LinkedIn is one of the best ways to build your network, research basic company stats, and identify jobs beyond your on-campus search. Every Wednesday at 1pm Central LinkedIn hosts "LinkedIn 101: The basics of LinkedIn: Your Profile, Joining Groups, Settings, Search and more."
I highly recommend this webinar for MBA in the USA readers. Here's a link to register. If you can't make the webinar, here are the top 5 lessons I took away:
Advanced Search is key. You can find it at the top right of your profile page. Use it to search for people with job titles that interest you, area codes where you want to live, and even specific industry experience.
Once you identify contacts you would like to impress, join groups they are a part of and make meaningful contributions.
Company pages provide basic company statistics, identify connections in your network, and allow you to apply for immediate openings.
Company pages can also help expand your target list by showing you where employees at the company most often come from and where they go when they leave.
The open link circle icon means anyone can contact that person at no cost. Keep that in mind when you're budgeting your in-mail.
If you can make the webinar, please share your key lessons in the comments. I can't wait to hear what you learned!
There's a saying in the US, "Would you rather be a big fish in a small pond, or a small fish in a big pond?" It's a fundamental question to how you like to work. Which organizational structure is going to help you thrive?
In the U.S., diversity typically equates to race and gender. Some people broaden the definition to include age now that we have four generations in the workplace. I would argue enlightened companies also include global diversity. They seek out candidates with diverse national backgrounds to bring new perspectives and ways of doing business to light.
This list is not just for the ladies. Highlighting benefits like flex-time and on-site childcare applies to anyone seeking balance between their work life and personal life. As you're surveying the landscape for your U.S. job search, which companies on the Working Mother 100 Best Companies list fit with your values? Is there overlap with the Fortune list highlighted last week? If so, shift those companies to a higher position on your target list.
I've heard stories about people new to the U.S. being amazed by the number of choices we have. From choosing a toothpaste to choosing a job, the vast number of options can leave you feeling overwhelmed and even frozen. That's why I advise students to begin with lists. Lists bring order to chaos, and help define the right path for you.
As you're beginning your job search process, check out Fortune magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For. Get to know the companies on the list, and determine which ones fit with your workplace values. How many make your list?
As you're reading and getting advice on turning your MBA internship into an offer, I'm sure everyone always tells you to network. OK, understood, but how do you even begin?
Small talk is a great way to start building relationships, and is something relatively unique to US culture. One of my friends from Ghana told me making small talk was one of the most difficult parts of her job search, and she is one of the most capable professionals I've ever met!
