On Wednesday February 25, the PAFs participated in a great LinkedIn workshop with Michael Steelman, Director of Alumni Career Services in the Office of Alumni Relations.
As LinkedIn is becoming an increasingly important career tool, we had the opportunity to learn how to better use this online platform for networking, job searching, and beyond. In this session, Michael emphasized two powerful functions of LinkedIn.
The first feature he illustrated was how to utilize the “Find Alumni” function under the “Connections” tab. By using this feature, users can find alumni from GW by work places, job functions, and moreThe second feature he showed us was the “Save to Contacts” function, represented by a star near the top of their profile. By clicking the star, users can add notes or reminders to people they would like to connect.
Michael also shared two tips. First, he emphasized the importance of personalizing LinkedIn invitation messages. Second, he encouraged us to edit our profile summary. While most people (PAFs included!) put their job title in their summary, Michael recommended instead listing personal skills, industries, or interests that appeal to potential employers.
I enjoyed the session and learned a lot from it. All the PAFs really appreciated Michael’s great presentation and insights. I know I am personally going to explore LinkedIn more and participate in great GW virtual networking sessions going forward.
All PAF alumni are invited to join fellow Colonials for GW Virtual Networking Hours, a unique opportunity to share your experiences, exchange career tips, and build your professional networks. Additionally, the PAF program has a LinkedIn group. If you are not already a member, we encourage you to join us!