This blog post was submitted by Keith Petri, eBranding Me’s Founder/CEO. Keith is a graduate of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY and Digital & Social Media Strategist at CNSLT.us. His studies in business, economics and studio art along with strong passions for marketing, technology and entrepreneurship led him to his current passion for social media and strong understanding of the new rules of networking. Through his prior entrepreneurial pursuits, recent blogging and extensive networking, Keith has seen the need for educating his peers on creating a positive online presence. eBranding Me is the culmination of his efforts.
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Many people exchange business cards and the majority of them end up in a desk drawer. Last week, during a conversation with Matt Bernstein, a fellow Skidmore graduate and the President of Pair of Shoes Digital Marketing, we briefly touched on the informal exchange of business cards at networking events. As the discussion continued we concluded, “connecting on LinkedIn is like trading business cards”. It doesn’t mean a personal relationship was made unless each party consciously decides to make an effort to continue the conversation.
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LinkedIn is an extremely powerful professional networking tool. It enables its users to connect via its website, learn about their contacts, update their network and engage in conversations focused on industries specific to their individual interests.
Unfortunately, Generation Y students, recent graduates and young professionals do not utilize LinkedIn to its full potential. There are opportunities to connect with industry experts, research topics and even connect with hiring managers and recruiters, but my peers have not found this gem hidden among other social media distractions.
The first step to creating a successful LinkedIn presence is having a 100% complete profile. To do so, requires inputting some general personal information:
- Upload a Professional Photo
- Current Position: “Student at _______ College”
- Two Past Positions (i.e. Lifeguard, Internship, etc…)
- Education (_______ College, and High School)
- Profile Summary (Personal Branding Statement or “Elevator Pitch” – Who are you? And what are your professional goals?)
- Specialties (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, Photoshop, etc..)
- 3 Recommendations (ask professors, past employers, religious leaders, or even group members for school projects)
However, to really benefit from having a LinkedIn profile a job candidate must embed some of the optional features (applications) such as: Reading List from Amazon, Blog Link, Box.net Files (PDF of Resume), Tweets, etc. Allowing for a potential employer or connection to learn more about your personal life will make you more than just an applicant; it will give you a personality.
How does your LinkedIn profile represent you?
Connect with me on LinkedIn today…
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