Top Ten Reasons for LinkedIn to be Your Job Search BFF

Recently David Letterman, late night talk show host, announced he will be retiring in 2015. Although I used to be a night owl, as I’ve gotten older, I am rarely up late enough to watch the David Letterman Show, but I’ve always been a fan. I especially enjoy his Top Ten lists; to honor Dave, here is a new Top 10 to convince you to be on LinkedIn--it really should be your Job Search BFF (Best Friend Forever)!

Top Ten Reasons for LinkedIn to be Your Job Search BFF

10. Everything for your job search is all in one place. Your LinkedIn profile reads like your resume, your summary sells you like a cover letter, and your recommendations can be the same folks you share with employers in your reference list.

9. You can supply more details than those found in your resume and cover letter.  Your profile can include samples of your work and you can connect to members of a project team as you describe your handiwork.

8. You can access job listings especially targeting students for both internships and entry level positions through the LinkedIn StudentJobs Portal.

7. Want to work for Google? You can look for alumni who work for an employer you want to work for. Hokies love helping Hokies. If you find an alum working for your employer of choice you can reach out to the alum for assistance. To find alumni, click on NETWORK on the tool bar, and then "Find Alumni."

6. Are you planning to move to FL after you graduate? You can search for Hokies in LinkedIn by location. If you are a history major seeking to work in a museum and you find an engineering major working for Disney in FL, you could still touch base with the alum to seek if she/he has contacts in FL who would hire you. To find alumni, click on NETWORK on the tool bar, and then "Find Alumni."

5. Are you wondering what directions you might go as you start your job search? You can search alumni in LinkedIn by major. If you find someone in a position that is attractive to you, contact the alum to discover the path that got her/him to that position. To find alumni, click on NETWORK on the tool bar, and then "Find Alumni."

4. You can start a discussion about your job search in LinkedIn groups of which you are a member. Here's an example: “I am an econ major seeking an entry level business position in the Richmond area after I graduate this summer. If you know of any openings, please let me know.” You can also view job listings that may only be visible to your LinkedIn group.

3. The many research capabilities of LinkedIn. If you are interested in particular companies, you can follow them in LinkedIn, so you can keep up with news from that organization. Prior to an interview, you can also research the employer using LinkedIn. To get the inside scoop, you could see if any alumni work for the employer whom you could contact prior to your interview. To find alumni, click on NETWORK on the tool bar, and then "Find Alumni."

2. Your online presence will be professional. Have you ever googled yourself? An employer is going to do this before you are hired, and maybe even before your first interview. LinkedIn helps ensure that your online presence is positive.

And, the Number ONE reason LinkedIn should be your BFF as you look for a job:

Makes it SO easy to NETWORK, the top method job seekers use to get hired.

So, what are you waiting for? Create your profile in LinkedIn TODAY! Here are some tips to help you get started, and Career Services can help. Stop by for Walk-In Advising where we can critique your LinkedIn profile M-F, 12 – 3pm, or make an appointment with a Career Advisor by calling 540-231-6241. 

Never watched David Letterman? Here is a clip of one of his Top 10 Lists relating to the TV show, How I Met Your Mother, as the last episode recently aired. Thanks for the laughs, Dave! And to close off this post, here is a quote from Letterman:

"If you didn't believe it before - and it's easy to understand how you might have been skeptical on this point - if you didn't believe it before, you can absolutely believe it now: New York City is the greatest city in the world." - David Letterman, during his monologue on his first show back after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001.