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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PAGE 22
TECHNOLOGY
LinkedIn connects students, future employers
ALEX LAMB entertain@kansan.com
Between seventh and 10th grade, most of us realized the social importance of having a Facebook, so we created profiles on the site. Now, between beginning college and entering the job market, comes the realization of LinkedIn's importance as a tool for the professional world.
A LinkedIn profile essentially serves as your online resume. In addition to what's normally on your CV, like previous jobs and experiences, you also need a professional profile picture and a succinct description of your expertise. Then you can choose accurate keywords for the
"skills and endorsements" section that showcase the breadth of your talent.
"After all three Cerner interviews I sent the interviewer a thank you message and added them on Linkedln."
MARIA SMITHSON KU graduate
Once you've setup your profile, start connecting with colleagues and friends. These people
can endorse your skill set and potentially become resources for you. You can also join groups to connect with professionals with similar interests and in the same field as you.
his interests and in his brooks Sargent, a sophomore from Prairie Village, uses the site to connect with those he has interacted with in academia.
"By connecting through LinkedIn I'm able to draw upon that interaction for academic/professional information or in the future maybe a job opportunity," Sargent said.
job opportunity. Dug out Companies also post job listings on LinkedIn, so you can search and apply for specific jobs online. Make sure your profile is clean and complete before applying for anything though, as employers will judge candidates based on
their profiles as well as their applications.
maint introduces as well as their applications. LinkedIn can also assist in making an applicant stand out after a job interview.Maria Smithson, a 2013 University graduate from Stilwell, used the site to help secure a job at the Cerner Corporation.
"After all three Cerner interviews I sent the interviewer a thank you message and added them on LinkedIn," Smithson said. "Companies want to know that you will go the extra mile and follow up. LinkedIn allowed me to do that."
Edited by Kaitlyn Klein
PROFESSIONALISM
Customized cover letters strengthen job applications
MAGGIE ROSSITER
entertain@kansan.com
How do you sum up your skills, past experiences and creativity in one page for a future employer? The cover letter. According to the KU Career Center, the purpose of a cover letter is to motivate the employer to invite you to an interview.
Journalism professor and career development coordinator Patty Noland agrees. She said the cover letter is the document that will get you the interview. She breaks down the letter into four parts:
1. THE ADDRESS AND INTRODUCTION (2-3 SENTENCES)
Always address the letter to the name provided in the job listing and if you cannot find that name, address it: "Dear hiring manager." After the address is the introduction of yourself — your name, when and where you graduated and your major.
An article in U.S. News by Robin Reshaw says that if you have a connection with someone at the company you should address the connection in your opening sentences.
2. CUSTOMIZE YOURSELF TO THE COMPANY (3-4 SENTENCES)
This is where you talk about why you like the company. Noland says this part is where people tend to make the biggest mistake because a cover letter should be less about yourself and more about the company.
"You need to make sure you show interest in
the company and show them what it is about the company that appeals to you," Noland says.
3. WHY ARE YOU AN ASSET TO THE COMPANY? (3-4 SENTENCES)
The third part is about yourself and why you would be a good asset to the company. Highlight the best and most applicable parts of your resume in this section and keep it to about four sentences.
4. THE SALUTATION AND FOLLOW-UP (1-2 SENTENCES)
The final part is the salutation. Thank the company for its consideration and say that you will contact them within the next week.
Noland says that following up with the company to make sure they have received your application is crucial and shows initiative.
For more tips on how to write the perfect cover letter, the University Career Center has numerous resources explaining how to write a cover letter and other guides for entering the job market.
— Edited by Blair Sheade
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