November, 2013
Catherine Weldon
graduate student career advisor
caweldon@mines.edu
old school
It’s not what you know; it’s who you know……..
new school
…… It isn’t who you know, but who knows you
and understands the value of what you know!
Professional Networking
what is it?
 The creation and cultivation of professional friendships
and acquaintances
 Life blood of strong and stable careers and businesses
 One of the most neglected aspects of professional
development
POTTY Training works!!
It just takes time and patience
P—Put yourself in relationship’s way
O—Take advantage of relationship opportunities
T—Train for conversation
T—Try something different
Y—You have only the opportunity presented; take it
Professional Networking Made Easy: Priming the Pump
By Matthew Moran.
Article is provided courtesy of Cisco Press.
Date: Jul 21, 2006.
LinkedIn – Why Use it?
Leading social media tool for recruiting & connecting
 Easier for recruiters to find the right candidate
 Reconnect with colleagues and share contacts
 Develop new professional contacts for conversation
 Participate in YOUR professional associations
 Engage with companies and groups become known
 Contribute to meaningful dialog – be helpful
 “Follow” companies – let jobs come to you
 Research similar companies/jobs
225 million subscribers, maybe more like 50 +/- million active
LinkedIn Tips
 Arrange Profile from your Resume
 What tools do you use? What problems do you solve?
 Professional looking photograph
 Headline is your “grabber” – make it professional, memorable, concise
 Select strong and descriptive “keywords” used throughout
 Describe & link to coursework and extra-curricular activities
 Ask professors, advisers, and team members for recommendations
 Start conversations with alums, recruiters, industry leaders
 Ask questions and engage in groups to be seen
 Explore Groups, Companies, and career paths
Linkedin/alumni
Linkedin/alumni
Finding Alumni Contacts
BINGO!
LinkedIn – Your Groups
Dear Lisa,
LinkedIn – Your Groups
LinkedIn
http://Linkedin.com/studentjobs
 4,172 Entry Level, Internship in Engineering
 22 near 80301 zip code
 667 “Mechanical” “Entry level”
 372 “Environmental Science” “Entry Level”
http://students.linkedin.com/
www.linkedin.com/studentjobs
Engineering
 Advanced search
ResearchGate.com
Next step: Face-to-Face
 Now that you have made new contacts and built
relationships, go to those conferences and shake hands!
 Your brand is reflected in the materials you use and
share with others