Getting ‘Linked In’ ICPA
- 1. Getting ‘LinkedIn®’ Online NetworkingWorkshop ICPA
- 2. About LinkedIn® “The world’slargest professional network, helping people find and share opportunities every day” • Launched in 2003 – professional social media • Members from over 200 countries – LinkedIn® is currently available in 9 languages • Executives from every Fortune 500 company – More than 2 million companies have profiles • Over 1 million groups • Network of over 135 million professionals • 77% of LinkedIn® users are age 25 or older • Two new members join every second and ½ are from outside of the United States
- 3. Why Should YouJoin LinkedIn®? • Managing your career is just one reason • According to a recent Performics study, nearly 60% of people say LinkedIn® is most important social network • Establish yourself as an authoritative resource • Allow people to find you when they search the Internet • Give yourself more control over what others see • Reconnect with your address book even as people change jobs, etc. • Be a part of nearly 2 billion people searches
- 4. Your Profile • LinkedIn®profiles are often one of the first results in a Google search • Allows you to maintain a separate „work life‟ & „personal life‟ and control your online identity • 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 (& update it!)
- 5. Your Profile • Includevolunteer and other activities too • Keep your profile current! • Obtain recommendations (1/position held) – And give recommendations when requested • Claim your LinkedIn® url – add a „public profile‟
- 7. Your Profile • Includevolunteer and other activities too • Keep your profile current! • Obtain recommendations (1/position held) – And give recommendations when requested • Claim your LinkedIn® url – add a „public profile‟ • Create your profile in additional languages if applicable • Include website links to research or professional blogs • Optimize your profile by including Skills, Volunteer Experience & Causes, etc. • Update your „Opportunity Preferences‟
- 8. Your Summary* • Summariesare like „bait‟… • Think of this like your „elevator pitch‟ – Three highlights – Memorable, catchy, descriptive – Make the reader want more • Translate your accomplishments into personal results…what does this mean to your reader? • Write in 1st person or 1st person implied • Focus on keywords and keep it brief • Remember your profile is always evolving * Thanks to Matt Sherer of Sherer Communications
- 9. Groups • Groups havesections for Discussions, Job Postings, Event Announcements, News, etc.
- 12. Groups • Groups havesections for Discussions, Job Postings, Event Announcements, News, etc. • Allows you to connect with others who have related interests, to solve problems, and to share information (look to future not just the past) – Join the ICPA group – Over 1700 groups on keyword search „Higher Education‟ • Anyone can join groups…even better to create a group and post events, facilitate discussions, etc. – The more active you are, the more you‟ll get from it • Update settings to receive digests, etc.
- 13. Applications, Blogs, Articles… •Applications allow you to post blog posts you‟ve written to your page and connect with Twitter
- 15. Applications, Blogs, Articles… •Applications allow you to post blog posts you‟ve written to your page and connect with Twitter • Amazon reading lists allow visitors to review your current interests • Create Polls to collect data from your connections • My Travel and Events help you stay in touch with connections • Add presentations via SlideShare or Google Presentation
- 16. Making Connections • Joingroups related to your field, involvements, etc. • Connect with people you already know • Watch the connections your links make…chances are, you know them as well (but don‟t spam!!)
- 18. Making Connections • Joingroups related to your field, involvements, 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 – The more you give, the more you receive! • Do be careful about whom you add as connections – Introductions can be difficult if you don‟t know person – “I Don‟t Know” button – LIONs (LinkedIn® Open Networkers)
- 19. Creating Connections • Determinewhat information you are seeking • Prepare a strong introductory email – Brief introduction (incl. connection) and why you‟re writing – Elevator pitch/summary • Find out more about your potential connection and review his/her profile • Don‟t be shy, but don‟t be needy, either • Ask questions once connected with someone, just as at any networking event • If someone „introduces‟ you, copy them on emails • Request advice/guidance…NOT jobs or other help on initial connection
- 20. Maintaining Connections • Request(& give) recommendations – Illustrate achievements – Project credibility
- 22. 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 if you‟re seeking more than general advice • Always follow-up with thank you emails/notes! • Keep your contacts/connections informed
- 23. Job Search Feature •Over 70% of employers have rejected a candidate because of information found online • Utilize the „Find a Job‟ feature to search for actual positions
- 25. Job Search Feature •Over 70% of employers have rejected a candidate because of information found online • Utilize the „Find a Job‟ feature to search for actual positions • Join groups and check out their „Jobs‟ tabs
- 27. Job Search Feature •Over 70% of employers have rejected a candidate because of information found online • 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‟ • Great resource for students (or other job seekers!) new to the system: http://grads.linkedin.com/
- 28. Researching „Companies‟ • Oneof the best but most under-utilized features • Nearly 11,700 results in higher education industry
- 31. Researching „Companies‟ • Oneof the best but most under-utilized features • Nearly 2,500 results with „school‟ in their names in Primary/Secondary industry • 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‟
- 34. Finding/Giving „Answers‟ • Locateand interact with experts • „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®
- 35. LinkedIn® „Truths‟ • Willnot get someone a job or replace recruiters • LinkedIn® Today articles can be a great source of information…or a great time consumer! • It is important to fully develop your profile • Quality connections and updates are more important than quantity – Just because someone accepts a contact doesn‟t mean they want to work with you/connect more deeply – Connections don‟t always equate to credibility/success • Not the best networking tool for all audiences
- 36. LinkedIn® Etiquette • Saythank you early & often • Customize every connection request you send • Don‟t pester • Know that it is okay to turn down or ignore a connection request • Don‟t over-promote yourself or your business
- 37. Fun LinkedIn® Resources BusinessInsider: INFOGRAPHIC: Here‟s How to REALLY Use LinkedIn® (boot camp version) http://alturl.com/ufsxu LinkedIn® for Dummies: http://alturl.com/drjq9 How to Change the World…10 Ways to Use LinkedIn® : http://alturl.com/ktkyi LinkedIn® Learning Center: http://learn.linkedin.com
- 38. Career Counseling &Placement Services School of Chemical Sciences 105 Noyes Lab 217-333-1050 Patricia Simpson http://www.linkedin.com/in/plbsimpson http://careers.scs.illinois.edu/ plblum@illinois.edu