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In addition to changing the ways in which people read, write, and gather information, the Digital Age has changed the job market. A number of online resume sites like [[Visual CV]] have arisen in the Digital Age, creating an opportunity for employees and employers to connect via the Internet.
[[File:LinkedIn.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The official LinkedIn logo. ©LinkedIn]]
 
[[Web_Based_Digital_Media_for_College_Writing_Students|Home]]
 
In addition to changing the ways in which people read, write, and gather information, the Digital Age has changed the job market. A number of online resume sites like LinkedIn have arisen in the Digital Age, creating an opportunity for employees and employers to connect via the Internet.
 
Hannah Morgan comments on the value of using LinkedIn. She says, "Reaching far beyond the capacity of just a website for resumes, LinkedIn serves as a platform where people can communicate on a social and professional level, advancing their interests and opportunities in the process.<ref>Morgan, Hannah. "8 Ways to Amp Up Your Career Using LinkedIn." [http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/11/14/8-ways-to-amp-up-your-career-using-linkedin US News.], 14 Nov 2012. Web. 14 Nov 2012.</ref>
 
While it may seem unnecessary for a college student to use LinkedIn, it is important to begin obtaining information about various industries so that upon graduation, the student will be ready to enter the field of his or her choice. Demonstrating an understanding of an industry increases the chances of getting hired. The job market is increasingly competitive and, when armed with knowledge of a desired industry, a student is more likely to get the job desired.


==Job Hunting in the Digital Age==
==Job Hunting in the Digital Age==
Creating a professional image that blends with the personal is one of the major advantages that the online networking site [http://www.linkedin.com LinkedIn]has to offer. Through LinkedIn, prospective and current employees can connect with each other, as well as with other people in their respective industries. This creates an opportunity to build a network, which is a vital part of obtaining and maintaining a successful career.
Creating a professional image that blends with the personal image is one of the major advantages that the online networking site [http://www.linkedin.com LinkedIn] has to offer. Through LinkedIn, prospective and current employers and their employees can connect with each other. This creates an opportunity to build a network, which is a vital part of obtaining and maintaining a successful career.


==Professional and Social Connectivity==
==Professional and Social Connectivity==
According to Seth Fiegerman<ref>[http://www.mashable.com Mashable]</ref>, "The social network for professionals has been growing at a rate of 10-15 million users per quarter.As of November, the site boasts over 187 million members. While this may seem like an overwhelming amount of users, LinkedIn can be seen as a close-knit online community when compared with the amount of users on Facebook and Twitter (over a billion each). Unlike other social media sites, LinkedIn has a targeted membership: professional individuals, or people who are ready to enter the professional job market.  
According to Seth Fiegerman,<ref> Fiegerman, Seth. "LinkedIn Now Has 187 Million Members." Mashable. [http://www.mashable.com Mashable], Inc., 1 Nov 2012. Web. 3 Nov 2012.</ref> "The social network for professionals has been growing at a rate of 10-15 million users per quarter."As of November, the site boasts over 187 million members. While this may seem like an overwhelming amount of users, LinkedIn is a close-knit online community when compared with the amount of users on Facebook and Twitter (over a billion each). Unlike other social media sites, LinkedIn has a targeted membership: professional individuals and people who are ready to enter the professional job market.  
===[http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=what_is_linkedin&trk=hb_what What is Linked In?]===
===[http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=what_is_linkedin&trk=hb_what What is Linked In?]<ref>"What is LinkedIn?" [http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=what_is_linkedin&trk=hb_what LinkedIn]. LinkedIn Corporation, Inc., nd, Web. 1 Nov 2012. </ref> ===
According to the LinkedIn<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com LinkedIn]</ref> page, creating an account gives the individual an opportunity to:
<center>[[File:Screenshot.png]]</center>
* "Re-connect [with] past and present colleagues and classmates."
<center>©LinkedIn Corporation</center>
* "Power your career" by discovering "inside connections when you're looking for a new job or business opportunity.
 
* "Get answers" by taking advantage of the "industry experts willing to share advice."
==Features==
===Contact Plug-In===
Reaching far beyond the capacity of just a website for resumes, LinkedIn serves as a platform where people can communicate on a social and professional level, advancing their interests and opportunities in the process.
LinkedIn bought Rapportive<ref> Boulton, Clint. "LinkedIn Buys Rapportive Gmail Contact Plug-In." [http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Messaging-and-Collaboration/LinkedIn-Buys-Rapportive-Gmail-Contact-Plugin-208870/ eweek.com.] QuinStreet Inc., 24 Feb 2012. Web. 3 Dec 2012.</ref>, a website that creates browser plug-ins that integrate social media contacts into Gmail in order to increase opportunities to make connections via LinkedIn.  Increasing connections increases a network and thus, increases the chance of getting a desirable job.
 
