21st Century Networking Technique that Works

 I began using LinkedIn over fourteen years ago. With continual use I have expanded my networking base to include nearly 800 connections. I would encourage any job seeker (or anyone wishing to gain a connection or professional networking information) to join and use the site regularly.

Not only does LinkedIn offer a fine job search tool, it also allows users to search company contact profiles, professional organizations, and related professional topics of interest. You won't find a picture of someone's new pet. But in this case, that's a good thing!

My profile serves as an instant online resume and professional presence. It provides as little, or as much, personal information as I wish to divulge, such as an additional email.

It is easy to research company personnel. Believe me, it is much easier to phone Under Armour and ask for a recruiter by name than have to ask a receptionist to connect you with someone in HR. Consider creating a profile and requesting connections. Add your LinkedIn link to your resume too.

I recently attended a conference of area college career services departments. Several college career courses require their students to create a LinkedIn profile for class credit. But, keep in mind that it is within the student's right to request an alternate source of class credit if the student does not wish to create an online presence. I tend to think that almost every student has some form of online presence but this was a robust discussion.

Do you agree that it is within a student's right to forgo a LinkedIn profile for class credit? 

LinkedIn is a social media platform for professionals and job seekers. It's focus differs from Facebook because it relates to professional topics, not personal ones. Please view my link below and, by all means, connect with me, if you like!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-redlich-51139112/