Think You Don’t

need LinkedIn?

Here’s Why You Do!

Kaitlin Schafer, Career

Counelor, Engineering

Career Services

LinkedIn for Students

2

What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional online network with over 450 million members.

LinkedIn connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals.

LinkedIn, unlike other social networking websites, focuses on managing and building your network of professional connections.

Creating your Personal Brand with LinkedIn

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Build Your Image!

Tell Your Story!

Why is Networking Important?

Obtain advice about your

job search

Gain employer information

Uncover job opportunities

94% of new job finders

cited networking as their

primary mode of job

searching (Wall Street Journal)

LinkedIn By the Numbers

94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to evaluate candidates

Recruiters can search LinkedIn faster with 20+ smart and simple-to-

use search filters and recommendations

Corporate talent solutions are used by 94 of the Fortune 100

companies.

How to Rock Your Profile

5 Ways to Rock Your Profile

Types of Connections

1st-degree

People you're directly connected to because you've accepted their invitation to connect, or they've accepted your invitation. You can contact them by

sending a message on LinkedIn.

2nd-degree

People who are connected to your

1st-degree connections. You can

send them an invitation by clicking Connect or contact

them through an InMail.

3rd-degree

People who are connected to your

2nd-degree connections. If their

full first and last names are displayed, you can

send them an invitation by clicking Connect. If only the

first letter of their last name is displayed,

clicking Connect isn't an option but you might be able to

contact them through an InMail.

LinkedIn Demos

Getting the most out of LinkedIn!

Headline

120 characters

Describe you

Queries are run from the

Headline

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How to Connect

How to Connect

LinkedIn provides a basic message “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn,” but it’s a good idea to customize your requests.

You’ll get a better response rate if you write a brief, personalized, polite note to each potential connection reminding them how you met (if necessary) and explaining why you’re interested in connecting – e.g., to ask for advice or to keep in touch after meeting at a conference.

Dear Mr. Doe,

It was great meeting you last week at OSU. I was grateful to have the opportunity to speak with you about XYZ Corp. and wanted to continue to express my interest in a possible internship. Thank you for your time and I look forward to meeting you again in the future.

Sincerely,

Brenda Buckeye

Request to Connect Sample

How to Connect

Request to Connect Get Introduced

How to Connect

LinkedIn also let’s you utilize your existing network when making new connections.

“Get Introduced” helps you identify contacts you have in common with a potential contact. To use this feature you will need to write a note to your contact explaining why you would like their assistance in introducing you to another LinkedIn user – e.g. to request an information interview.

Be professional and give your contact a way to say no.

Hello Liz,

I hope all is well. I’m currently interested in learning more about computer information security. I noticed that you are connected with Erwin Dreese, an employee at IT Security. If you are still in touch with Mr. Dreese, I was hoping you would introduce me so I could set-up an informational interview.

Thank you in advance,

Brenda Buckeye

Get Introduced Sample

LinkedIn Summary

Know yourself

Gather the content

You have 2,000 characters

Be concise

Ask yourself the following:

• Who do you want to reach with your summary? Who is your ideal audience?

• What do you want them to learn or do?

• How do you want them to feel?

Areas to help gather summary content

• Write a sentence for each one in terms of the value you create/created

Your most important accomplishments.

• Articulate your operating principles and the things that energize you

Your values and passions.

• Cull the things that make you YOU and help you stand out from your peers Differentiation.

• List interesting points that are quantifiable.Fact, figures and stats.

• Describe the things you do better than anyone elseYour superpowers.

• Include testimonials from others while showcasing all the awards and accolades bestowed upon you (for example, graduated Magna Cum Laude)

External validation.

Example Summaries

“Self driven and results-oriented industrial

engineering student with a successful background

in process improvement and quality control. Nine

months full-time work experience gained through

internships and co-ops at Manufacturing Inc. and #1

Systems Company. Six Sigma experience and

track record of achievements in engineering project

teams. Possess a collaborative team approach,

excel at completing projects in a timely manner, and

conscious of budget throughout projects. Skilled in

the use of MS Project, MS Excel, AutoCAD, and

SOLIDWORKS.

