Making the Most of LinkedIn

Making the Most of LinkedIn

What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is a social networking platform that provides individuals with the opportunity to connect with other professionals, share information and resources, explore opportunities, and promote one-self and/or brand awareness with others.

Why is LinkedIn Important?

LinkedIn gives you the chance to create and promote your online presence. It helps you build connections with people and organizations that can help you find work and get involved in your field. Having a detailed LinkedIn profile can increase your chances of getting notice from employers and can help establish your creditability as a professional in your industry.

Here are some tips on how to create a LinkedIn Profile: 

1. Understand how a LinkedIn profile is similar and different from your resume:

• Both showcase professional highlights and individual personalities. Therefore, depicting your profile in a professional manner is important!

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2. Steps in creating your LinkedIn Profile:

• Your Headline should be short, concise and memorable. 
• Your Photo should be professional and only you!
• Your Summary should be short and simple, including a brief overview of your goals, qualifications, and experience.
• Your Experience (Work, Volunteer etc.…) should be relevant and include a summary. 
• Your Education should include any concentration/specializations and honours/awards. 
• Your Profile should be kept relevant by updating your experiences, status and sharing captivating content on a regular basis.
• Customize your LinkedIn URL as it is easier for people to reach you.

(Information retrieved from Brock University CareerZone)

(Careerzone.brocku.ca)

3. LinkedIn Quick Tips for Job Search 

• Personalize your brand. Potential recruiters seek specific job titles when looking for candidates. (Information retrieved from Brock University CareerZone)
• Be active and maintain connections.

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4. LinkedIn as a Networking Tool 

• When you are using LinkedIn for employment purposes, networking is essential.
• Join groups, stay active with people in your industry! 
• Leverage the alumni feature to get connected to others in your field.
• Reach out to people, grow your network:  
• Seek personal endorsements of skills and parallels in school, programs and experiences.

Remember, LinkedIn should be a substitute for real-world networking. As such, it is not a replacement!

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Career Zone is happy to assist! Use our Career Zone portal, where LinkedIn resources are available in the Student Resources Section of the Career Zone website. 

Follow us on our social media to stay up to date with all our upcoming events and workshops!

Twitter: @BrockCareerZone 

Instagram: @brockcareerzone

Written By: Mikaela Sifflet

Exploring Co-op Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL)

March is Co-op and Work Integrated Learning month and this year’s theme is Innovative Work Integrated Learning #InnovativeWIL.  

Many of you may have heard the term CEWIL before, but what exactly is it?

CEWIL stands for Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning and provides students with the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to hands-on, real life experiences in the community or within a classroom setting.  The most well-known forms of work integrated learning are Co-op Work Terms or Internships that are embedded into an academic program.  Most Co-op positions are paid employment positions that are 4, 8 or 12 months in duration.  Some internships follow a similar structure and can be as little as two weeks in duration.  These opportunities could be paid or unpaid depending on how the internship is coordinated through an academic program.  Other forms of work integrated learning include experiential learning or service-learning activities embedded in specific courses and can look and feel different from one course to the next.  No matter what form it takes, the idea is to help students gain meaningful experience and develop skills that are transferrable to the workplace.

In the spirit of Co-op and Work Integrated Learning month, we encourage you to reflect on how you have been engaged in #InnovativeWIL.  Check out Brock’s WILMonth campaign for more information, upcoming events and social media contests!

Other resources to check out:

1. Events Calendar

Getting involved is a good way to learn how to use Careerzone’s resources. See what is happening this month by visiting our events calendar and staying up to date.

2. Workshops

Explore upcoming workshops to help you with your cover letter, resume and co-op job search! Attending these events will set you on the right path to gaining experience in your field and making connections to future careers.

3. Appointments

Don’t forget about our 1 on 1 appointment services! Sign up for an appointment for career advising, document review, job search strategies, mock interviews, and more! We are here to help you!

4. Job Postings

Don’t miss out on opportunities! Stay up to date with our job board on Careerzone where employers post all kinds of positions for students and graduating students. 

Careerzone is here to help! We look forward to seeing you at our March events for WIL Month. Careerzone also offers many other student resources for students on our portal and can be contacted through our email at career@brocku.ca. Our email can also be used to get feedback on your resume and cover letter so don’t forget to send us your documents before applying for jobs. We are here to support you so don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Finding Remote Opportunities

The idea of ‘working from home’ is quickly moving from a luxury to an expectation for many employers. COVID-19 has changed the look of the workforce forever. Many organizations are switching to a remote online focus. Below are some tips to keep in mind when looking for remote work.  

 

1. Make Sure You Look Within Yourself First 

Ask yourself questions, learn more about who you are! Before you can know what you want and how to market yourself it is crucial to know yourself. 

Ask yourself:  

• Does working from home align with my personality?  
• Will I be productive at home, am I comfortable with technology being the forefront of my work experience? 
• Will this help my mental health? 
• How long do I want to work remotely? 

As students working virtually for this year this has given us an amazing look into the world of working remotely, so reflect on this year and how it made you feel. This will help give you a better understanding for the future.  

Career Zone also offers many tools for you to get a better understanding of your interests and skills, through programs like CareerCruising, Colour Code, and many more! Take a look at the portal for tools to help with your self-discovery. 

 

2. Set Daily and Weekly Goals 

Set aside time to devote to your job search and preparation.  Set short term goals and celebrate successes. For example, “I want to apply to 5 jobs by the end of this week!” This will keep you on track and your spirits high.  Remember to take breaks and schedule time for yourself; your job search should not consume you!  

 3. Leverage Your Social Media  

Make sure you stay up to date with your LinkedIn profile and be active. Connect with people and build relationships. This helps showcase your skills and experiences to employers.  

 

4. Tailor Your Job Search  

Search terms ‘remote’ or ‘virtual’ in job search engines to help find virtual friendly industries. Furthermore, take a look at job boards specifically for remote work such as RemoteOk or FlexJobs (Links offered on Career Zone). 

5. Utilize Your Network  

Did you know that 80% of jobs come from the hidden market? Talk to family, friends, employers, and coworkers about your goals and seek help. Take time to build relationships even when at home.  

 

6. Track Your Search 

Working from home can make every day seem like the next. Keep an excel file with your job search log including the date applied, title, company, and any notes to help you stay on track and organized. 

Career Zone is here to help your remote job search. Through our portal you can access many student resources focused on remote work and preparing you for your job search. Furthermore, you can receive help by emailing career@brocku.ca to ask your questions and receive resume and cover letter help. You can also attend virtual drop in and CareerZone Cafe workshops that are scheduled on the events calendar on Career Zone. You are not alone in this search, don't be afraid to seek help and get support. We are here for you!