go to LinkedIn
LinkedIn is one of the most effective tools you can use in your career exploration and job search process. Unlike Facebook, which is primarily a “social media” site, LinkedIn is an exponentially growing network of people who are actively interested in making contacts to find a job, build a professional network, or simply advance their careers by gaining knowledge related to their work or industry interests.
Why do you need to get connected? Because that’s where you’ll most likely find the job you’re seeking or the information necessary to successfully pursue opportunities of interest to you. Think of it this way: you use connections every day to find information about what courses to choose, the best movie or restaurant, or simply to get advice. If you’ve ever been in charge of a group, you seek the opinions of people you trust about who to choose for your team. In much the same way, employers use their network to find good candidates. Working professionals use their contacts to learn about the latest trends in their industry and where there are opportunities to advance their organization or career.
LINKEDIN TIPS:
- Visit the LinkedIn tutorial prepared especially for college students.
Also see these LinkedIn pdfs:
- Make Connections. Upload your contacts to LinkedIn. Good choices are fellow students, former co-workers and supervisors, family friends, or basically anyone you know who works. You never know who that person knows!
- Join Relevant Groups. Search for and join any Harvard or Ivy League affiliated group where you may want to find contacts. Some suggested groups include Harvard College, Harvard College Alumni, Harvard University Alumni, or Ivy League Alumni. There are also referral groups such as the Ivy Referral Network or industry/profession groups. Once you’ve joined a group, these members also become part of your network and you can view or participate in discussions with industry professionals, find out about industry trends, or learn about hot companies or jobs.
- Other ways to increase your network. Use the Answers tool to gain exposure to potential recruiters and mentors from your field. Ask questions within your area of interest -- "What skill(s) should I focus on developing to be a competitive candidate for your ____________ [industry] [profession]?" and "What trends should I be aware of in your ____________ field?" Additionally, recruiters ask questions in the Career and Education section and watch for responses from actively looking job candidates. This gives you the opportunity to “show what you know,” which may spark interest in you because of how you answer, which also happens to appear on your profile for potential recruiters to see!
go to LinkedIn
