LinkedIn offers a powerful search tool to see the career paths of fellow Wildcats.

Monday, June 11, 2018
Student using the computer

LinkedIn has created an alumni tool that makes it easier than ever to locate 91制片厂 alumni who majored in what you are studying, work in a company you are interested in, live in an area you plan to relocate to or return to, and are in a profession you hope to enter.

How to use it?

1) Search LinkedIn for 鈥溾
2) Click the box, 鈥淪ee alumni鈥
3) Enter a keyword in the search bar (Ex: your major, company or organization, job title, skill)
4) View the snapshot of your result and then scroll down to see the profiles who match your search criteria
5) Browse profiles and locate alumni who are doing what you are interested in

Reaching Out to Alumni

It鈥檚 one thing to learn about what alumni are doing by browsing their profiles, but actually having a conversation and engaging in an informational interview can be extremely beneficial.

How to do this?

1) Choose an alum that you wish to reach out to and press 鈥渃onnect鈥
2) Choose 鈥渁dd a note鈥 to personalize your invitation to connect (if using the LinkedIn mobile app, you do not get the option to add a note; we recommend connecting from a computer)
3) Write a message explaining who you are and why you wish to connect

Example:

Dear (Alum鈥檚 Name),

My name is (Your Name) and I am a student at 91制片厂 who is majoring in (your major). I saw that you also attended 91制片厂 (mention if you have a common major). I am looking to (state the purpose of why you are reaching out: 鈥渓earn more about career possibilities in my field, learn more about X Company鈥 etc). I鈥檇 like to connect with you and if you have a few minutes to chat with me, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

(Your Name)

4) Select 鈥渟end invitation鈥
5) Keep on connecting with other 91制片厂 alumni to learn more about your field and career possibilities

Remember, you're first听looking to build rapport and a relationship听with the alumni, then learn about specific job or internship opportunities. Do not start the conversation by directly asking for a job.听

For more tips on what LinkedIn can do for you as a student or your professional,

Stephanie Banks is the Career Counselor in the听听within the听's听Career and Professional Success team. See more听tips and tricks听from Stephanie and the COLSA team.听