Have You Created a LinkedIn Profile Yet?

Are you familiar with LinkedIn? According to its website, “LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 175 million members and growing rapidly. LinkedIn connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals.”

Now that sounds pretty promising for a jobseeker. In fact, even if you are not actually looking for a new job at the moment, your profile may be viewed by an HR professional looking to recruit someone with your talents. During these days of social media, it is important to take advantage of every possible opportunity to be recognized professionally. We would like to offer some suggestions for you as you develop or refine your LinkedIn profile.

Create a clear and thorough profile.
Be sure to explain in the summary statement what type of career you are looking for. Include all of the necessary information and include internships, unpaid experiences or other activities that you feel would communicate your skills and experience to a potential employer.

If you do volunteer work – include it in your profile.
Volunteer work is great career experience. It develops skills, keeps you in contact with the community and is a great demonstration of civic engagement. This is valuable to a prospective employer.

Check your profile regularly
See who has been viewing your profile – this may be a good opportunity for you to reach out to someone who may have an interest in your skills. Also, you may want to see who has endorsed you.

Request recommendations
Recommendations and endorsements are very visible on your profile and are an excellent affirmation of your skills and abilities. It is perfectly acceptable to ask a colleague or supervisor who can speak to your strengths to do so. This will also serve to keep the recommendations on your profile relevant and current.

Network, Network, and Network
Try to maintain many network connections and join relevant career and interest groups. This will serve to broaden your visibility and expose you to many more people with common career interests. 

Be interactive and involved
Once you have created your profile, try to stay active. Share suggestions or interesting articles that are relevant to your specific field. You can also use this platform to ask questions and gain important information that will be helpful to you in your career or job search. You never know who you will meet that may be able to provide a great job lead or opportunity for you.

Once again, may we wish you luck and success in your career and you job search.

For more information on using LinkedIn to seek employment, see this blog post from New Grad Life.

CUNY LEADS (City University of New York Linking Employment, Academics and Disability Services) is a program of CUNY created to provide students with disabilities the skills to make realistic academic and career choices that will result in successful careers.  CUNY LEADS will share job search insight on this blog on the 2^nd Tuesday of every month.

Have a question or comment for CUNY LEADS?  Leave a note in the comments section below. And, don’t forget to share this with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and email.

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The views, opinions, or expressions provided by CUNY LEADS do not necessarily represent the views, opinions, or expressions of the City of New York and/or the New York City Department of Small Business Services.