This document summarizes a class on leveraging LinkedIn for career success. It discusses the purpose of LinkedIn compared to a resume, key aspects of an effective LinkedIn profile like a headshot, headline, summary and experience section. It also covers how to use LinkedIn to find job opportunities by connecting with companies, influencers, groups and professionals. Students are instructed to work on their LinkedIn profiles and connect with 5 people in class. The assignment is to draft a skills matrix and sign up for LinkedIn workshops for extra marks.

1. COMM 202:
Career Fundamentals
T05 & T15 with Samyta Rai

2. Today’s Agenda:
1. LinkedIn Crash Course
2. Leveraging LinkedIn
3. Get to work work work work

3. LinkedIn Crash Course
1

4. What’s the
point of
LinkedIn?

5. What’s the
point of
LinkedIn? LINKEDIN
• a social network
• tailored to your
personal brand
• includes broader
experiences and
interests
RESUME
• direct & formal
• company-specific
• portrays your
qualifications for
a specific role

6. What’s the
point of
LinkedIn? RESUME
• direct & formal
• company-specific
• portrays your
qualifications for
a specific role
LINKEDIN
• a social network
• tailored to your
personal brand
• includes broader
experiences and
interests

7. BUT before
you start.. turn off the
notification feature
when making small
changes
avoid marking connection requests
as “I Don’t Know”; if you do too many
LinkedIn kicks you off the platform

8. The Keys to LinkedIn Success

10. 1. a professional
headshot

11. 2. A captivating headline

12. 3. interesting summary that
shows your personality

13. 4. custom URL and
contact info

14. 5. complete experiences with
explanations & media

15. Headshots
HEADSHOTS
• reasonably close up
• high quality, good
lighting, etc
• looks like you
• a coloured photo
with a slight head tilt
makes you more
likeable
• CUS Visual Media

16. HEADLINES
• this is your hook!
• short & sweet
(120 characters
max)
• tell us about who
you are & what you
do

17. HEADLINES
• this is your hook!
• short & sweet
(120 characters
max)
• tell us about who
you are & what you
do

20. Summary
▹2000 characters (don’t use it all)
▹Summarize your background
▹Tell us about your future goals
▹What makes you tick?

21. SOLID
EXAMPLES

22. SOLID
EXAMPLES

23. Experiences
▹Include all roles (in reverse chronological order)
▹Use first person & a conversational tone
▹Not a repeat of your resume
▹Show examples of your work if you have them
(videos, presentations, reports, etc)
▹Be concise!

25. companies
• stay up to date
with your
favourite
companies
• keep an eye out
for roles you can
apply for
influencers
• who inspires you
• align their identity
with your brand
• follow your idols
& stay goal
oriented!
groups
• industries of
interest
• special interest
groups and
communities
• your peers and
colleagues

26. Leveraging LinkedIn
2

28. Managing
Expectations
▹You will rarely be offered a job from someone straight from
LinkedIn
▹In fact, be wary of strangers who offer to hire you on the spot
▹This is a tool to make connections that will open up your
options in the hidden job market

29. WHO DO I
CONNECT
WITH?
Ø Connect with professionals you meet at
networking sessions
Ø Find and connect with recruiters for your
favourite companies
Ø Stay connected to mentors, past co-workers,
and managers
Ø Connect with people from the BCC

30. Sample
Messages
Hello Beyoncé, it was a pleasure meeting you at
last week’s VMA’s. I enjoyed our conversation on
your 5 incredible key changes in ‘Love On Top’!
Let’s connect and stay in touch.
Hi Rihanna, I notice that you’re the CEO of Fenty
Beauty. Your launch was truly a master class in
branding. As an aspiring marketer, I’d love to pick
your brain over a cup of coffee sometime.

31. Your Turn!
3

32. Take this
time to…
• make a LinkedIn
• work on your headline
(ask me or your
classmates for help)
• connect with 5 people
today (hint: there are 9
TA’s and a classroom
full of potential
connections)

35. Action items for next week:
1. Skills Matrix drafts due on October 5th at the start
of class: 2 positive and 1 failure stories
2. Final Skills Matrix due October 13th on Turnitin: 6
positive and 2 failure stories
3. LinkedIn Workshops with the BCC (for bonus
marks)
4. Free headshots on September 28th at 12:30pm
(register on Facebook)

36. 1. Email: comm202.7@sauder.ubc.ca
2. Tutorials: Approach me before or after tutorial
3. Office hours: Available throughout the term as
assignments come up (stay tuned)
How to get in touch with me:

37. Thanks!
Any questions?
Have a great day!