Business Skills: Using LinkedIn for Business Networking
Enter LinkedIn. LinkedIn.com is a website dedicated to connecting business professionals while creating networking opportunities that may aid in career advancement. LinkedIn gives professionals a chance to connect in one place, offers them a chance to connect with old classmates and business colleagues, meet new contacts through existing contacts, and even post resumes that may lead to potential interviews and job placement. It is a safe and easy way to extend your business reach, and allows complete control over your personal information. The idea behind LinkedIn is that you may not know the person who could help you with the perfect career or business opportunity but chances are, one of your contacts on LinkedIn does. The site provides the chance for you to find those contacts that you otherwise may not have encountered. Getting Started on LinkedIn To get started, just go to http://www.linkedin.com and sign yourself up. You can gradually add to your profile as you get more comfortable with LinkedIn, but be sure to put down Salem State so that you can access classmates and colleagues. Currently, there are several Salem State groups, including an alumni group and a new Bertolon School of Business group has just been started by the Dean, for current students, staff, faculty, and alumni. LinkedIn is very easy to get started on, but if you want more guidance, we have provided a few links, including one with a "how to" video. Don't wait another second to join . . . your perfect job or mentor may be out there, just waiting! The three minute LinkedIn overview video BNET: How to get started with LinkedIn About LinkedIn: Relationships Matter About.com: Using LinkedIn to enhance your employment options |
You've probably been hearing about online social networking on websites like Facebook and Myspace, but may not know how you can use social networking differently to help your career. Networking is one of the core skills of effective business professionals, but how to take advantage of the web for business purposes?