This document outlines tips for using LinkedIn to build professional relationships and find job opportunities. It discusses connecting with classmates, professors, recruiters, and hiring managers. It recommends participating in industry groups on LinkedIn and using direct messages to connect with contacts. The document also provides templates for interview thank you notes and cover letters. It gives negotiation advice like researching typical salaries and priorities. Resources like scheduling appointments with career centers are listed at the end.

1. Lally Senior PDW, Oct. 2015
Michael T. Breslin

2. • Relationships
• Interviewing
• Negotiation
Agenda

3. • Use LinkedIn
• Find people
• Send them messages
Relationships

4. • Easy connections to make
– Classmates
– Professors
– Staff
• A bit more difficult
– A presenter
– An author of an article
• Eventually
– Recruiters
– Hiring managers
– Employees of desirable employers
Connect with…

5. • All serve your brand
– Research your industry
• In Groups, you should
– Introduce yourself
– Participate in conversations
– Connect with people over these interactions
Groups, Following, and Companies

6. Dear Mr/s _______,
My name is _____, and I am a student at RPI (or Lally) who
found your information in ______ on LinkedIn. (May I have 20
minutes to ask about your experience with ________?) I am
trying to learn more about *function* careers at *industry*
companies in New York, and your insights would be very
helpful.
Thank you for your time,
Your name
The Message
(from “The 2-Hour Job Search”)

7. • Who you know
• Strong ties
• Weak ties
The best way to grow your
relationships

8. • Research the company / position
• Research yourself
• Tell stories that illustrate the fit
• Practice
Interviews

9. Questions Asked
• Tell me about yourself
• Why should we hire you?
• Greatest strengths
• Weaknesses
• Tell me about my company

10. Questions Asked
• Strategic nature
• It’s Storytime
• You may be probed
• Methods of answering
• Examples

11. Mr. Manager,
Thank you for taking the time to interview me on Wednesday for the
____ job. I really enjoyed our conversation. The more I learn, the more
I am convinced that my skills in X, Y, and Z are perfect to help with your
A, B, and C challenges. In fact, I believe my experience in D, E, and F
would also be an advantage to solving your issues with _________. I
am looking forward to discussing this with you again in more depth. I’ll
call you on Tuesday to discuss where we go from here.
Sincerely,
Your name
Thank you note

12. • Research comparable salaries
• Research cost-of-living
• Get your mind and priorities right
Negotiation

13. • Research comparable salaries
– “Someone in my position typically makes…”
• Research cost-of-living
• Other negotiables
– Accelerated review schedule, vacation, conferences
– Relocation, bonus structure
• Get ALL info about the offer
• Get your mind and priorities right
• Prove it…prove what?
Negotiation

14. • Michael T. Breslin – breslm@rpi.edu
• To make an appointment, go to
https://www.rpi.edu/dept/cdc/students/appsche
d2.html
• Vault, InterviewStream at
http://lallyschool.rpi.edu/lifeafterlally/job-board
• https://www.pinterest.com/lallycareers/
Resources