What's the Big Deal About Linked In?

Most likely you have heard about it – but why is this social networking site a MUST for college students entering the professional industry?


- “LinkedIn operates the world’s largest professional networking on the Internet with more than 90 million members in over 200 countries and territories.”

- There were nearly two billion people searches on LinkedIn in 2010

- As of January 2011, LinkedIn counts executives from all Fortune 500 Companies as members. Its hiring solutions were used by 69 of the Fortune 100 companies at the end of 2010.”

- “It’s no longer enough to simply have a solid resume. Students now need a professional online presence.” (Holly Paul – US Recruiting Leader for Pricewaterhouse Coopers.)

- Recruiters are using Google to search for you… Both positive and negative online presence is taken into account during job recruitment

Check out this FREE workshop designed to help you navigate the world of social media and use to your advantage during your job search! All majors and years are welcome to attend!

Linkin’ It Up: How to Market Yourself through Social Networking

Thurs, March 31, 6:30-8pm, C4C, S350, FREE!
In light of our ever-changing technological society, the Peer Career Advisors will facilitate an innovative workshop to share resources and opportunities to market yourself using social media. The workshop will focus on the primary social media tools and how to incorporate a professional edge when using these sites.


The first half of the workshop will review best practices for Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and personal/professional websites to further your knowledge on the sites and how to use them to attract employers. The second half of the program will focus on LinkedIn with a demonstration and thorough review of the website and its benefits for students. LinkedIn is a primary professional networking site and is extremely useful and easy to use. Linkin’ it up is a great way to keep up with new digital media and learn how to adequately market yourself in a professional manner! Participants are encouraged to bring their laptops to follow along for a hands-on learning experience.

Narrowing Down Your Interests: How to use FOCUS 2

As graduating college students enter the work force, directive programs provide a better understanding of what lies ahead. FOCUS-2 is a unique website that CU Career Services and Academic Advising provides its students to help in the job-search process. While the benefits of FOCUS-2 are ample, the intuitiveness of the program contributes to its success on college campuses.

FOCUS-2 is a new online, self-guided, interactive program designed to help you select the right college major and plan your career based on your personal interests, values, skills, personality, and aspirations. The website allows students to begin as an underclassman; however, the tools are beneficial to all levels of students. Through setting academic and professional goals early, students can enjoy a structured 4-year plan supported by FOCUS-2.

FOCUS-2 measures career readiness by enticing students to get concrete about their goals and career plans.

First time users: https://www.focuscareer2.com/portal/login.cfm?SID=716

Accessing FOCUS-2 as a first-time user couldn’t be easier. CU Boulder students can log into the program using a generic access code: buffalo. Once students access the web-site, they are prompted to create their own unique log-in information. From here, students have unlimited access to the invaluable career-planning utility—FOCUS-2.

Once logged into FOCUS-2, students will find an abundance of helpful resources.

There are several surveys set forth by FOCUS-2. Each self-assessment survey is specific to one area expertise. While each of the four evaluations take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete, they provide ample information regarding the skills, values, work interest, personality, and leisure interest of the participant. Although many students have an idea of what type of career they are looking for, taking self-assessment protocols such as FOCUS-2 can bring clarity to their career path.

After completing the self-guided surveys and preparing goals for career planning, students can explore additional resources found on the FOCUS-2 website. This portal provides both career comparison tools as well as a job description search feature. The purpose of this program is not to provide students with a job; but rather, to provide a foundation from which to explore any and all types of potential careers.

If students have completed the self-assessment surveys, set forth their career-related goals, and explored the possibilities awaiting them in the career world, their next step to use the resources of FOCUS-2 to move forward with the job-search process.

Careers for the GLBTQ Community

Join us for a one-day conference for students and alumni from all Colorado universities and colleges. This conference will bring together students, alumni and representatives from GLBTQ-friendly local businesses and organizations for the purposes of education, career development and networking.


