I Joined LinkedIn...Now What?

You've probably heard about LinkedIn (the largest professional networking site online) and you may have even signed up, but what should you do to make the most of this tool?

Here are some LinkedIn reminders (some will be common sense) that we frequently share with students:

- Think before you link. Make sure you know the people you’re connected to on LinkedIn. Remember - this isn't like Facebook, and you don't want to "friend" everyone just because you're both at Tufts, went to the same high school, etc. On a related note, don't feel pressured to accept LinkedIn requests from people you don't know. Ask “Do I want this person to be a part of my professional network?” before you say 'yes' to a request.

- Construct your LinkedIn profile with care. This is often the first thing an employer will see when he/she Googles you. The LinkedIn Grads Guide (see below) offers samples of information to include in your profile.

- Join groups that interest you. There are many Tufts-affiliated groups on LinkedIn. The largest are the Tufts University Alumni Group and the Tufts University Professional Network. There are also smaller, niche groups like the Tufts Lawyers Association and the Tufts Entrepreneurial Network.

- Use LinkedIn for company research. Looking at company pages can provide you with great information, including Tufts graduates who work at the organization, typical career paths of employees, open positions, and more.

- Ask Career Services for networking advice. Whether in person, via phone, or through LinkedIn, we can help you make the most of your networking conversations. Before you send a note to someone, consider talking with us about the content of your networking request. A polished, well thought-out message will dramatically increase your chances of getting a response.

For more information, check out these sites:

LinkedIn Grads Guide
LinkedIn Company Pages (need to log in to access)