Geetanjali Group of Colleges,Rajkot
NETWORKING &
DEVELOPING YOUR
LinkedIn PROFILE
Prof. Shreya B. Doshi
M.E. Computer Engineer,
Department of Computer Science,
Geetanjali College,Rajkot
Overview
Networking
LinkedIn
Features and Benefits of LinkedIn
Steps in Profile Development
Tips
LinkedIn Usage
What is Networking?
• Talking with people who will learn about you and your interests, and
then help you gain insight into your career options and goals
• It is a two-way process that involves developing and maintaining
connections with individuals, and mutually benefitting from the
relationship
• Is an ongoing process that takes time and attention; it is not something
you do only when you are looking for a job
What is Networking?
• Successful networking requires preparation and practice
• Networking can be done in-person and online. A valuable tool for online
networking is LinkedIn
• Remember, when you network, you are asking for information and
advice—not a job. It’s not just what you know; it’s also whom you
know… or can connect to
Why is Networking important?
• Will be the single most effective method of advancing your career
• While networking may not “get you a job,” it does play a role in the majority of
hiring decisions
• Many job vacancies are never advertised, but instead filled through some form of
personal or professional referrals
• Employers prefer to hire candidates they have met, or those referred by a trusted
source
Build Your Network
• Networking opportunities occur on a daily basis and can include a brief conversation
with someone on an elevator to an arranged meeting with a professional
• Identify all the people whom you come in contact with through your activities. These
can include:
• Your friends, classmates, their parents and family members, neighbors.
• Your relatives and extended family.
• Former and current employers and co-workers.
• Members and alumni of professional associations, clubs, and organizations.
• Coaches, staff, faculty, or academic advisors.
• Alumni of any schools you’ve attended.
Expand Your Network
• Attend campus career events and fairs, alumni presentations, and workshops
• Introduce yourself to any guest speakers you encounter on campus
• Obtain an internship and maintain contact with colleagues and supervisors
• Take advantage of job-shadowing programs
• Identify contacts by researching LexisNexis, industry/trade publications, employer
websites, alumni magazines, and library resources
• Create a LinkedIn profile; connect to your contacts and join groups as appropriate
What is LinkedIn?
• The world’s largest online professional networking platform
• Hosts the profiles of more than 500 million people in over 200 countries
• Serves as a recruiting tool for employers
• Serves as a job search tool for users
Features and Benefits of LinkedIn
• Establish your professional profile and control one of the top search results for
your name.
• Build and maintain your professional network.
• Find and reconnect with colleagues and classmates.
• Learn about other companies, and gain industry insights.
• Find other professionals in the same industry using groups.
• Share your thoughts and insights through LinkedIn's long-form publishing
platform.
• Tap into the knowledge of your network.
• Discover new career opportunities by searching for jobs.
Steps in Profile Development
• Sign-up: Name, email address, password
• Add location information
• Add profile photo (background image optional)
• Create a headline
• Write a summary statement
• Other key sections to complete: Showcase your unique
professional story through your experience, skills, and education
LinkedIn tips for students: https://students.linkedin.com/
Getting Started
Go to the sign-up page at
https://www.linkedin.com/start/join
You can sign-up via your Facebook
or Email account
Location Information
Recruiters look for job
seekers by location
Adding your location
makes you 23 times more
likely to be found in
LinkedIn searches
Use a zip code that is
close to the area where
you want to work
Profile Photo
Having no LinkedIn profile
photo means your profile
is not 100% complete
According to LinkedIn,
profiles with photos
receive 21 times more
views and 9x more
connection requests
LinkedIn Profile Photo Help:
https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/topics/6042/6059
Profile Photo Samples
& Tips
Professional head shot (is
recommended)
Plain background
No distractions in view
If taken outside, natural
light works well
Make sure you portray
yourself as you want to be
seen by your intended
audience
Background Image
LinkedIn has a standard
option available to use or as a
premium user you have
access to LinkedIn stock
images
Another option is to create a
custom background image
using one of the following
online tools:
www.canva.com
www.fotor.com
www.picmonkey.com
Background Image Help: https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/49960?query=background%20image
Ideas For Background
Images
1. LinkedIn stock image
2. Your product or service in the
making
3. Your product or service in
action
4. The skyline of your current
city
5. Design your own
6. A personal image
Article: Seven ideas for an effective LinkedIn background image:
https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/49960?query=background%20image
Profile Content Tips
• “The first hurdle is to get found (to make sure you come up in the right kind of
searches by recruiters).”
-Catherine Byers Breet, Longtime recruiter and adopter of LinkedIn (member since 2005)
• Use industry-relevant job titles and keywords
• Once you identify your top keywords, add as many of them to the following
sections: Headline (most important), Current Job Title, Summary, Interests
• The LinkedIn search tool searches entire profiles, so insert your keywords
throughout!
Examples
Headline
Depends on your LinkedIn
profile goals
Can be general and
straightforward
Can also tell viewers what
makes you unique and
includes as many keywords
as possible
Headline Help: https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/topics/6042/6043/2901
Summary Statement
• Main place for you to stand out; adds a ‘story’ element to your experience
and your aspirations
• Be concise about your experience, qualifications, and goals – with a
compelling narrative weaved throughout (if possible)
• Describes what motivates you, what you’ve done and are skilled at
• Use keywords and phrases that recruiters might search for (i.e. product
management, graphic design, data analysis)
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-tips-students-new-grads-linkedin-omar-garriott
Summary Statement
How to write a stellar summary:
Set the scene:
What is your ideal audience? What do you want them to know, learn, or do?
How do you want to make them feel?
Collect content
What you do, accomplishments, values and passions, your “superpowers”, interesting
stats, differentiation, validation (back up what you’re saying)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamarruda/2017/07/09/how-to-write-a-stellar-linkedin-summary/2/#271686b3067a
Summary Statement
https://www.linkedin.com/in/studentsample
Education
Education is the foundation!
Members who list a school get 10x more views on average
Add your school, major, and degree name
Include clubs you lead and honors you have earned
Education
Experience
When listing your experience:
Avoid listing only duties and responsibilities
Use action words and accomplishments
Examples:
Analyzed materials….
Conducted individual….
List projects, organizations, classes, etc.
Similar to resume
Most related at the top
41% of hiring managers consider volunteer experience equally as valuable as paid work
experience
Experience
Skills
List tangible skills that you are comfortable using in the workplace
Skills can be acquired on the job or in school
Speak Mandarin?
Know JAVA programming?
17% more profiles views with 5+ skills listed
Tips to get you started
Complete your profile
Claim your unique URL
Participate in groups
Connect with people you know:
Friends, family, classmates, mentors, teachers, and
professors
Use the alumni tool
Actively update your profile
Participate in Groups
LinkedIn Groups are hubs on LinkedIn which provide a “place for
professionals in the same industry or with similar interests to share
content, find answers, post and view jobs, make business contacts,
and establish themselves as industry experts.”
“Being an active participant in a group can help you network with
other professionals in your field, especially those outside your
immediate circle…”
https://blog.hootsuite.com/linkedin-groups/
Final Words...use LinkedIn to:
Browse job descriptions
Set up job alerts
Follow
Companies
Influencers
Industries---trends and news
Additional Resources
Student Job Seekers: Tips to Building the Perfect LinkedIn Profile
https://blog.linkedin.com/2016/11/14/student-job-seekers-tips-to-building-the-perfect-linkedin-
profile
LinkedIn Etiquette: 20 Do’s & Don’t’s
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140417174121-34888774-linkedin-etiquette-guide-20-do-s-
don-ts/
