If you’re new to LinkedIn take a look at this promotional video to show how it can be used:

Below are 5 tips to think about when beginning to create an account on LinkedIn. Most importantly however, remember that LinkedIn is only one small part of the search for employment. Whilst it can be extremely useful for certain areas such as networking and company research, you still have to make it work for you.

1. Photo

Lovely shot in your bikini from your summer holiday? No.
A selfie using the bathroom mirror? No.
Dressed up as a Smurf on a Freshers’ Week bar crawl? No!

LinkedIn is not Facebook and should not be treated like it (and if you’re searching for work you should think about how your Facebook would look to employers as well!). A smart, clear and simple photo is want you want here. A friendly and approachable face is a bonus. This is a chance for you to humanize your profile.

Have a look at some other profile photos and think about what impression they give of the person. Are they too casual, look too stern or seem unprofessional? Also consider what sector you want to work in. A white shirt, tie and jacket might be appropriate when looking for a job in finance, but something a bit more casual might be better when looking for a job in media. Think about the impression you want to give, or your ‘brand’!

2. Headline and Summary

This is often an overlooked aspect of a LinkedIn profile. Your headline automatically puts your current position as your headline e.g. Undergraduate Student at Durham University, but this is customisable!

As a student, the automatic headline tells potential employers nothing about what you want to do! A much better way of using your headline as a current student would be to say what you are studying and what kind of employment you are looking for.  See below for a good example:

Final year Politics student at Durham University, aspiring to work in Third Sector

Your summary should expand on this and really tell a story about who you are, and where you want to go with your career. Make it simple and appealing but you can also try and include some potential keywords that will help your profile show up when employers are searching!

3. Education

As you’re probably a current student, or a recent graduate you might not have that much work experience. Employers will understand this but it does mean that you need to really make the most of your education.  Mention any modules relevant to the area you want to work in, talk about any projects you are working on or give a brief description of the your dissertation.

4. Experience

Make the most of any extracurricular activities you have done at Uni. You should almost treat these like employment, by talking about what you have achieved in each role, and what skills you developed. Remember to use the STAR format for talking about achievements (Situation, Task, Action and Result). If you managed a society budget you should say, but also try and say how you achieved something such as securing an increase in the grant, or implementing a new expenses system.

The skills that employers are often looking for in graduates have often been developed in extracurricular activities so try and ensure your making this explicit. Think about communication, problem solving, commercial awareness, teamwork, drive etc.

5. Recommendations

These are a great way of showing employers that you are successful at what you do and that someone is willing to go as far as to recommend you. Think about asking your academic advisor, college tutor or anyone who you have worked with whilst at University. You can even ask fellow students you worked with on your course or in an extracurricular activity.

Check out the LinkedIn page for students. It has some great resources for you to look as such as profile checklists and how to search for opportunities as well: http://university.linkedin.com/linkedin-for-students.html?trk=micro-mktg-stu-uk-more

Adzuna are looking to find the Graduate of the Year 2014. The competition, open to all recent graduates, seeks to reward the brightest and best grads from recognised universities. So, whether you’re the captain, a budding entrepreneur or simply at the top of your class, we want to hear from YOU! As well as the illustrious crown of “Graduate of the Year”, the winner will receive:

– A £1,000 cash prize

– An internship with a top UK company including Sony, Google, eBay and L’Oréal

– A CV clinic with a top UK entrepreneur

To enter, applicants must answer a few simple questions about themselves and what makes them special. Finalists will be determined by voting; the winner will be chosen from the finalists by a panel of judges. Entries must be submitted by the 22nd of August 2014 and the winner will be crowned on the 22nd of September 2014. For more details and to enter the competition online now visit http://www.adzuna.co.uk/graduate-of-the-year.html

Read all about last year’s winner Caleb Meakins of Loughborough University here.

Good luck!

Also, congratulations to all the finalists of the Blueprint Enterprise Challenge, and particularly to Beardbase, this year’s winner.

Making your CV stand out
Identifying your Career Anchors
Leadership Skills
Developing an Effective Strategy for Employment
Creative and Innovative Interview techniques
What are employers looking for?
Working Effectively in a Group
Great jobs with a 2:2
CV/application drop-in
Practice Interviews

And two sessions for Postgraduate taught students: Making the Most of your Masters.

Website

After exams you will have the opportunity to focus on your longer term future, with a series of sessions run by the Careers Centre and graduate employers.

These sessions (including workshops, mock interviews, CV drop-ins) are now ready to book onto. Visit the Focus on your Future webpage to view a list of sessions and reserve your place.

A series of specially designed sessions led by leading employers and Careers Centre staff that will help you to focus on your future career. Many of these employer-led sessions will give you an insight into the recruitment process and a chance to practice for its various stages. Other sessions led by Careers Centre staff will help you to work out what you want from a career, and how to go about achieving it.

Amongst many things you can…
•Improve and update your CV
•Learn to sell you skills at interviews
•Attend a realistic practice interview and receive feedback
•Experience an assessment centre exercise
•Gain employer insight into the working environment
•Find out exactly what skills employers are looking for

More details to follow soon…

Take every opportunity you can to develop these skills at university so you can impress your potential future employer. Keep a record of as many examples you can think of that show your innovative flair.

This was just one of many top tips given by IBM in their mock assessment centre workshop here at Durham last week.

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/feb/04/skills-graduates-need-students-employability