Be An Internet Proof Candidate

Have you Googled yourself lately? According to a 2014 survey conducted by Career Builder, 43% of employers use social media platforms to research job candidates. Before the call setting up your interview, your digital brand is screened, providing supporting proof to what has been presented in your submitted professional documents. Without presence on Linkedin, the growing professional networking site used by over 300 million worldwide, employers are more likely to raise red flags to your candidacy. As Roger Collings of Manpower, a world leader of employment services, sees it: “Having a profile shows prospective employers that you are up-to-date on current employment and business trends. It demonstrates that you are making an effort to network and find creative ways to market your skills.” Recognizing this job market reality, CT invited Lavie Margolin, Linkedin expert, on Nov 18th to give a workshop where tutors could build their Linkedin profiles and learn more about the multi-functionality of the platform. For those who missed it, we have highlighted important points to consider while you are building your profile.

Headline Section:

• Remember, if you are on Linkedin already, the site is the first one that employers look to for supporting proof of your candidacy. Ask yourself, “What is the first impression you are making?” Aim to start off with a short, attention grabbing statement. 
  

Summary Section:

• This is your opportunity to be more specific. In the area where you state the occupation or current position, it is not enough to simply be labeled as a student; more has to be said.
  
  
• When thinking of what to say, consider what you aspire to do or what you’d like to be known as (ex. you can present yourself as a tutor of math, science, etc.). Ask yourself questions like: “Who am I now?”; “What do I want?/ What are my goals?”
  
  
• When writing your summary for the LinkedIn profile be to the point: state your goals and connect your major to career aspirations.
  
  

Experience Section:

• In this section you should remember to have experience listed related to your field.
  
  
• However, even if you have experience that is not related to your field, it is good to include it  because there’s quality in that as well. Such variety can show the ability to balance a schedule and acquire new skills.
  

Company Names:

• It helps to connect and network with others with the same affiliations.
  
  
• Take note that it is also important to list the exact title of your job/ position while working there. Even being specific about the location is important for connections. For example, instead of simply listing City College, list CUNY: The City College of New York. 

• There is often a drop down of well known places (ex. “The Greater NY City Area” is a good connection also).
  
  
• When listing the time period at a position do so in a way that is advantageous to you. If you have been at a location for a short time, just listing the year looks better than the month and the year.
  

Description Section:

• Can be copied and pasted from your resume; however one should be careful to double check formatting.
  
  
• It is also nice to use onetonline.org to get general description and specific tasks you fulfill in a given role. 
  

Skills Section:

• Think about hard skills & soft skills.                                                                                                                         Hard Skills: Microsoft word, data entry, engineering software, etc. vs. Soft Skills: team building, etc.

Education Section:

• List your college. It is not necessary to include GPA unless it was outstanding.
  
  
• You can put down your high school or previous college(s)  but consider if you want to be affiliated with the institution(s) and if they are relevant.
  
  

Interests Section:

• One can think about what interests relate to the career they intend to go into. (Ex. if you want to be an accountant say your interest is following financial markets or helping others with taxes.)
  
  

Birthday & Marriage:

• When considering whether it should be listed or not, ask yourself if it is relevant to your field. Perhaps an aspiring marriage counselor, pastor, etc. would put such information. Most likely one does not need to add birthday and marriage as it could even serve to hinder your chances of a job. As a rule of thumb, don't put birthday and marriage dates unless your birthday is relevant or if you look very young and want to show that you are older.

Contacting Section:

• Include how you’d like to be contacted: email and/or phone.
  
  

Connections Section: 

• Connect with only those persons that you feel will help your professional network.
  
  
• Ask yourself, “Would this person be able to help me?” and “Would I be able to help that person?” Being able to help each other is important.
  
  

When finished editing your profile the following steps should be next in line:

• 1st - connect your email
  
  
• 2nd - uncheck the “select all” box so you can decide who you connect with rather than sending annoying emails out to everyone in your email especially those who do not have a Linkedin account already.
  
  
• Remember to add quality connections, nurture those connections, and ask for their help. LinkedIn connections can increase your chances for a new job by 20% more than just sending out a resume. 

Thank you to Mr. Lavie Margolin for an informative workshop.

And to our tutors, all the best on your future connections!


Mr. Margolin has written books about LinkedIn including, “The LinkedIn Butterfly Effect”, “From Linked Out to LinkedIn”, and other job help books including, “Winning the Salary Negotiation”, “I Know Someone, What Now?”, “Winning Answers to 500 Interview Questions”, and “The Roaring Job Search Anthology.” Check him out at http://www.lioncubjobsearch.com/