By Lauren Kazemekas '24As you start to develop in your career you need to expand your network and make a name for yourself on professional networking platforms. LinkedIn is a social network where you can manage your digital identity, engage with professionals in your desired field, and access career-related insight, knowledge, and opportunities. Beyond simply having a LinkedIn account there are initial steps you need to take to expand your visibility and boost your influence on LinkedIn. The Basics – Photos, Work Experience, and Interests On LinkedIn it’s essential to present yourself in a more professional manner than you would on other social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook. Your profile picture is the first impression people get when they look at your LinkedIn profile, so it should be a professional headshot or other well-taken photo of yourself. The photo could even be taken on your smartphone with good lighting. There is also an option to add a cover photo to represent yourself. The cover photo on my LinkedIn profile is a photo of the Marist College campus, which indicates my love for my college. Other people choose to put plain backgrounds or their company’s logo as their cover photo. When you add work experience, make sure it is updated and leave off things that are irrelevant. Include leadership roles and internships you have had. Unless you are first starting out, you will not need to include part-time jobs unrelated to your studies or temporary assignments that lasted less than a month. LinkedIn also has the feature to add interests to your profile, which is an excellent way to follow news on companies and your college or university. Your interests should show people industries and companies you are passionate about. I follow companies like Amazon, Forbes, and The Hartford on LinkedIn. Adding Your Resume and Work Samples Using LinkedIn employers can view your profile and assess your performance before they meet you. For this reason, you are able to upload multiple resumes on LinkedIn. It is important to both list work experience on your profile and post your resume even if the content is similar because you will appear in more searches if you do so. There are standards to meet for resumes that can vary depending on the job you are applying for. But it’s always a good idea to upload at least a general resume on your profile. You should also upload work samples such as photos, videos, writing, or other projects/presentations to your profile. This content will show employers your technical capabilities and be able to back up skills that you list. Making Connections But how do I connect with others on LinkedIn? Well, it is very similar to other social media platforms. You can look people up or check your recommendations, which are based on content on your profile. You are able to join groups, check out events, and even go through your contacts to see which ones are active on LinkedIn. You should request anyone in your network such as faculty and staff from Marist College, former co-workers, and previous supervisors. Also reach out to family, friends, and people who work at a company you aspire to work for. The more you reach out, the better chance those connections become meaningful. Reposting and Sharing Articles As you start to connect with others on LinkedIn, you have the ability to repost what they share. You can share your own posts as well. Many people share articles dealing with business, health, or other aspects of professional development. By sharing and reposting content, your connections can see what you value. Different options for reacting to content on LinkedIn allow for uplifting ways to connect with colleagues. Now that you have a background of LinkedIn, it is time to start creating your profile and making those connections. It is crucial for your professional development to join and be active on platforms like these and use them to your advantage. These steps should help expand your influence and make a name for yourself when applying for all types of opportunities.
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By Lauren Kazemekas ’24Now that we’re more than one week into December perhaps you’re nearing the end of your college journey and it’s time to find a full-time job. Rather than sending the same resume and cover letter out to each potential employer, it is essential to customize each of your job applications to the company and position in order to look favorable to the employer. If you have a connection with a current or past employee of the company, reach out to them and ask for an informational interview. Some things you can discuss during the informational interview include:
These are also good questions to ask your interviewer when discussing the position. Rate of Turnover When looking at employee feedback, pay close attention if there seems to be a high number of people leaving their jobs at the company over a short time period. While it is always positive to get work experience, stability and security can also be necessary early in your career to help you build stronger relationships with colleagues. Of course keep in mind that everyone also has their own reasons for leaving a job or company. Valid reasons for employees frequently changing jobs could be wanting to build new skills, the opportunity for more hours (switching from part-time to full-time work), increase in responsibilities, upgrade in pay, and more. Ultimately, your first full-time job should provide you with enough time to build relationships and have meaningful responsibilities that will grow your skill set. Benefits Benefits include any form of compensation other than salary that ensures employees can meet a certain standard of living. Companies provide both mandatory and voluntary benefits as part of their contracts for their full-time employees. Mandatory benefits are required by law and include social security, unemployment, workers compensation, and unpaid leave for medical needs. Voluntary