===Skills and Expertise===
With this tool, LinkedIn users are shown skills related to the ones entered in their profiles. This feature allows users to brush up on important skills they might not have. Taking advantage of this tool is wise and can be quite useful. In the competitive job market of the digital age, it is important to show mastery of all skills related to a field in order to increase chances of obtaining a job.
 
===Groups and Answers===
Employees can seek help in answering business questions by linking with other business associates with this feature. This tool is especially useful for newcomers to business, or for those who are just curious. It is easy to be intimidated in the work force by higher-ups and superiors, and this tool allows a new employee to potentially avoid bothering a supervisor with a question.
 
===Today’s News===
LinkedIn users have easy access to industry-related news. This is an important tool, because relevant information about the industry can be shared with co-workers and superiors. Being up-to-date on news and happenings in the industry shows that the employee is motivated, interested, and valuable.
 
===Influencers===
The “Influencers” section follows industry leaders. Demonstrating knowledge about important people in the industry shows initiative and shows that the employee cares enough about the industry to find out relevant information about industry leaders. If someone is genuinely attempting to succeed in the industry, it is vital to know who the leaders are because, one day, they could be working with those individuals.
===Endorsements===
Colleagues can assist each other by giving and receiving good recommendations. One of the major benefits of LinkedIn is that it helps build a network for a user. By giving good recommendations for colleagues, employees increase their chances of receiving good recommendations. This helps to build relationships with co-workers and associates.
 
===Resume Builder===
LinkedIn's newest feature, a resume builder, incorporates user's information into a resume format. The feature offers various resume styles that fit the user's skills, career field, and expertise. The benefits of a cohesive resume are outlined in [[VisualCV]].


==[http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/11/14/8-ways-to-amp-up-your-career-using-linkedin 8 Ways to Amp Up Your Career Using LinkedIn]==
In <ref>[http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/11/14/8-ways-to-amp-up-your-career-using-linkedin]8 Ways to Amp Up Your Career Using LinkedIn</ref>Hannah Morgan’s article, she outlines the ways in which LinkedIn can help jumpstart a career.
#The Skills and Expertise section of LinkedIn is a “real-time research tool.” When your skills are entered into the search box, the results show other related skills. Morgan says, “Do you have these too? If you're lacking some of them, it would be wise for you to schedule an informational meeting with someone in that occupation to learn how important your missing skills might be.”
#The Groups and Answers feature of LinkedIn help employees answer business questions. Morgan says, “The other way you can get answers to your work problems is to submit your question as a discussion in a related industry group. Belonging to groups is a great way to stay up on trends and issues impacting what you do.”
#LinkedIn has a “Today’s news” setting, wherein employees can read articles about what is going on in their industry. Morgan says, “Armed with current industry news, you can share it among your peers and connections.”
#Another LinkedIn feature, “Influencers,” follows key people in various industries. Morgan says, “Consider commenting on their updates to show your own thought-leadership.”
#The LinkedIn Open Networkers (LIONs) section allows users to connect with people they may not know. Morgan says, “Your connections should represent your real-life network. Grow your connections purposefully by inviting people you know first. When you reach out to people you would like to know, personalize the invitations you send and provide a reason for them to want to connect with you.”
#LinkedIn allows employees to stay connected with former co-workers, which builds a user's personal network.
#The Endorsements feature on LinkedIn, “allows you to endorse people in your network for their skills and expertise.” Colleagues can help each other by giving and receiving good recommendations.
#Finally, Morgan reminds readers of the long-term value of LinkedIn: “LinkedIn is a multifaceted tool; one that provides you the opportunity to create a positive self-image, keeps you connected, and helps you stay up-to-date on current trends.”
==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />
Fiegerman, Seth. "LinkedIn Now Has 187 Million Members." [http://www.mashable.com mashable]. Mashable, Inc., 1 Nov 2012. Web. 3 Nov 2012.
Morgan, Hannah. "8 Ways to Amp Up Your Career Using LinkedIn." [http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/11/14/8-ways-to-amp-up-your-career-using-linkedin US News]. U.S.News & World Report, 14 Nov 2012. Web. 14 Nov 2012.
"What is LinkedIn?" [http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=what_is_linkedin&trk=hb_what LinkedIn]. LinkedIn Corporation, Inc., nd, Web. 1 Nov 2012.

