LinkedIn is commonly known as the premier social networking site for professionals. As a current student, I have never considered creating a profile due to my lack of experience. I have always thought of LinkedIn as being more of a business and employment-oriented social networking site and not a site that would be beneficial for students like myself. After reading several articles on LinkedIn, I have found that the social networking site is indeed beneficial for students and its reputation suggests that it is known for connecting industry professionals with current students and recent graduates.
LinkedIn creates opportunities for current students and recent college graduates looking for either a summer internship or entry-level employment. LinkedIn allows for users to research any company regardless of the size. It also suggests other companies that are in similar industries for comparison. It shows users the total number of applicants who applied for a position and compares the user’s skills to those applicants. It also shows how many current employees of that company that graduated from the user’s university. This is great for building rapport amongst peers. LinkedIn also keeps users updated on industry trends. It provides users with the ability to connect with industry professionals and the ability to ask professionals for advice, which I feel is another great tool.
LinkedIn, like WordPress, is incredibly convenient. It gives the user the flexibility to modify their portfolio and resume. It suggests that always having a URL keeps the users profile and resume accessible, making it easy to update. Screening applicants with LinkedIn makes the hiring process much easier; so more recruiters are using LinkedIn to recruit better talent. The articles suggest that a completed profile creates more traffic, much like an SEO. The articles also suggested that it is important to choose the right photo. By choosing the right photo, it creates a better overall first impression of the user. Suggestions for what is considered an acceptable photograph included a photo where the user has good eye contact with the camera, is smiling, and is wearing appropriate clothing. Another suggestion was to use the job description and or the company’s mission statement to tailor the profile and resume. The use of numbers in a resume was recommended to prove to potential employers that the user has legitimate accomplishments in their work history. Showing one’s achievements can and will dramatically increase a user’s chances at landing an interview. Also, the articles suggest that the user should write in the first person on their profile. The articles suggest that this creates a connection between the user and the potential employer. The last, and probably most important suggestion is to post articles related to the user’s industry on the feed. This shows the user’s level of interest, passion, and commitment to continuing education in their field.
LinkedIn as said before allows the companies to find the user for job recruitment. This is known as passive recruiting. A human resource manager does passive recruiting. It offers them the ability to search for the perfect candidate for a particular position. The job seeker utilizes an active job search. Like many other job search engines, LinkedIn also provides the ability to find and apply for international jobs. When job seekers are searching for a job, users will find that the LinkedIn site is really user-friendly. It also provides a great platform for users to display his or her personality. This paints a better picture of the user to employers, which will improve their chances of being recruited.
In conclusion, I have come to understand that LinkedIn would be a good tool to utilize throughout my college career and it is beneficial to sustain a LinkedIn profile and build that profile as I advance throughout my professional career. As I become more familiar with the site, it would be beneficial to begin asking questions on LinkedIn group’s and to create and build friendships. This will help create and build my network prior to graduation. One recommendation is to link my Facebook and Lynda .com accounts to LinkedIn. Linking those accounts will help me build rapport with other users. It will also automatically update my skills as I progress through Lynda.com. The benefits with LinkedIn are endless.
My Story On The Web - Ramsey G. 