Career Corner: Why LinkedIn Matters - Columbia College Alumni

Why LinkedIn Matters

By Dan Gomez-Palacio
Director of the Grossnickle Career Services Center
Published Summer 2018, Affinity magazine

In the Grossnickle Career Services Center, we often talk to students and alumni looking for ways to get ahead in their chosen career field. No matter the area of interest, we recommend LinkedIn. Now in its 16th year, LinkedIn is generally known but often not used to its full potential.

LinkedIn directly connects users to professional —or aspiring professional — profiles. While many use LinkedIn as a passive instrument, the site can quickly expand a professional network and provide useful industry insight.

Network
LinkedIn is not like other social media platforms. On other sites, users may be hesitant to connect with casual acquaintances or fellow conference attendees. That’s exactly what LinkedIn is for, and we encourage users to be aggressive in developing new contacts.

Since LinkedIn profiles focus on professional experience, users don’t need to doubt whether or not it is appropriate to reach out. Consider LinkedIn a digital business card. By expanding this network, users can gain insight about an industry and make personal connections into a particular organization, which may result in qualified references during that important next step to landing a job.

Research
Our team often logs in to LinkedIn to research specific industries and career pathways. It is enlightening to find people in similar careers and see real-life examples of the experience and education needed to break into a field. By looking at the profiles of people in different roles, it shows what it takes to possibly get there, such as graduate degrees or entry-level positions.

Additionally, it can be a great tool to find out more about an organization. How does the company market itself on LinkedIn? What articles does it share? Does the page show the office culture? Obviously not all organizations are active on LinkedIn, but for those that are, it can provide an enhanced perspective beyond a company’s website.

Reach Out
When creating a profile, users will automatically be placed in the alumni network of their higher education institution. More than 37,000 alumni, students and employees are listed on the Columbia College LinkedIn page. This network can be utilized to find professionals who are often more than happy to give advice to a fellow Cougar.

Industry-focused groups and discussion forums are available on LinkedIn. For example, those interested in a career in Human Resources can join Society for Human Resource Management or a group dedicated to corporate recruitment. LinkedIn will even suggest user groups based on profile details. Additionally, follow key “influencers” for unique industry insight.

Dan Gomez-Palacio is the director of the Grossnickle Career Services Center. Career counseling, networking and resumé assistance are available free of charge to all students and alumni. To get started, contact Career Services at (800) 231-2391 ext. 7425 or visit www.ccis.edu/careercenter.