WHEN: Thursday, March 10th 2:00 – 8:00 pm

WHERE: Center for Community (C4C) 3rd Floor –Various Rooms

PRICE: FREE and open to the general public

Here's a schedule of events:

2:00-2:30pm Registration (Flatirons Room)

2:30-3:00pm Opening Session (Flatirons Room)

3:00-4:00pm Breakout Session 1

Out in the Workplace panel, Abrams Lounge

Self-Care During the Job Search, S350

4:15-5:15pm Breakout Sessions 2

Career Basics, N215

Social Justice panel, Abrams Lounge

Gender Identity and Expression, S350

5:30-6:30pm Keynote Speaker, Kirk Snyder (Abrams Lounge)

6:30-8:00pm Reception & Networking, (Abrams Lounge)

Several GLBTQ friendly local businesses that will be in attendance includes: Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Accenture.

To find more information about this event please visit the Career Services website and log into your CSO account and search the “Career Events” tab at the top of the screen.

Online Networking

     It is no secret that networking is a major part of the corporate world; however, the concept of online networking is new to many people. There are many avenues towards online professional networking including:

1. Facebook

2. Twitter

3. Blogs

4. Personal Websites

However, one of the biggest online networking sites is LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a social network created precisely for professional networking. LinkedIn has 60 million professional contacts on the website and is growing. The site aids in creating a professional online brand for yourself, while creating professional networking contacts and collaborating information about a variety of companies.

The first step in becoming a member of LinkedIn is to sign up and create a profile. The type of profile you want to establish for LinkedIn should always be PROFESSIONAL. The following are some tips to get started creating a professionally recognized LinkedIn Profile.

1. Display a professional photo


2. Create a Smart Headline

• 1. Example…
• a. Recent Ohio State Grad Seeking Online Marketing Position

3. Write a keyword-rich summary

1. Concise
2. Specific
3. Keyword Rich
4. Typo Free

4. Collect recommendations!

• They look really good to employers
• Ask professors, internship supervisors, boss, etc.

5. Tie LinkedIn to your other online networks

• Add to email signature line
• Twitter
• Blog
• Personal Website

6. Don’t miss LinkedIn Applications

• Include presentations, documents, etc. using apps.
• Make sure you download a PDF version of your Resume to include in your profile. This makes it much easier for your networking contacts to get your information.

LinkedIn is just one way to networking. There are a variety of different networking techniques you can learn via in person, on paper, and online. To learn more about networking and practice your networking skills come to the following upcoming Career Services Events….

UPCOMING NETWORKING EVENTS…

Annual Networking Night - Wednesday, March 2nd 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in Abrams Lounge 3rd Floor – C4C.

This event is designed to give you a real taste of business networking and improve your networking skills. Learn how to start a conversation and break the ice with industry professionals. Up to 45 business representatives will be there to talk with you and exchange cards. This is not the time to focus on a job hunt - the conversation should be more "meet and leave a good impression." Let the company representatives bring up specific job opportunities. Your focus should be on asking honest questions about them and their company. We will have a bartender on duty making non-alcoholic bloody marys, margaritas, tonic drinks, etc. and we will have traditional hors d’oeuvres. The event will be Wednesday March 2, 2011 from 5:30-7:00 pm. Business or Business casual attire REQUIRED. NO: flip flops, jeans, t-shirts, shorts or tennis shoes. YES: Sport coats, dresses, skirts and/or suits and of course your own business cards.

Linkin’it up: Thur, March 31, 6:30-8pm, C4C, S350 - How to Market Yourself through Social Networking

In light of our ever changing technological society, the Peer Career Advisors will facilitate an innovative workshop to share resources and opportunities to market yourself using social media. The workshop will focus on the primary social media tools and how to incorporate a professional edge when using these sites. The first half of the workshop will review best practices for Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and personal/professional websites to further your knowledge on the sites and how to use them to attract employers. The second half of the program will focus on LinkedIn with a demonstration and thorough review of the website and its benefits for students. LinkedIn is a primary professional networking sites and is extremely useful and easy to use. Linkin’it up is a great way to keep up with new digital media and learn how to adequately market yourself in a professional manner! Participants are encouraged to bring their laptops to follow along for a hands-on learning experience.

Find more information about these events on our website!

CAREER SERVICES BLOG CONTEST…

For the chance to win a Target Gift Card “follow us” under the Followers box on the right hand side of the screen….winner will be drawn on Thursday, March 3 at 5pm!