”

“ Engineer-in-Training, passed the NCEES

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE), February 2016

Strong academic Civil Engineering background,

with focus on Structural Engineering

Hands on experience using power tools,

conducting repairs, and performing electrical work

Strong communicator—developed skills through

previous involvement in Toastmasters International

Experienced working collaboratively in engineering

project teams with people from diverse

backgrounds to achieve common goals

”

“2018 graduating student at The Ohio State University in electrical engineering interested in the semiconductor

industry. Possess the analytical abilities and technical skills necessary for creative and innovative engineering

designs. Knowledgeable of electrical engineering theory and industry-standard circuit design.

I’m interested in learning more about internship opportunities. Feel free to contact me at

Verhoff.86s@osu.edu.

”

Crafting Your Summary

Opening paragraph / sentence:– Describe the work you do and the level you do it at

(co-op, intern, entry-level, professional, etc.) along with any special expertise (industry specialization, skills, top companies worked for, etc.). You can include years of experience.

Next paragraph / sentence:– Describe what you do currently (or what you did most

recently) and select a few impressive accomplishments to describe very briefly. You can also give a concise overview of earlier experience and be sure to include awards or honors if you have won them.

3rd paragraph / sentence:– Here’s where you describe your personal work style

and important character traits.

4th paragraph / sentence:– Summarize your education and any important work-

related qualifications.

Contact information / sentence:– Explain that you’re exploring new opportunities and

provide your phone number (if you have decided to include it).

Additional Profile Tips

Complete your profile to All-Star Strength

Claim your custom URL –http://www.linkedin.com/in/YourName

Add LinkedIn to your email signature

Keep your profile up-to-date

Represent yourself in a positive and truthful manner

Proofread your profile for spelling and grammar mistakes

Getting Involved

Join groups

Follow companies

Reach out to alumni & industry

professionals

Groups

Join the Engineering Career Services Students, Alumni, &

Employers Group

Company Profiles

LinkedIn.com/alumni

• My

Network

Find

Alumni

Informational Interview

To: Barry Alumni

From: Jane Job-Seeker

Subject: OSU Engineering Student – Seeking Career Advice

Dear Mr. Alumni:

I am a sophomore majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering at The Ohio State University. I found your name through the Engineering Career Services LinkedIn group.

I am interested in talking with you about your position as a Manager with Honda. I first developed an interest in engineering through my involvement with ECOcar on campus, and I hope to leverage my past experience and my undergraduate studies in order to attain my long-term goal of a career in the automotive industry. I would also be interested in learning about how your experience at Ohio State prepared you for your career.

Would it be possible to arrange a time to speak briefly over the phone? I would need only 15-20 minutes of your time. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Jane Job-Seeker

LinkedIn Tips from a Recruiter

Do

• Upload a photo

• Log in often

• Always check the “Who’s viewed your profile”

• When connecting with someone that you do not know (totally OK to do) – make sure to add a personal message

• Accept invitations

• Follow companies that you would like to work for

• When applying to a job on LinkedIn – try to find the recruiter or a common connection

• Be open to feedback!

• Connect with Corporate Recruiters

Don’t

• Post updates related to Politics, Religion or other social issues

• Do not endorse people that you do not know

• Do not ask for recommendations from people that you do not know (very well)

• Create a profile and then never log on again

LinkedIn Job Seeker

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Find Relevant Jobs and Internships: Student Jobs

Portalhttp://students.linkedin.com

How recruiters find people & use LinkedIn

1) Focus on Keywords (not buzzwords) & Be Consistent

-(“Design Engineer") AND (FE) AND (“Construction")

2) Tell Recruiters Who You Are

-Use your headline wisely

3) Attention Grabbing Summary

I'm a certified (insert one of your keywords here) with x years of experience in (insert one of your keywords here).

My expertise lies in (insert your keywords here) developed through (mention how you developed your expertise).

Proficient in: (list any software, especially relevant ones that you're proficient in).

4) Validate Your LinkedIn Profile – get a recommendation or two

5) Quantify your results

6) Engage with Recruiters on LinkedIn (groups, writing articles)

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What recruiters can see when you apply

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Candidate name

Headline below the name

Current employment job title(s) –title only – no employment details

Past employment job titles

Education – name of university

Recommendations (# of people who recommended you)

Number of connections

Contact information – email address and phone number

Increase your chance… Make contact with a recruiter!

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Questions?