LINKEDIN: STUDENT AND ALUMNI PROFILES
To leverage the power of LinkedIn, Otago MBA students and alumni are encouraged to build a solid professional profile and presence. According to LinkedIn, a completed profile provides a 40% greater chance for networking success. To achieve a powerful and complete profile: 1. Upload a professional image. A professional photo is taken of Otago MBA students during the year which can be used for this purpose. 2. Create a compelling headline. Otago MBA office staff use their full role title in this field. Examples for current students might be Otago MBA Student in New Zealand or Otago MBA 36 Student. 3. List current positions and at least two past positions. Students can say they are an MBA Student at Otago MBA in the Experience section to link their profile to the Otago MBA company profile. 4. Graduates can list their MBA Business Project in the experience section by including the client organisation in the role title. For example, Consultant for Port Otago at Otago MBA. This will link their profile to the Otago MBA company profile and introduce their Project experience without claiming employment, and does not duplicate information from the Education section. 5. Complete the Summary section. This allows you to describe who you are and how you help people. Either right in third person or at least avoid using “I” too frequently. 6. Enter any specialties. This will help a profile to appear in search results. 7. Enter interests and groups and associations. These provide a way to link to other users with shared interests. 8. Give recommendations first. In order to receive recommendations, they should first be given. Recommendations are a great way for profile visitors to get a feel for a person. Three recommendations are needed in order for LinkedIn to label your profile as complete. 9. Edit public profile URLs to make them more shareable. 10. Make profiles visible in full, to everyone. Tips
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Connect with everyone to increase your network
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Make every interaction personal, delete generic text from invitations.
References Rosenberg, C., Director LinkedIn Australia and New Zealand. (November 2010). Presentation notes: How to get the most from LinkedIn. Social Media Junction 2. Auckland. Hussain, A. & Turner, J. (October 2011). How to use LinkedIn for Business: A beginner’s Guide. Hubspot.com.