<p>Can a few of you guys explain to me the importance of LinkedIn? I've been reading lately (in threads here at CC and elsewhere) that seeking out recruiters via LinkedIn is one of -- if not the -- most efficient way(s) to actually get responses (as opposed to just applying through companies' online applications).</p>
<p>I'm a rising senior hoping to get into the financial services industry (I-banking, asset/wealth management or consulting). Thankfully I have secured an internship this summer at a risk consulting firm and I'm taking the fall recruiting season VERY serious. I have already set up an Excel spreadsheet of companies I wish to apply to and alumni/contacts that I want to reach out to this summer.</p>
<p>So my additional questions are,</p>
<p>(1) I have had contact with recruiters for companies which I have gotten rejected last year during the summer internship search. Do you think it's appropriate (do you recommend) to shoot them an email telling them my summer plans and hopes to apply for full-time positions this fall? </p>
<p>(2) How should I integrate LinkedIn into my plans? I have created a dummy profile (I plan to fill in the actual information late August/first week of September -- I want to run the content and my resume through my career planning center first) and included the link on my resume (my resume is a rough draft and will not get sent out until it's read by the career planning center), so is that enough?</p>
<p>Any additional advice that you guys have for me?</p>
<p>I'm really passionate about getting into the financial services industry. I know it's no easy feat and requires hard work, networking and perseverance, but I'm confident that I WILL get there, I just need some guidance and help!</p>
<p>I’m 2 years out of school, and I can say that LinkedIn has been helpful to me in some but not all regards. I have around 500 connections and I use it to do some networking once in a while. I also get a lot of messages from recruiters with potential job opportunities.</p>
<p>When you say “recruiters” I assume you are referring to HR people at companies?</p>
<p>1) If you’re sending emails to HR, it’s pretty useless and more than likely your resume is just going to be tossed into the pile with everyone else. For the most part, HR only screens and keeps people out. If you can reach out and connect with potential managers and colleagues at the companies you want to work at, this is the fastest path to an interview. Alumni also help.</p>
<p>2) Write a brief profile (not a bio), fill in your courses, previous jobs, extracurriculars etc. Nothing special, just treat it like an interactive online resume. Also it’s ok to put future employment on LinkedIn.</p>
<p>In addition to linking to recruiters, LinkedIn is also a very good way to stay in touch with people you meet in any professional capacity. Link to anyone you met at an internship (other interns or employees/bosses), with older students who have already graduated and are working that you know, and anyone else who offers to help you in your jobs search (parents of roommates, anyone who grants you an informational interview, etc.). The power of LinkedIn isn’t just in today’s job search, it is in job searches for the next several years. As people move companies/change jobs, LinkedIn helps you stay connected with them.</p>
<p>I don’t think the OP means HR people. In some industries, like tech, there are TONS of people looking for talent. Companies who want to hire in those fields (either contract or full time employees) often go to recruiting firms for help. I am sure there are a more than 100 technical recruiting firms in the city I work in (city in the top 15 in size in the US).</p>
<p>It sounds like the OP has this nailed, but LinkedIn is for professional relationships. You should feel comfortable linking with people you have only met a couple of times in a professional context even if you would not “friend” them on Facebook. Make sure your LinkedIn site is professional in tone and appearance (don’t list your hobbies…) – it is about your credentials and experience.</p>
<p>Just be wary of recruiting firms. There are good ones and also very bad ones. I get on average 5 calls a week from them and have come across enough dishonest, rude, and inappropriate individuals that I have a very low opinion of the recruiting industry in general.</p>
<p>Thank you, haru07 and intparent, for your responses! Your responses give me a better sense of how to operate LinkedIn and effectively form relationships with alumni. </p>
<p>haru07 – When I say recruiters, I mean the individuals who recruit on campus and seek out talent to apply. Also, when I think about, I do agree with your point on emailing HR people. Thankfully my school gives us access to alumni in our desired fields so I hope to use that opportunity to get my foot in the door and form relationships. </p>
<p>intparent – Thank you for the clarification! I’m a bit new to LinkedIn but I see the amazing potential it has to work in your favor in scoring an offer.</p>
<p>Instead of waiting until August, I’ll just fill in the information that I do have – I agree with you both. </p>
<p>I highly recommend connecting with “headhunters” (recruiters that work in staffing agencies). I work in NYC and am connected on LinkedIn with tons of recruiters in the financial services industry. They have inside access to jobs that few others know about. Many times, a company will only go through a staffing agency for their hiring needs.</p>
<p>Yes, I often get calls from annoying headhunters, it’s part of the game. Be nice to them when they’re annoying, and they might be able to find you a great job a year or two from now.</p>
<p>I agree with the person above who compared LinkedIn and Facebook. I have far more LinkedIn connections than Facebook friends. On LinkedIn, I even have people from high school that I really didn’t like that much, and am not Facebook friends with them, but am still connected to them on LinkedIn. Reason why: you never know when someone important might browse through their contacts, see me, and then contact me. It’s happened many times before and led to many interesting job opportunities.</p>
<p>I’m connected to at least 100 financial services headhunters in NYC. I barely know any of them, but they’re always looking for good talent, and they never mind getting more resumes. Remember, they get paid if they find you a job, so they have a strong incentive to find you a job. If you want to message me in private, I’ll be glad to give you my LinkedIn info so that we can connect there.</p>
<p>Also, HR within a company can be helpful as well (though not as helpful as often as headhunters). A couple years ago, I connected with an internal HR/recruiter at a major international company that I wanted to work for, and told her I was interested in working for the firm. A few weeks later, she got me an interview for a good job. </p>
<p>Yes, it’s true that internal HR are often flooded with resumes and there’s a high chance that they’ll ignore you, but I definitely wouldn’t overlook them completely.</p>
<p>Thank you so much Cobra! Your post has been so helpful! I’m still getting the hang of LinkedIn but I definitely will take advantage of connections with headhunters. I look at it long term as well; you never know what the future may brings or when you may be in need of a job/career opportunity and who may have access to that type of information.</p>
<p>I would love to connect with you on LinkedIn. Unfortunately, I can’t send out any messages until I have 15 posts, so as soon as I get 15 posts I will certainly PM you.</p>