LinkedIn is really solid. If you're looking for a new job its the way to go. It's also much faster and easier to apply through linkedin and provides a great tracking tool. Like Auto mentioned, its the site that provided the best chances for an interview in my experience. I'd try and friend as many HR ppl you can and wait for them post links about jobs etc...

@Auto, the premium account is not worth it. Best feature is to see who's looked at your account.

sleeper;1340009 wrote:Judging by some of your posts, you'll need all the help you can get once you hit the real world.

Blow me.

I Wear Pants;1340004 wrote:Depends on your job/industy/where you are in your career. Like I got one just to register my name/url so I'd have it but it wouldn't really make sense for me to use it right now as a student.

Why is that? You can try to get jobs or internships with it as a student. You can also start lining up employment and connections through it so you can have a job when you are no longer a student.

If one works in the private sector it is a networking necessity.

Manhattan Buckeye;1340286 wrote:If one works in the private sector it is a networking necessity.

I could be way off base, but it really seems to me to be a mid-level and up tool. My advice would be to try to get linked with people 1-2 levels above you. Don't link below unless you really know them and can speak to their abilities (and vice versa). Don't embarass yourself trying to link with the CEO that you've never met.

When I first started off, I accepted any and all invitations. Then I got smart and realized my network might also reflect on me. I've been in some awkward moments where admins from job sites have invited me. I guess I should use the feature where you can drop people.

IMO unless a person that tries to link in with you is known to be a criminal or incompetent you need to keep your network as broad as possible. With the internet it is virtually impossible to get a job in the private sector unless you have an "in" at the business. Monster.com and Careerbuilder just doesn't work - if a company posts an opening they'll get thousands (if not tens of thousands) of applications on Brassring or whatever, even if you are highly qualified for the job your resume and cover letter will just be white noise. My wife has an interview next month that she would never have got had it not been due to one of her former underlings putting in her application. I have former underlings at such companies as Caterpillar, Advanced Auto Parts, etc....even if they were 1-2 levels below me if I can keep them in my network it is worth it.

It is incredibly difficult to get a "decent" job in the U.S. right now. Companies are pulling back, our government keeps expanding with no end in sight and competition is getting more and more pronounced for even entry level jobs. No reason not to take advantage of an easy networking facility.

That's a good point. But maybe by "underlings" I should have meant virtual incompetents. But then again you never know where someone will be in 10+ years, or who might be their neighbor.

But I still think if you don't know someone you shouldn't be linked to them. Somebody calls me up and says "hey, can you connect me with Joe Schmoe", yeah sure, don't know who the that hell it is but tell him I sent ya!

I've always thought it seemed kinda lame...especially for someone who is unemployed. I can't imagine someone "Connecting" people with a cheesy smile in their profile pic while their headline basically reads "Impending Welfare State Beneficiary" actually netting results?? But, it sounds like people here have found it worthwhile so maybe I should give it another look?

I actually just got my newest job at a hospital pharmacy through the site. I would have never known about the opening otherwise.

OSH;1340277 wrote:Why is that? You can try to get jobs or internships with it as a student. You can also start lining up employment and connections through it so you can have a job when you are no longer a student.

Yeah I can but that point is really about a year away (when I'll start networking and getting internships or jobs). It really depends on the situation and what you're studying.

BoatShoes;1340578 wrote:I've always thought it seemed kinda lame...especially for someone who is unemployed. I can't imagine someone "Connecting" people with a cheesy smile in their profile pic while their headline basically reads "Impending Welfare State Beneficiary" actually netting results?? But, it sounds like people here have found it worthwhile so maybe I should give it another look?

Awesome post, just what I would expect from you.

I Wear Pants;1340966 wrote:Yeah I can but that point is really about a year away (when I'll start networking and getting internships or jobs). It really depends on the situation and what you're studying.

That's the response I expected from a college student.

OSH;1341015 wrote:That's the response I expected from a college student.

I lol'd because I was the same way in college. Networking just happens overnight.

OSH;1341015 wrote:That's the response I expected from a college student.

So companies don't just roll out the red carpet immediately after graduation?:laugh:

I'm a big fan and use it religiously. Over the past two years, at lease half of the recruiters who have contacted me have done so through LinkedIn. I've also been contacted by potential clients.

Maybe it's different for different industries, but certainly for law it's an indespensible tool.

Automatik;1341030 wrote:So companies don't just roll out the red carpet immediately after graduation?:laugh:

They do if you are a STEM major. If you aren't, you better have a strong network.

sleeper;1341037 wrote:They do if you are a STEM major. If you aren't, you better have a strong network.

Yep. All my roommate (mechanical engineer) did was submit his resume to the school and they sent it out for him and he is getting calls for co-ops and internships.

I had to attend many social events, go through a whole recruiting process, an join student organizations and multiple rounds of interviews just to get an internship.

sleeper;1341037 wrote:They do if you are a STEM major. If you aren't, you better have a strong network.

Or if you go to a B1G school.

fan_from_texas;1341049 wrote:Or if you go to a B1G school.

lol yeah. The problem is, I know a lot of Ohio State graduates right now that can't find work too. Luckily, all but one of my friends are engineers and have crazy good jobs. The only friend that isn't an engineer went to Fisher and banks more than I do.

I do imagine B1G grads have an easier time finding jobs than at other schools though, but its very tough for recent graduates.

Pick6;1341046 wrote:Yep. All my roommate (mechanical engineer) did was submit his resume to the school and they sent it out for him and he is getting calls for co-ops and internships.

I had to attend many social events, go through a whole recruiting process, an join student organizations and multiple rounds of interviews just to get an internship.

Accounting right?

sleeper;1341054 wrote:Accounting right?

yes

Pick6;1341061 wrote:yes

You'll be fine.

Tiernan;1339944 wrote:Facebook for Nerds. Huge waste.

This post actually gives it legitimacy.

BoatShoes;1340578 wrote:I've always thought it seemed kinda lame...especially for someone who is unemployed. I can't imagine someone "Connecting" people with a cheesy smile in their profile pic while their headline basically reads "Impending Welfare State Beneficiary" actually netting results?? But, it sounds like people here have found it worthwhile so maybe I should give it another look?

I'd think it at least demonstrates a person's action in looking. There are a ton of reasons why a person might be unemployed, and many have nothing to do with a person's level of competency or work ethic, so I guess I don't see "unemployed" and "impending welfare state beneficiary" as being the same.

If anything, I would think the latter more of a person that showed no effort in networking as opposed to someone who appeared to be actively networking.

I actually haven't touched mine in quite some time, but after reading this thread, I'm going to update it, I think.

O-Trap;1341073 wrote:This post actually gives it legitimacy.



I'd think it at least demonstrates a person's action in looking. There are a ton of reasons why a person might be unemployed, and many have nothing to do with a person's level of competency or work ethic, so I guess I don't see "unemployed" and "impending welfare state beneficiary" as being the same.

If anything, I would think the latter more of a person that showed no effort in networking as opposed to someone who appeared to be actively networking.

I actually haven't touched mine in quite some time, but after reading this thread, I'm going to update it, I think.

Unemployed people aren't the only ones that look for jobs.

WebFire;1341110 wrote:Unemployed people aren't the only ones that look for jobs.

Oh, I'm aware. I think unemployed people were to whom he was referring, though, when he said "impending welfare state beneficiary."