for beginners
Cara Valentine Graduate Employer Relations Assistant
Career Development CenterCLEV 306
Getting to know you…
Year? Alum?
What are you studying?
What do you hope to learn today?
Importance of networking in your job search…
• What is networking?o Definition: to develop relationships with people who can
be helpful to one professionally, especially in finding employment or moving toward a higher position
• Why is networking important?o Hiring Processo Endorsement for job application
“The work you do and the relationships you build stay with you forever!”
1. Advertised openings (~10% of all jobs) 2. Company outreach- inquiry3. Job Fairs or other career events4. Professional Networking
What is LinkedIn? • Social media website used specifically for professional
networking• 200 million+ members (U.S. & Internationally)• WHY?
o Manage and market your professional identity-electronic copy resume
o Build and engage with professionals in your network.o Access knowledge, insights and opportunities (job, articles,
volunteer, etc)o RESEARCH: Graduate School, Law School, Companies, Other
professionals, Hiring Managers, etc.
FREE APP ON YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET
LinkedIn 2012 StatsRecruiters sourcing for candidates
Job Seekers
LinkedIn 93% 38%
Facebook 66% 52%
Twitter 54% 34%
Connections• LinkedIn: connections not “friends” • 1st, 2nd and 3rd Connections• Why?
o Helps you create your niche or area of interest (ie Law, Education, Fashion, Sales, etc)
o Job, Internship, Volunteer leadso Build a relationship & help people network- “I scratch your back you scratch
mine”• My Rule of thumb: Do not connect with anyone who will not benefit from
knowing you or someone in your network• Understand that different people have different practices/rules for connecting!
(Check out to their profile to see!)
LinkedIn Profile• Let’s take a look at what LinkedIn has to offer!!
Groups• Why?
o Connect with like-minded professionals related to your industry o Join discussions by sharing insights, posting articles or asking a questiono Find people to connect with also in groupo Job, Internship and Volunteer leads
• Join groups that are part of your “niche”• Alumni Relations is a great tool for networking
o Buffalo State Career Development Centero Buffalo State Alumni
Job Search• Why?
o Search for jobs and internships posted on LinkedIn
o A lot of recruiters/ hiring managers are now ONLY advertising their job openings on LinkedIn
o You can save job openings in different industries (up to 10 searches) emailed to you daily, weekly or monthly.
o Student Jobs feature: www.linkedin.com/studentjobs
Follow Companies• Why?
o Industry insighto Find new professionals to connect witho Track changes and developmento Job or Internship advertisementso Generate job leads (expansions, promotions, job changes, etc)
New Feature: Alumni Tool