benefits typically deal with health and wellness and can include medical and/or dental coverage, retirement savings, and other areas. Some companies could even offer tuition reimbursement for graduate school or other forms of postgraduate study as one of their benefits. When a company provides benefits, it can make your financial situation easier because everything is laid out for you. Comparing company benefits is a great way to see what company you strive to work for. Development and Employee Training The amount of onboarding or early training that companies provide can vary from extensive to a minimal amount. Training time can be allotted for weeks, months, or even years. It’s important to think about the level of training you want or need in your entry level job. Many companies offer development programs for new graduates. Company Mission, Vision, and Values The final, but one of the most important, factors to consider when job searching is how an organization presents itself and its goals. Many people try to find companies whose social values align with their own. The company’s mission and vision statements usually communicate its values well. While a mission statement stands for the company’s current objectives, the vision statement shows its long-term goals and outlook for the future. In any job you want to feel motivated, supported, and trusted while you contribute to the company’s mission and vision. As you search for your first full-time job decide on aspects of roles and companies that are most important to you. A company name alone can sometimes overshadow what you truly need in a job or tasks you will perform. These factors should not only be considered for your first job out of college, but also as you progress in your career and your priorities change. Happiness in your job will not just be beneficial to you as an employee, but also as a human being. By Lauren Kazemekas '24 Is your microphone on? Is your face cut off? Are you dressed appropriately? These are all thoughts that race through your mind prior to a virtual interview. However, virtual interview preparation can be similar to getting ready for an in-person interview, only with some additional layers. As opposed to virtual group meetings, here are some tips that will help you feel relaxed and confident during a one-on-one virtual interview. Prepare to Answer General Questions Although interview questions can vary by company, role, or industry, there are some general points you should speak about with your interviewer on the other side of the screen. Employers generally ask questions or give prompts like:
It’s helpful to begin brainstorming how you will respond to these inquiries during the virtual interview. Thinking about and preparing for certain questions can ease your nerves heading into your discussion. Test Your Technology You cannot present yourself well in a virtual interview if your audio, internet, and video connections are poor. Make sure the employer can hear and see you clearly throughout the interview by testing your speakers and camera before joining the virtual meeting. I would recommend joining the meeting ahead of your assigned time to make sure the software is working properly on your end. Depending on how your interviewer sets up your meeting there is a possibility that you will enter a waiting room and the employer will let you in to the meeting to begin your virtual interview. It can be helpful to have an email address or phone number for your interviewer in case you need to reach out to them due to technical difficulties at the beginning of your meeting. Nothing is worse than having technology issues ruin your chance at an opportunity you have worked hard to receive. Dress the Part Wearing professional attire will not only show the employer you are taking the interview seriously, but can also boost your confidence. To be considered a strong candidate, you want to take the proper steps to be presentable, even in a virtual environment. Set the Scene In addition to your clothing, remember to assess everything in the camera’s view. A plain background is preferred for a virtual interview. You do not want any photos, posters, or other items that can make your environment look busy or distracting. During the interview make sure to silence and/or put away your phone to stay focused on the virtual conversation with the employer. If you need to be among roommates or family members, let them know the time of your virtual interview and ask them to respect your privacy. Tell a Memorable Story The key to crushing a virtual interview is to stand out. You want to respond in a way that will be memorable to your interviewer and ask them good questions. Show them how interested and ambitious you are. There are things you should incorporate into your interview that will tell your own story, showcasing who you are professionally and personally. Think about how you can also weave your skills that are relevant for the position into your story. Follow Up After The Interview Not sending a thank you note is a common mistake people make after their interview. It is crucial to follow up with the employer not only to be courteous, but confirm your interest in the position and the company. Recruiters meet with hundreds of people all the time, so a follow-up email could put you further toward the front of their minds or open up other opportunities down the line. Using these six tips as a checklist will help you feel extra ready for your virtual interview. There are extra steps to take for virtual interviews, but preparation and practice are keys to your overall success. You can practice for your virtual interview using InterviewStream, a free online simulator that allows users to see and hear themselves responding to interview questions. To learn more about InterviewStream or conduct a mock interview with a career coach in the Center for Career Services, please schedule a remote appointment using FoxQuest. |
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