The document discusses the importance of using LinkedIn for professional networking and career development. It provides tips on creating a strong LinkedIn profile, connecting with other professionals in your industry, using groups to engage with like-minded connections, searching and applying for jobs directly through LinkedIn, and following companies to stay informed about opportunities. The overall message is that LinkedIn allows users to effectively manage and market their professional identity, build valuable relationships, and access career-related knowledge, insights and opportunities.

1. THE RISE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING…
Use LinkedIn to your
Advantage!

2. MY BACKGROUND:
Cara Valentine
Graduate Counselor/Employer Relations
Assistant
valentc01@buffalostate.edu
Career Development Center
CLEV 306
716-878-5811
askcdc@buffalostate.edu
 Upstate NY
 St. Lawrence
University
 Headhunter
 Buffalo State- CDC

3. HOW MANY OF YOU ARE USING…
 Facebook?
 Twitter?
 LinkedIn?
 Instagram?
 Pinterest?

4. IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING…
 What is networking?
 Definition: to develop relationships with people who can be
helpful to one professionally, especially in finding employment
or moving to a higher position
 Why is networking important?
 Hiring Process
“The work you do and the relationships you build stay with you forever!”

5. WHAT IS LINKEDIN?
 Social media website used specifically for professional
networking
 200 million+ members (U.S. & Internationally)
 Allows you to:
 Manage and market your professional identity-Electronic Resume
 Build and engage with professionals in your network.
 Access knowledge, insights and opportunities (job, extra curricular, volunteer,
etc)
 RESEARCH: Graduate School, Law School, Companies, Other
professionals, Hiring Managers, etc.FREE APP ON YOUR SMARTPHONE OR
TABLET

7. LINKEDIN 2012 STATS
Recruiter sourcing for
candidates
Job Seekers
LinkedIn 93% 38%
Facebook 66% 52%
More Interesting
Stats!

8. LINKEDIN PROFILE
 Let’s take a look at what LinkedIn has to offer!!
 Home page/news feed
 Profile
 Contacts
 Groups
 Jobs
 Inbox
 Companies
 News
 More…

9. CONNECTIONS
 LinkedIn profiles are connections not “friends”
 1st, 2nd and 3rd Connections
 Why?
 Helps you create your niche or area of interest (ie Law, Education, Fashion, Sales, etc)
 Job, Internship, Volunteer leads
 Build a relationship & help people network- “I scratch your back you scratch mine”
 Rule of thumb: Do not connect with anyone who will not benefit from knowing you
or someone in your network
 Don’t connect with just anybody!!

10. GROUPS
 Why?
 Connect with like-minded professionals related to your industry
 Join discussions by sharing insights, posting articles or asking a question
 Find people to connect with also in group
 Job, Internship and Volunteer leads
 Join groups that are part of your “niche”
 Alumni Relations is a great tool for networking- Join Buffalo State
group

11. JOB SEARCH
 Why?
 Search for jobs and internships posted on LinkedIn
 A lot of recruiters/ hiring managers are now ONLY advertising their job
openings on LinkedIn
 You can save job openings in different industries (up to 10 searches) emailed
to you daily, weekly or monthly.

12. FOLLOW COMPANIES
 Why?
 Industry insight
 Find new professionals to connect with
 Track changes and development
 Job or Internship advertisements
 Generate job leads (expansions, promotions, job changes, etc)

13. QUESTIONS???
Cara Valentine- Graduate Career Counselor
valentc01@buffalostate.edu
CLEV 306
716-878-5811