Online Resources

Online Resources

What is Linkedin?

Linkedin is a networking website for professionals. Its main function is to allow people to connect with others that share similar careers and interests. This website can assist you in finding job openings and connect with people within those companies. International student will find many interest groups that support degree programs and languages.

Why use Linkedin?

- Profile can be used as a resume when applying for jobs on the website

- Users can get endorsements for skills from connections made during networking

How is LinkedIn different from other sites?

LinkedIn is not the only website available as a resource for those in their job search. There are other websites such as Monster, and indeed that offer similar services. The table below shows the differences between LinkedIn and Monster, and shows why LinkedIn is a wise choice for employees.

 

 Linkedin

Cost: Free

Finding Specialty Roles: 3 Different wise packaging groups to join and find candidates

Accessibility to clients: Can check with companies to see if they are hiring. Easy contact, direct contact to Human Resources

Monster  

Cost: Free

Finding Specialty Roles: No sub-categorization of job roles

Accessibility to clients: Can Contact Human Resources, but not part of protocol. Primarily meant for applying for jobs

 

How do I use Linkedin?

1. Create a profile outlining your education and professional affiliations or clubs

2. Upload a professional photograph of yourself

3. Make your profile public so other users can see you

4. Search for connections based on your student status and your degree program

5. Get recommendations from your connections to focus specific skills

6. Search for job openings using the job search option

7. Connect with possible future employers by answering and asking online questions

Creating your LinkedIn Profile:

These pages will discuss and show what is important within a LinkedIn page. The pamphlet resembles the order you would see important topics on a individuals LinkedIn page.

A LinkedIn profile that tailors to you has several main components:

- Title: This part of your file appears directly under your name. It is one or two sentence summary of who you are or what you do. Use your key phrases here, but construct it so your title makes sense. This is essentially who you are or who you would like to be.

- Summary: your summary allows you to create a free form description of your experience, expertise and your objectives. There are two sections – Professional Experience & Goals, and Specialties. You do not need to write a novel here.

- Experience: LinkedIn allows you to create a rather lengthy online resume with your current and previous work experience listed. Be honest, but don’t be afraid to work in your key phrases in this area.

- Use your official job title

- Education: Since your LinkedIn profile is an online resume, this area is important if formal education is expected for what you do.

- Additional Information: Just as it is with a paper resume, you will want to consider adding information that can help make your profile stand out. Within your LinkedIn profile, you can add a photo of yourself, link to your Twitter account, your websites, awards and so on.

- Recommendations: Ask for recommendations from people who are familiar with your professional skills. The right recommendations can help your profile stand out and they might help you land more work.

How to Network Successfully on LinkedIn:

- Create a full profile: The more information a possible employer has, the more they have to be interested in. Don’t be shy with your achievements, employers have hundreds of candidates to choose from, find a way to make yourself stand out in a positive way.

- Manage your LinkedIn network: Add people to your LinkedIn Network, however, be careful to only add others that you trust and know well, as employers may judge you by a bad connection.

- Research employers: employers are looking for employees who are familiar with their company. Be able to communicate why you would make a great addition to their specific company.

- Create goals: What do you want to use your LinkedIn profile for? Are you trying to find a specific job? Do you want to build up a following? Organize how you contact people and present your profile with your goals in mind. The more specific you are with your goals, the easier you can share your online presence to match these goals.

- Tag connections: Whenever you make a new connection on LinkedIn, you have the opportunity to tag these connections. Tagging refers to adding a label to the connections you can sort who is who. This is a useful tool to keeping organized, and for remembering what the different connections relate to.

GVSU and LinkedIn:

Different groups and parts of Grand Valley use LinkedIn

- The university itself has a LinkedIn page

- GVSU International Students

- Grand Valley Alumni Association

- Seidman College of Business

- GVSU HTM 

- GVSY AMA

- Individual professors are likely to have their own profile

 

GVSU Advanced Search Strategies

Advanced search enables the user to search for specific companies and people that they would like to connect with. At the top of your home page is the advanced search tool bar.

(INSERT)

1. Click advanced search

a. Now that you are in advanced search you can choose whether you would like to search people or jobs. There are different key words that you can use to help refine your search to target exactly what you are looking for.

2. Using Key Words

a. There are many key words that can be sued to help narrow down your search. Using key words relevant to the job you are seeking or the person you are searching for will narrow down the search results.

3. Click the Blue Search Button

a. After you type in your key words, click the blue search button.

4. Refine Search by Using the Filter Option

a. By checking the filter boxes provided by LinkedIn your results will automatically narrow down to what you are specifically looking for.

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Using Twitter:

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a social networking site that allows you to connect to potential employers. Users “tweet” updates of 140 characters. Companies use Twitter to let their followers know of product introductions, job openings, and company information. By following a company’s account, you can stay informed of their activities.

Why use Twitter?

- Keep track of job postings

- You can tweet about your interest in companies and search potential jobs

How do I use Twitter?

1. Create an account. Your username could be your first and last names, allowing for other users to identify you as an actual person and not a group or alter ego.

2. List your skills and past work experiences in your biography. Potential future employees will be able to see this.

3. Pick a professional photo that is the same or similar to one used for LinkedIn.

4. Begin to follow companies and possible employers. You will receive their “tweets” about job openings.

5. Apply for posted job opening using the information given in those tweets. Most employers will direct you to apply on their website.

6. Use Twitter sparingly and with a purpose to establish yourself professionally. Employers want to know your interest in them, not what you had dinner.

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What is a Personal Website?

A personal website is a customized webpage to showcase your professional profile. Websites can be created using one of several free online sites. This platform will allow you to direct networking contacts directly to your portfolio and personal information. 

(Graphic: Personal Website?)

Why Use a Personal Website?

- Information posted is controlled by the website owner

- Users can highlight current and previous professional experience, projects, and interests.

What should be on a Personal Website?

- Your current resume

- A portfolio of projects or pertinent course work

- Contact information, including email address and mailing address

- Professional memberships and affiliations

- Education information, including graduation dates and degree information

- References



Page last modified July 22, 2014