As a combination of a resume and Facebook, this social network is a way for prospective employees and employers to connect online
By Rachelle Leduc Staff Writer leduc13@up.edu
Want to be in the in-crowd? Get a Facebook. Want to be up-to-date on news and current events? Get a Twitter. Want to know to be crafty? Get a Pinterest. Want to land a job? Get a LinkedIn.
While spending hours on the computer searching for job openings and sending out tons of resumes and job applications can be appealing, finding multiple job opportunities in one spot could be a lot easier.
LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site that does just that. Like Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn allows you to follow or 'connect' with people and share articles, YouTube videos, or 'what's on your mind'.
"LinkedIn is a tool that will allow you to network with people," UP alum Thomas Le Ngo said. "It makes things a little more organized."
LinkedIn allows you to connect with friends and family you know and the professional contact they may have. Through the use of LinkedIn, you are also able to connect with people you may never otherwise have the chance to meet or ask for advice.
Senior Jonathan Parsons joined LinkedIn his freshman year after being encouraged by his parents and UP's business department.
"At first it was difficult because I had no one to connect with," Parsons said. "But it offers a lot of good networking possibilities."
Whether you are a student in the Business School or College of Arts and Sciences, all students are encouraged to join LinkedIn and take advantage of all that it has to offer.
"The reason is a) it's a good source to look for jobs, b) puts a professional face and c) I can keep track of them when they graduate," professor Elayne Shapiro said. "Professionally, they need to know about LinkedIn whether they choose to be on it or not."
Le Ngo affirms that LinkedIn is a valuable source of job opportunities, especially as the job market becomes more about who you know. Not only does LinkedIn connect you with professionals in the field, but it allows you to join 'groups' interested in the same business as yourself and seek advice or a possible interview.
"It's helpful to see who's connected to who; Portland can be a small town sometimes, so it's cool to see... you're only separated by one or two degrees of separation," Le Ngo said.
While creating a LinkedIn account is a very important step, it is just as important to maintain your profile and put your best self forward. It is essential to remember that what you post online is how future employers will perceive you.
"It's almost like an online resume," Parsons said. "It's a way to show your accomplishments."
Certain things to remember when creating your profile are to use keywords, choose a clear, professional headshot, be detail-oriented and making sure your contact information is clearly displayed.
"You definitely have to have LinkedIn. When someone searches you, you want to be one of the top results," Le Ngo said. "It's important to keep your eye out on your title and summary, it's really the first thing people see."
While LinkedIn shares similarities with Facebook, it tends to provide a stronger jump-off point for job searching and advice-seeking, providing the user with a larger number of capabilities to do so.
