“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
Hellen Keller
Connecting with people is what helps us to do so much, and LinkedIn is one resource where we can connect new and familiar faces virtually.
Whether you are a college student or a seasoned professional, LinkedIn is a social media platform for anyone who is looking to tell their “professional story”. No matter your background, major, or industry, LinkedIn can help level the playing field to help with personal branding, job seeking and making connections. It’s also the ideal place to research industries, companies, and people. With a well-crafted profile, recruiters and colleagues can easily link you for potential jobs. Connect, reach out and use Linkedin to enhance your life design journey.
To start, try enhancing your profile by:
- Adding people (friends, family, peers, staff, faculty, etc)
- Messaging people you’ve added with updates to your personal or professional journey where appropriate
- Engaging on posts through comments and/or likes
A word from your Life Design Educators:
As you continue to engage, you will increase your network by having multiple levels of connections and continuing to learn more about companies, people, and yourself. I know this to be true as I used the messaging feature to reconnect with many colleagues and peers, ultimately garnering an opportunity that changed my life trajectory! – Your Life Design Educator, Clifton E. Shambry Jr.
LinkedIn can be a valuable tool to help you market yourself and your career. Some people spend a great deal of time curating their online presence to tell their stories. Even if you do not make a conscious effort or devise a formal plan, all of what you do and say – particularly online – represents you and your “brand”. The idea of building personal branding makes some people uncomfortable. They have no idea where to begin! Remember LinkedIn is the largest social media site that caters to professionals and can be a tool in your arsenal to help maximize your online presence. You can take control of your narrative, get exposure, and cultivate your “brand”. A survey conducted by CareerBuilder’s shows that 70 percent of employers and recruiters say they check social media during the hiring process. Type your name in Google, and what do you see? Is this how you want people to see you? Your online presence matters. Now more than ever, it is your first impression! – Karen Mardock
