Using LinkedIn for Your Internship or Job Search

Join groups that are of professional interest to you so you can begin to connect with others in similar fields. These can be university alumni groups, clubs and associations, or industry-specific groups. Most importantly, join groups that will allow you to connect with people working in your field or industry.

Do not confuse “Groups” with “Companies.” All companies and businesses are found on the company page, which will be explained in the next section. Groups could be affiliated with the company, but are separate. For example, InterExchange Career Training USA has several groups to join (one for alumni, another for employers, etc.), but we also have a company page that you can follow. The company page is also where you can view information about that company, such as job or internship openings!

Some groups require authentication. Keep in mind that, after you request to join a group, they may need to authenticate or approve you. In other words, they want to ensure that the group is right for you. For example, InterExchange authenticates those who request to join the Alumni Group, to verify that the person actually participated in the program. Many groups, though, are open to anyone!

But don’t just join and forget; remember to monitor group activity. What are people talking about? What are the buzzwords and hot topics in your chosen field or industry? Do you have anything to contribute? Many group members will post openings that they think are relevant to the group; check the group often! Feel free to add a comment or generate a discussion of your own if you have something relevant to say, but make sure not to post things that are only relevant to you and don’t contribute to the dialogue, such as “Can anyone get me a job?” To be a successful networker, you need to have a relationship with a person before you inquire about opportunities.

Most importantly – make connections! Connect with people who are discussing topics that are related to your field or industry. Do any of these people work at companies where you would want to pursue employment? Build relationships with new connections. Don’t just invite them to connect — start a conversation and try to network. They may have valuable information about the industry or you may have things in common. Do you know any of the same people?