Why Join Linkedin? (Part 2)
July 30, 2012 :: Admissionado Team
Still not convinced? Boy, you are one hardcore technophobe. If Part I didn’t persuade you that Linkedin is super beneficial, here’s a few more scenarios in which Linkedin might be of use:
Relationships with professors:
Most of the time, you don’t just drop your professors an e-mail after you graduate to keep them informed about what you’re doing with your life post-grad. That’s a little awkward. But if you connect with them on Linkedin, they can see your resume, where you’re working, what jobs you’re looking for, and might be able to help you in the future if you need a recommendation because they will feel like you’ve stayed in touch.
Relationships with fellow students:
You might be connected to many classmates on Facebook, but you might not be friends with others. Or, your friends may have some background in a field that you didn’t know they had, either because it never came up in conversation or because they never posted it on Facebook. But your friend may post it on Linkedin, which could be a potential connection for a job later on.
Inform people of what you’re doing:
Updated your blog or website? Got a new job? Looking for a new job? Started a Masters program? Graduated from your Masters program? When you update your Linkedin profile, all of your connections can see the update and what has changed. And whatever that change was might come at the right time if an employer who you’re linked to sees it, which could land you a job interview.
Share common interests, stay in the loop:
You graduated from college or grad school and are looking for a job, but in the meantime you’re feeling somewhat intellectually isolated. With no courses or academic conferences or papers to write or exams to study for, you feel disconnected. On Linkedin you can join groups that cater to your specific professional and academic interests, connect to thought leaders in those areas, and get to know others who share your interests.
Find a job:
Yes, there’s many, many, MANY job websites out there, from Monster to Craigslist to your university’s career website to a billion others. But on LinkedIn, you can see other people in your network (or in your friends’ networks) who work at the companies that are hiring. This allows you an entryway to connect with people who could help you get that job when you apply.
In summation: as long as you create a professional and thoughtful profile, Linkedin can really only help your career. Now go sign up!
