatnetworkgivesyouaccesstobetterresearchandadvice.Youllbeabletoviewmoreprofilesandseeexactlywhatcareerpathsalumnihavetaken,wheretheylive,andwhotheyknow.

LinkedInrecentlyintroducednewfeaturesthathelpyouresearchcolleges,explorecareers,andcollaboratewithfamily,friends,andalumnitofindyourdreamcollege.Thesefeaturesinclude:

DecisionBoardsAhubforresearching,collecting,andmanagingyourdreamcollegeresearch.

UniversityFinderTailoryourdreamcollegeresearchtoyourspecificneedsandwants.

UniversityRankingsCheckoutthetoprankedschoolsinthehottestcareer

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fields. FieldofStudyExplorerMakesureyourechoosingtherightmajorby

exploringdifferentcareerfields.Inaddition,youcanuseLinkedInto:

Explorecareerspaths(andmakesureyouvechosentherightmajor). Gethelpfulfirsthandadviceandguidancefromcurrentstudentsandalumni. Comparesimilarschools. Researchacademicprogramsandmajors.

A.TheLinkedInforHigherEducationHomepage:AnOverviewLinkedInsHigherEducationpagehascollegeandcareerplanningresourcesforProspectiveStudents(thatsyou),existingStudents(thatwillbeyou,soon),andAlumni(thatwillbeyou,eventually).YoucanaccesstheLinkedInHigherEducationpageanytimefromtheEducationglobalnavigationmenu.ClickingonEducationtakesyoutotheLinkedInHigherEducationpage.YoucanalsodirectlyaccesstheUniversityFinder,FieldofStudyExplorer,UniversityRankings,andYourDecisionBoard,onceyousetitup,fromtheEducationglobalnavigationmenu.

TheLinkedInHigherEducationtabhasanumberofdreamcollegeresearchtools,suchasUniversityRankings,UniversityFinder,aFieldofStudyExplorer,anda

DecisionBoard.Accessthemfromtheglobalnavigationmenu

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OntheLinkedInHigherEducationpageyoullfindtabsforallstagesofyoureducationalcareer,includingProspect,Student,andAlumni

OnceyoustartfollowingschoolsandaddinginformationtoyourDecisionBoard,theYoutabwillgiveyouanoverviewofyoureducationrelatedinformation:

1. Seeyourschoolsoyoucannetworkwithyourhighschoolclassmatesandalumni.

2. FieldsofStudytohelpyouchoosetherightmajor,soyoucanfindtheperfect

career.

3. CollegesYouAreFollowingsoyoucanstayuptodatewithyourpreferreddreamcolleges.

4. SimilarCollegestotheonesyouareFollowing.

5. NewsfortheCollegesYouAreFollowing.

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OnceyouprovideLinkedInwithyourexistinghighschoolandalistofyourdreamcolleges(viayourDecisionBoard),theYoutabwillshowupdatednewsand

information,FieldsofStudy,SchoolsYouAreFollowing,andSimilarSchools

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