LinkedIn: Should I, or Shouldn’t I?

by Susanne Aronowitz
Associate Dean for Law Career Services

Are you wondering whether you should have a LinkedIn profile? Do you have one and can’t figure out what to do with it?

Creating a presence on LinkedIn can be an effective way to present your professional persona, solidify your professional network, and identify other professionals with whom you share interests.

LinkedIn is a tool, not a magic wand; it will only be as effective as you make it. Here are some simple tips for getting the most out of LinkedIn:

1. Have a well-written profile that communicates your skills and expertise. Craft a headline that reflects your area of interest or career ambition.
2. Include a photograph of you dressed in professional attire.
3. When sending invitations to connect on LinkedIn, do not rely on the generic, system-generated messages. Instead, include a brief, personalized note in your invitations.
4. Visit LinkedIn’s alumni page at www.linkedin.com/alumni to locate graduates from GGU and your undergraduate school.
5. Scan your network updates, and send email messages to colleagues when they get new jobs and share new accomplishments.
6. Join groups on LinkedIn that match your professional interests. Consider posting articles and discussion questions to your groups.
7. Join the “Golden Gate University Law” group to find GGU grads interested in networking.
8. Search the profiles of people in your LinkedIn groups to get ideas on key words to incorporate into your own profile. Explore the groups that they belong to and consider joining them, too.

For personal guidance on getting the most out of LinkedIn, GGU law students and alumni can schedule an appointment with me by contacting Law Career Services. I also encourage you to review the helpful tips in this additional blogpost and NALP’s LinkedIn E-guide.