LinkedIn is the leading professional network on the web, enabling you to:

• Connect with classmates, faculty, and family professionally
• Find new opportunities for internships and full time positions
• Manage what potential employers learn about you from the Internet (learn.linkedin.com)

To get started follow these steps:

1. Start with this video tutorial: http://learn.linkedin.com/students/step-1/.
2. Use this checklist to develop your profile to 100% completeness: http://careerservices.linkedin.com/Build-A-Professional-Profile.pdf.
3. Join the UNCG Career Services Center group to interact with Employers and Alumni. (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3114870)
4. Begin to connect with people and follow the LinkedIn etiquette guide: http://careerservices.linkedin.com/LinkedIn-Etiquette-Guide.pdf. Only invite people whom you have met in person (like your career counselor); include a note mentioning how you met (or were introduced) in the invitation.
5. Make your profile public to increase the chance of appearing in search engine results.
6. Add examples of your work to your profile.
7. Create your own profile name – www.linkedin.com/in/johnnyexample.
8. Use your profile link on professional marketing tools such as a resume or business card.
9. Join groups relevant to your career interests and comment and post to the groups regularly.
10. Follow companies you may want to work with in the future. Many post job openings on LinkedIn.
11. Regularly check your LinkedIn account for invitations, messages and the job search feature.

Facebook is a social networking website. It allows users to interact using status updates, biographical information, and photos. Typically users connect with people whom they have met in real life.

Ways to use Facebook in your job search: 

• Never assume anything is private, no matter how tightly you set your privacy options. Post all information as though an interviewer might see your profile and status updates.
• Use a professional photo. (To maximize your “name brand” use the same photo for LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.)
• Every section of your profile can be used as a way to state your skills and professional goals.
• Delete irrelevant applications and add business applications.You can also link your Facebook page to your LinkedIn profile.
• Monitor your friends’ comments. It will show up in your newsfeed and can reflect poorly on you.
• Post status updates about your job search. Someone on your friends list may be able to connect you with the organization in which you are interested.
• “Like” the UNCG Career Services Center to find out about events and employers who will be visiting campus.

Twitter is a website which allows for immediate, 140 character updates to be sent out to “followers” via the website and/or cell phone. Many people use Twitter to follow companies of interest. Unlike Facebook, it is acceptable to follow someone you have never met.

Ways to use Twitter in your job search: 

• Use your real name as your username and in your profile. Use your bio as a job pitch, and you can even link to an online resume (if you have one).
• Share useful content before you begin following others, this way they have a reason to follow you back.
• Follow your target companies and industry leaders.
• Integrate Twitter updates with Facebook and LinkedIn profiles.
• Find hashtags for upcoming conferences, hot topics, and more to become a part of the conversation as well as identify people that you should follow on Twitter.
• Put yourself in the Twitter stream by describing your specific skill set. Retweet and interact with others to boost your profile.
• Create a “Twitter pitch” much like an elevator speech. Be ready with a pitch you can deliver in 140 characters or less.
• Follow @UNCGCareer to find out about events and employers who will be visiting campus.

YouTube is an online video tool. It can be used to professionally present yourself or your works through video. In less than a minute, you can share your professional experience, skills, education and works. Research your field to know if a video resume will work for you.

How to use YouTube in your job search:

• Include your name in your video link and it can increase your chances of having your video link appear in search engine results.
• Create a “video resume” and direct employers to your video for a glimpse of what you have to offer. 
• Many employers are seeking individuals with social media skills, and this is a great way to show that you have this set of skills.
• Use your video link on professional marketing tools such as a resume or business card.

A blog is a personal website that can be used to convey text, images, and information in a public format. Some bloggers intend to make money from their site while others use it as a personal journal; most blogs center on a subject in which the writer has expertise and have an intended audience.

How to use blogging in a job search:

• Start a blog that relates to work within your field.
• Update it frequently by writing about topics and posting articles.
• Communicate professionally and respond to readers’ comments.
• Read other bloggers within your industry and comment on their posts.
• Remember that employers do research on their candidates, so keep everything you put online professional.

Like us on Facebook: UNCG Career Services Center
Follow us on Twitter: @UNCGCareer
Join our LinkedIn Group: UNCG Career Services Center