LinkedIn features you may not be using!

LinkedIn is great way to connect and network with professionals who have similar career interests. Recruiters are quickly moving towards LinkedIn has a key way to source and find candidates for internships and full-time positions. With LinkedIn you can also showcase your professionalism, use your profile to expand your skills and experiences beyond your resume, and learn new things by being a part of groups that peak your professional interest where you will find fascinating articles and discussions. Utilizing LinkedIn can definitely aid you in the job and internship search process. Below are a few key features to LinkedIn that you may not be using that could help move you forward in your career!

Alumni Search Tool – this is a great tool to find people associated with a particular school, i.e. Penn State, industry and/or location. When you go to the Alumni tool, Penn State will already be selected as your university. You can then break down possible connections by “where they work,” “what they do,” and “where they live.” This is a great way to connect with Alumni who are working in an area of your career interests.

ProFinder – this is a freelance marketplace where you can sign up to find project-based work. By the year 2020 LinkedIn expects 43% of the U.S. workforce will be made up of workers who freelance. LinkedIn wants to connect young professionals to real business experience. You do need to apply to be a service provider on LinkedIn ProFinder. Check out LinkedIn’s five keys to a successful LinkedIn ProFinder profile

LinkedIn Salaries – this tool allows people to see what the median salaries are for positions in specific geographical areas. LinkedIn is now allowing students to bypass the requirement to submit their salary to view information. They simply need to be logged-in to their LinkedIn account have their appropriate education fields up-to-date!

There are many other features on LinkedIn to help you stand out and get noticed as a candidate. Check out this article on other ways to make your LinkedIn profile pop!

 

By Sherry Rice
Sherry Rice Director of Professional Development & Programming