NETWORKING

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 1

 WHAT IS NETWORKING?
• Networking is one of the most essential career
development and job search tools that is often
overlooked by students and job hunters.
• Networking involves developing and maintaining
connections with individuals, then mutually benefitting
from this developed relationship.
• In relation to career development, a well developed
network provides you with a support system of
individuals who can provide meaningful assistance to
you as it may relate to your career/industry
exploration, connections to other individuals and
learning about potential job openings.
• Networking should be approached as an ongoing
process that takes time and nurturing, and not
something you do just when you are looking for a job.
4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 2
 WHY IS NETWORKING IMPORTANT?
• Networking provides you with an opportunity
to:
1. Connect with individuals in your field of
interest that can provide beneficial insight
2. Gather information pertaining to a particular
field or industry
3. Increase your chances to find out about job
openings otherwise not advertised

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 3

 CONNECT WITH INDIVIDUALS
• One of the best ways to learn about an industry,
company or position that you are interested in is
to learn about it from someone that is connected
to it firsthand.
• Building your connections will provide you with
an invaluable opportunity to best prepare for
your career goals.
• It is important to remember that networking is a
mutually beneficial process.
• You never know when your skills and resources
can prove to be beneficial to others in your
network.
4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 4
 GATHER INFORMATION
• Gaining information about a specific career
related topic can be most beneficial and
inspiring when it comes from the personal
experience of others.
• Learning about a specific field of interest and
the various occupations within it from an
individual in the field provides you with an
opportunity to gain this knowledge.

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 5

 LEARN ABOUT JOB VACANCIES
• Ever heard of the phrase “It’s not what you know,
it’s who you know”? It fully applies here.
• Approximately 66% of job vacancies are never
advertised to job seekers and are instead
obtained through some form of personal and
professional references!
• Employers prefer to hire candidates that have
been referred by a trusted source.
• They are also inclined to hire recently met job
seekers who have effectively demonstrated their
qualifications and professional competence.

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 6

 ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKING
• Online social networking has become the fastest
growing form of networking amongst professionals.
• Networking through online resources provides
individuals that usually would not have a chance to
connect with one another to develop an association on
a professional level.
• Many of these sites serve as a professional networking
tool to millions of global users to reconnect with
classmates and colleagues, discover new connections
through users and obtain answers to industry related
questions through both direct contact and discussion
boards.
• It is important to maintain a professional appearance
throughout your profile pages when using these social
networking sites for career purposes.
4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 7
 LinkedIn
• Linkedin is a business-oriented social
networking site mainly used for professional
networking. There are millions of registered
users.
• Students create a profile of their professional
experience, which can be viewed by others,
similar to a resume.
• Groups are an excellent way to network and
learn more about career paths.

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 8

 Sign Up for LinkedIn
Sign Up for LinkedIn

• Ready to get started? It's simple. Navigate to

LinkedIn.com, enter your first and last name
and email address in the indicated area, and
create a password.

• Choose a Professional Photo

• Write a Good Profile Summary

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 9
 How to Write a Good Profile Summary
• Your LinkedIn profile summary is a chance to put your best foot
forward, especially if you are interested in new job opportunities.
• LinkedIn has a 2,000-character limit for this section, and you want
to make the most of it.
• The company recommends writing three to five short paragraphs
and leaving plenty of white space so readers' eyes don't glaze over
when they land on your page.
• The company also suggests using short, tight sentences, avoiding
jargon, writing in the first person, and using keywords.
• Don't be afraid to inject some of your personality into your profile
summary to make it memorable, but steer clear of anything that
seems too unprofessional or could be controversial.
• Finally, make sure you proofread this section carefully, as you would
a cover letter for a job application. Typos and sloppy writing will
send the wrong signal.

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 10

 Improve and Tweak Your Profile
• In addition to a summary, your LinkedIn profile
can contain your work experience, education,
skills, and endorsements and recommendations
from others in your network.
• Your profile helps you get found on LinkedIn
because it contains searchable keywords in the
information you post about yourself.
• Your profile benefits from including relevant
keywords that search engines and hiring
managers look for. Including these buzzwords in
your summary, interests, former job titles, and
skills can help you stand out.
4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 11
 Request LinkedIn Recommendations
• Recommendations are another great way to
make your LinkedIn profile stand out.
• Positive recommendations written by previous
employers, clients or colleagues can show a
hiring manager what kind of employee you
are and what your strengths are.
• You have the ability to request
recommendations from your LinkedIn
connections.

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 12

 Use LinkedIn Endorsements
• Endorsementsare a quick and easy way for
your professional contacts to help show other
users where your expertise lies.

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 13

 Include Your LinkedIn Profile Address
on Your Resume
• Including your LinkedIn URL on your resume makes it easy
for prospective employers to visit LinkedIn to learn more
about you and your skills and qualifications.
• LinkedIn will assign you a URL unless you create a custom
one.
• To create a custom URL, click the "Me" icon at the top of
your LinkedIn homepage and select "View profile" from the
drop-down menu. On the right-hand side of the page, click
"Edit public profile & URL."
• Try using your first and last name. If that is taken, try a
middle initial or your full middle name.
• Just make sure that your profile is up to date before
including a link to it on your resume.

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 14

 Sending Messages and Invitations
• Once you sign up for LinkedIn and create a
profile, you can start to build a network of
contacts, including people with whom you
connect on a professional basis, an educational
basis, or based on another common interest.
• Send contact invitations to people who meet one
or more of these objectives.
• When you message people within or outside of
your network, keep it professional.
• You'll increase your response rate if you keep
your messages on point.

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 15

 Applying for Jobs on LinkedIn
• Job seekers can search and apply for jobs directly
on LinkedIn. In addition, you can view and
contact your LinkedIn connections who may be
able to refer you for a job.
• Targeted searches such as the advanced people
or company finders can sharpen your scope and
help you find exactly what you are looking for.
• You can filter the advanced search by location,
industry, alumni status, or number of employees
to get more concise, specific search results.

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 16

 Searching Company Profiles

• LinkedIn company profiles are a good way to

find more information on companies in which
you have an interest.
• You'll be able to see if you have any
connections at the company, new hires,
promotions, jobs posted, related companies,
and company statistics.

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 17

 Keep Your LinkedIn Profile Up to Date
• The more complete your LinkedIn profile is,
the better your chances to be found and
contacted.
• Use your LinkedIn profile like a resume and
provide prospective employers with detailed
information on your skills and experience.
• And be sure to customize your profile’s unique
URL to make it easier to find and increase its
visibility.

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 18

 Using the LinkedIn Mobile App
• The LinkedIn Mobile App features include
searching and viewing profiles, inviting new
connections, accessing LinkedIn answers, and
actionable network updates.
• You can send and receive messages, look up
user or company profiles, and even upload
your resume to job openings all in the palm of
your hand.
• Use the app to keep your job search moving
forward when you're on the road.

4/21/2020 Dr. Amit Kumar 19