LinkedIn Etiquette

• • Requesting Connections
    • You’ll get a better response rate if you write a brief, personalized, note explaining why you’re interested in connecting – it could be because of a recent meeting or because of an interest in their organization or position.
  • Asking for Recommendations
    • Only request from people who really know you and your work
    • Customize each request with a polite and personalized note
  • No response from request or message
    • If you haven’t heard from a potential connection in over a month, send an email to say that you’ve reached out and would like to connect
    • If that doesn’t work, it’s best to move on
  • Professional LinkedIn Profile
    • Be truthful
    • Write your experiences like you would on a résumé or cover letter

Job Search Tips

• • Reach Out
    • Connect on LinkedIn with everyone you know (friends, family, neighbors, professors, family friends, internship colleagues and others)
    • Use the LinkedIn Alumni tool on an organization’s page to connect to alumni who are working in places of interest or in positions of interest to you.
    • Search organizations you are interested in and connect to people who you may have a connection to or want to learn more from.
  • Follow Companies
    • When you see a job you like use LinkedIn as a company research tool
    • See other similar organizations
  • Search Jobs on LinkedIn
    • LinkedIn has a robust job board where you can search and set job alerts for positions that may be of interest. (like all job boards you may not find positions for all organizations you are interested in, if there are specific organizations of interest go to their specific site to ensure the most up-to-date job posting information)
  • You’re More Experienced than you think
    • The more info you provide, the more people will connect with you
    • Think broadly about your experience:
      • Include summer jobs, unpaid/paid internships, volunteer work, and student organizations
      • Think about the experience you want someone to know, it may be more than what is on your resume.

What you can do to stand out!

• • Pick an appropriate photo.
    • Use a head shot, professional looking picture of only you
    • Have a friend or colleague take a photo of you with a solid/natural background.
    • Crop the photo to include your mid-torso and above.
  • Craft an informative profile headline.
    • Many use their job title and company and highlight key skills or motivations that drive your work.
  • Develop a professional summary
    • Tell your (brief) story.
    • Use key words that will pop up in searches
    • Emphasize unique skills:
      • What makes you special?
      • Are their skills/experiences that you want to highlight that are not tied to your current position; highlight those here!
      • This is becoming one of the best ways to be found and to highlight what you can do for an organization – use it!
  • Collect diverse recommendations
    • As you build your personal brand – your brand is not just what you say and have done, but what others have to say about you too.
      • If you receive a recommendation, offer to write one back, but at least send a thank you note.
    • Recommendations can come from many sources:
      • e.g. professors, internship coordinators, employers, colleagues, and professional mentors
  • Claim your unique LinkedIn URL
    • Set your LinkedIn profile to “public” and claim a unique URL for your profile
      • To claim a unique URL go to Settings > Edit Public Profile > Customize Public URL
  • Join groups and follow organizations
    • Start by joining Carolina MPA LinkedIn group as well as the larger industry groups related to the career you want to pursue
    • Follow organizations that you have an interest in
  • Stay engaged
    • Post articles, blogs, comments to stay engaged in your network.
  • Show off your education
    • Include your MPA degree as well as your undergraduate work
      • To list the degree before you graduate include that you are a Master of Public Administration Candidate and make sure to indicate the appropriate date that you will graduate
  • Share your experiences
    • Keep your network informed
    • List current and past positions and include roles and responsibilities of positions

LinkedIn Learning is an on-demand learning solution designed to help you gain new skills and advance your career. Search for training in specific skills (e.g., Excel), follow skills for relevant content, or see what is recommended, popular, or new.

• • Log in using UNC credentials
  • e.g., Networking: Professional Networking or Being a Good Mentee