Follow this PowerPoint presentation to guide you through the basics of LinkedIn

1. USING social networking IN your job search Presented by Anthony Furino

2. LinkedIn What is Linked In? Online networking site that allows you connect to other professionals, search for jobs, and perform company research. Why use LinkedIn? LinkedIn is not only being used by those that are out of work but also those who are currently employed, so build your network now to make securing a job later easier

3. LinkedIn Create a profile Build your network Get recommended Search for jobs Expand your network

4. Creating Your Profile Your profile acts as an enhanced resume to recruiters, employers and other users Start with your name Only give first and last names Include certifications if appropriate

5. Creating Your Profile Professional Headline Think of this as a quick pitch to a prospective employer Include job titles, top skills, keywords Be clear and to the point

6. Creating Your Profile Status Let your network know what you are up to Looking for a job? Let all your connections know by clicking Update New accomplishments/activities/involvements? Try to update once a week

7. Creating Your Profile Profile URL Change your personal LinkedIn web address to something more personalized and less complex Can be used in your e-mail signature so that you can give an easy link to your profile to anyone you are communicating with online

8. Creating Your Profile Profile Picture Makes you look more personable and approachable Smiling is good! Shows confidence regardless of your age BAD GOOD

9. Creating Your Profile Summary Your chance to tell stories of your achievements throughout your career, highlighting skills as you tell them Showcase your skills by writing about what you do for a living Use keywords Don’t use keywords just because. Your summary should be well written not a laundry list of job duties If you are unsure of keywords to use browse other people’s profiles in the same job or industry. Use white space and write in short paragraphs to make it easier to read online

10. Creating Your Profile Experience Don’t simply list your job duties Elaborate on them by describing how you use your skills to perform certain job tasks If you want bullet points in this section you will need to copy and paste from a word processing program Education Along with the school name, dates attended, and area of study, include a list of activities, groups and associations you were involved with

11. Creating Your Profile Websites Use for web sites you maintain or have been featured on showing off your skills Be sure to either put the name of the web site (if the site’s subject matter is obvious) or give a short description so it entices the viewer to click on Interests Career interests and aspirations

12. Creating Your Profile Groups Join groups that you plan on staying involved with May represent your career interests Specific Geographic Location May choose not to display group affiliation on your profile

13. Creating Your Profile Contact Settings May choose to display your phone number(s), email address, etc. Specify whether or not you will accept requests from people you do not know and what the best method of reaching you is Applications These can showcase your expertise through blogs (Bloglines) or slideshow presentations (Google Presentations or Slide Share) Anytime you edit your blog or slideshow it will be updated on your LinkedIn profile

14. Build Your Network Your network is comprised of everyone you are directly connected to along with those people’s connections to the 3rd degree

15. Build Your Network Add Connections (button located on left sidebar above your name) Start with who you know With LinkedIn you can search for contacts in your email address books to see if any them are members Connect with co-workers from current or previous jobs. Connect with college classmates

16. Build Your Network You can only connect with direct connections (1st degree) If you would like to connect with others you must be introduced through one of your 1st degree connections Advanced Search Search for people with like career interests You can search by job title, keyword, location…

17. Get Recommended What is a recommendation? Professional endorsements and testimonials Who Should I Ask For Recommendations? Ask your current or previous coworkers These people need to know your skills, accomplishments and abilities Get at least one recommendation from each of your previous jobs listed under Experience section Recommendations from managers and supervisors are preferred but those from coworkers at the same level are also beneficial

18. Get Recommended Quality over Quantity All recommendations will be displayed on your profile so it is best not to have a lot of these clogging up your page, which may discourage people from reading on. Rejecting Recommendations If you receive one that does not fit your current job skills or highlight your job goals, feel free to reject and request a replacement that represents you fittingly

19. Get Recommended Return the Favor Make sure that you include your relationship to that person Recommendations that you write for others reveal your character and are another way for you to look good to LinkedIn “recruiters” –usually hiring managers, HR workers, etc.

20. Search For Jobs Search for professional and executive-level jobs listed on LinkedIn or perform a search powered by Simply Hired from within LinkedIn Basic Search Search by keyword/job title Advanced Search Search by location, company, industry… Company Connections Within the search results it tells you who the job was posted by – look for people that are in your network that you can connect with or get introduced to 1st and 2nd degree connections are preferred

21. Search For Jobs Company Research Don’t know what companies will hire someone in your career field? – Do a people search but don’t use names use career fields or job titles and look and see where people are working with titles/interests similar to your own Perform a company search to get information about them (company description, new hires, recent promotions, past employees, job openings, news, etc.) Current employees will tell you if any of them are in your network or one of your connections Job Search or Networking? Ideally LinkedIn is used for networking with people in these companies with job openings, but there are application links now (Apply Now)

22. Expand Your Network Once you’ve completed your profile and added some primary connections it’s time to network even further Groups Can join up to 50 groups Find a group in the Groups Directory Why join a group? Get involved in discussions with other members for a chance to expand your network and make new connections Browsing Connections Look at others’ professional headlines to see if they may be someone who shares career interests Get introduced by your connections

23. Expand Your Network Questions & Answers On LinkedIn you can ask other members questions Great way to network with people with similar interests Answer other members’ questions by browsing categories – make sure you are qualified to answer Leave your name and e-mail address at the end of your answer so other users can contact you outside of LinkedIn