Latest revision as of 10:49, 5 December 2012

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The official LinkedIn logo. ©LinkedIn

Home

In addition to changing the ways in which people read, write, and gather information, the Digital Age has changed the job market. A number of online resume sites like LinkedIn have arisen in the Digital Age, creating an opportunity for employees and employers to connect via the Internet.

Hannah Morgan comments on the value of using LinkedIn. She says, "Reaching far beyond the capacity of just a website for resumes, LinkedIn serves as a platform where people can communicate on a social and professional level, advancing their interests and opportunities in the process.[1]

While it may seem unnecessary for a college student to use LinkedIn, it is important to begin obtaining information about various industries so that upon graduation, the student will be ready to enter the field of his or her choice. Demonstrating an understanding of an industry increases the chances of getting hired. The job market is increasingly competitive and, when armed with knowledge of a desired industry, a student is more likely to get the job desired.

Job Hunting in the Digital Age

Creating a professional image that blends with the personal image is one of the major advantages that the online networking site LinkedIn has to offer. Through LinkedIn, prospective and current employers and their employees can connect with each other. This creates an opportunity to build a network, which is a vital part of obtaining and maintaining a successful career.

Professional and Social Connectivity

According to Seth Fiegerman,[2] "The social network for professionals has been growing at a rate of 10-15 million users per quarter."As of November, the site boasts over 187 million members. While this may seem like an overwhelming amount of users, LinkedIn is a close-knit online community when compared with the amount of users on Facebook and Twitter (over a billion each). Unlike other social media sites, LinkedIn has a targeted membership: professional individuals and people who are ready to enter the professional job market.

What is Linked In?[3]

Screenshot.png
©LinkedIn Corporation

Features

Contact Plug-In

LinkedIn bought Rapportive[4], a website that creates browser plug-ins that integrate social media contacts into Gmail in order to increase opportunities to make connections via LinkedIn. Increasing connections increases a network and thus, increases the chance of getting a desirable job.

Skills and Expertise

With this tool, LinkedIn users are shown skills related to the ones entered in their profiles. This feature allows users to brush up on important skills they might not have. Taking advantage of this tool is wise and can be quite useful. In the competitive job market of the digital age, it is important to show mastery of all skills related to a field in order to increase chances of obtaining a job.

Groups and Answers

Employees can seek help in answering business questions by linking with other business associates with this feature. This tool is especially useful for newcomers to business, or for those who are just curious. It is easy to be intimidated in the work force by higher-ups and superiors, and this tool allows a new employee to potentially avoid bothering a supervisor with a question.

Today’s News

LinkedIn users have easy access to industry-related news. This is an important tool, because relevant information about the industry can be shared with co-workers and superiors. Being up-to-date on news and happenings in the industry shows that the employee is motivated, interested, and valuable.

Influencers

The “Influencers” section follows industry leaders. Demonstrating knowledge about important people in the industry shows initiative and shows that the employee cares enough about the industry to find out relevant information about industry leaders. If someone is genuinely attempting to succeed in the industry, it is vital to know who the leaders are because, one day, they could be working with those individuals.

Endorsements

Colleagues can assist each other by giving and receiving good recommendations. One of the major benefits of LinkedIn is that it helps build a network for a user. By giving good recommendations for colleagues, employees increase their chances of receiving good recommendations. This helps to build relationships with co-workers and associates.

Resume Builder

LinkedIn's newest feature, a resume builder, incorporates user's information into a resume format. The feature offers various resume styles that fit the user's skills, career field, and expertise. The benefits of a cohesive resume are outlined in VisualCV.

References

  1. Morgan, Hannah. "8 Ways to Amp Up Your Career Using LinkedIn." US News., 14 Nov 2012. Web. 14 Nov 2012.
  2. Fiegerman, Seth. "LinkedIn Now Has 187 Million Members." Mashable. Mashable, Inc., 1 Nov 2012. Web. 3 Nov 2012.
  3. "What is LinkedIn?" LinkedIn. LinkedIn Corporation, Inc., nd, Web. 1 Nov 2012.
  4. Boulton, Clint. "LinkedIn Buys Rapportive Gmail Contact Plug-In." eweek.com. QuinStreet Inc., 24 Feb 2012. Web. 3 Dec 2012.