LinkedIn Q & A

LinkedIn remains the number one professional social networking site with over 347 million members and 4 million company pages. Each semester, we present a webinar on the topic of LinkedIn. The latest webinar was titled, “Making the Most of Your LinkedIn Profile” and we shared strategies on how to strengthen your online presence, maximize your networking efforts, and get the most out of your profile. Participants ranged from those who did not have a LinkedIn profile to seasoned LinkedIn users.

We would like to share our responses to questions that were submitted from our last webinar:

Q: How do you present your experience on LinkedIn if you held positions that are in completely different fields? I have held a smorgasbord of jobs and want to present a solid professional brand for employers of interest.

A: Keywords are very important! Focus on highlighting transferable skills that relate to the type of positions you are interested in pursuing. Help the reader see that you have the skill sets necessary to succeed in your target role by illustrating the parallels between your past experiences and what you hope to do next. Avoid listing unrelated “job duties” and focus on showcasing transferable skill sets and accomplishments.

Q: In addition to joining a LinkedIn group in your target field or industry, how else can you establish a footprint for a company of interest?  How best can you get your profile in front of them?

A: Joining groups consistent with your professional field(s) of interest is a great first step, as many professionals in the target industry will also be in the group. However, you can’t stop there. You must be active in groups. If you can add value to the discussion board within a group, be sure to participate in the dialogue. By answering questions, sharing useful articles or upcoming events, or beginning engaging discussion threads, etc., you will begin to establish a reputation as an expert/competent in your field. This activity will draw more traffic to your profile. In addition to groups, you could also simply research recruiters for your company of interest on LinkedIn. When you locate them, send a quick LinkedIn message or connection request. Be sure to personalize the invite with who you are, how you found them, and why you are contacting them. More activity on your LinkedIn profile will lead to increased profile views. 

Q: I heard that other LinkedIn users can see when I’ve viewed their profile. Is this true?

A: It depends on your profile settings. Go to your LinkedIn “Privacy & Settings” page. Under Privacy Controls, click “Select what others see when you’ve viewed their profile.” You will see three options (totally anonymous, partially anonymous, or visible). Make your selection according to your preference. Personally, we recommend keeping your profile visible to others (the top option on the screen). This way, others will be able to see when you have viewed their profile – which will likely lead to more profile views – and you will see when they have viewed your profile. For example, if a hiring manager from a company that you recently applied to views your LinkedIn profile, you will know that they are researching you online and may be interested. You can then follow-up directly with the hiring manager regarding the position. If your profile were left anonymous, you would not have been able to see who viewed your profile.

Q: My LinkedIn summary section is blank. I struggle with knowing what to include. Is this an important section?

A: Yes! The LinkedIn summary section is your chance to further establish your professional brand. Have you ever been asked the infamous, “Tell me about yourself” question in an interview? Your LinkedIn summary is similar to what you might say in response to this question. Likewise, the professional profile on your resume has the same intent. Summarize your career highlights, core competencies, professional goals, and any major accomplishments that might set you apart from other professionals with a similar professional background. Select your most marketable qualifications for your target industry and illustrate your strengths. Keywords are very important in this section! When an employer looks at your LinkedIn profile summary, you want them to gain a good understanding of who you are as a professional and what you can do for them.

Q: How do I connect with UK alumni in my city or field on LinkedIn?

A: The LinkedIn alumni tool is a fabulous resource! You can access this tool by hovering over the “Connections” tab at the top of your LinkedIn page, and selecting “Find alumni.” You can also get to the same page by simply going to www.linkedin.com/alumni. This LinkedIn feature allows you to search your alumni database on LinkedIn based on geographic location, company, industry, college major, and skills. This is a great way to strategically network your way into a company, meet like-minded professionals in your geographic region, or learn more about a field of interest by conducting informational interviews with fellow UK alumni. Take advantage of your Wildcat network! There are currently nearly 100,000 UK alumni on LinkedIn and that number is only going to grow.

If you don’t already have a LinkedIn account, create your free account at www.linkedin.com.

Starting a Job on the Right Foot

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average number of jobs held in a lifetime ranges from 11 to 15. It’s no surprise that we will be the “new kid on the block” during our career. Networking remains the most critical strategy in the job search process and is more than 80 percent effective in landing a new position. UK alumna Liz Cornish ’75 AS, leadership coach and Founder of FHD (First 100 Days) Consulting, says it best, “It’s not who you know. It’s who knows you. Be proactive, be curious and be visible!”
First impressions become lasting perceptions. Do everything in your power to begin your new job on the right foot.

Do as much research as possible regarding your new company, employer, colleagues, industry and products. Investigate the company culture and appropriate professional attire to help you assimilate with the environment and peers. Review the LinkedIn profiles of colleagues in your new department. Learn about their career paths and find something in common. 

You may be nervous to begin your new position. A multitude of emotions can be expected. Employers expect a slight learning curve, and it is acceptable to ask questions. Seek guidance in order to achieve success in your new position. Befriending a veteran employee or asking for a mentor is valuable in becoming familiar with office protocol, management styles and professional growth. Perhaps there are other UK alumni in the organization to reach out to for guidance or support.

Quickly learn the names of your new colleagues. Addressing colleagues by name can help in building professional relationships. Those peers may also be more likely to lend a hand during your adjustment phase. While communicating with new colleagues, avoid comparing your new and previous companies. If your previous employer had a more efficient way of doing something, wait for the appropriate platform to tactfully present your suggestions/ideas. 

Do your work and demonstrate potential. Don’t be afraid to ask for help as you learn the ropes. Appear willing to learn and take initiative. You may find it beneficial to set goals, track your progress and seek regular feedback. A positive attitude and open mind go a long way, leading to a successful transition into a new job.

UK Alumni Association members are eligible for two complimentary appointments per year with an alumni career counselor. Call 1-888-9UK-CATS (852287) to schedule an appointment. Your alumni career counselors are available to review your resignation letter by email.
Visit www.ukalumni.net/career to learn more about Alumni Career Services.