### Digital Profiles

An online profile is a nearly standard component of professional job seeking and networking. LinkedIn is a networking website used by people from nearly every profession. It combines elements of résumés and portfolios with social media. Users can view, connect, communicate, post events and articles, comment, and recommend others. Employers can recruit, post jobs, and process applications. Alternatives include Jobcase, AngelList, Hired, and Nexxt. These varying sites work in similar ways, with some unique features or practices. Some professions or industries have specific LinkedIn groups or subnetworks. Other professions or industries may have their own networking sites, to be used instead of or in addition to LinkedIn. Industry, for example, is a networking site specifically for culinary and hospitality workers. As a college student, it might be a great idea to have a LinkedIn or related profile. It can help you make connections in a prospective field and provide access to publications and posts on topics that interest you. Before you join and develop a public professional profile, however, keep the following in mind:

- • professional. Write up your profile information, any summary, and job/education • professional. Write up your profile information, any summary, and job/education experience separately, check for spelling and other errors, and have someone review before posting. Be sure to be completely honest and accurate.
- • profile isn't a contest. As a college student, you may only have two or three items • profile isn't a contest. As a college student, you may only have two or three items to include on your profile. That's okay. Overly long LinkedIn profiles- like overly long resumes -aren't effective anyway, and a college student's can be brief.
- • relevant experience and information as you attain it. Post internships, summer • relevant experience and information as you attain it. Post internships, summer jobs, awards, or work- study experiences as you attain them. Don't list every club or organization you're in if it doesn't pertain to the professional field, but include some, especially if you become head of a club or hold a competitive position, such as president or member of a performance group or sports team.
- • 'overconnect.' As you meet and work with people relevant to your career, it is • 'overconnect.' As you meet and work with people relevant to your career, it is appropriate to connect with them through LinkedIn by adding a personal note on the invite message. But don't send connection invites to people with whomyou have no relationship, or to too many people overall. Even alumni from your own school might be reluctant to connect with you unless you know them relatively well.
- • networking is not the same as social media. While LinkedIn has a very • networking is not the same as social media. While LinkedIn has a very strong social media component, users are often annoyed by too much nonprofessional sharing (such as vacation/child pictures); aggressive commenting or arguing via comments is also frowned upon. As a student, you probably shouldn' t be commenting or posting too much at all. Use LinkedIn as a place to observe and learn. And in terms of your profile itself, keep it professional, not personal.
- • is not a replacement for a real resume. • is not a replacement for a real resume.

There's no need to rush to build and post an online professional profile- certainly not in your freshman year. But when the time is right, it can be a useful resource for you and future employers.