Building Virtual Corporate Connections

With our Corporate Liaison, Olivia Mannion

by Olivia Mannion '21

Before entering college, I used to think of LinkedIn as “Facebook for my parents. ” Four years later, however, I now understand that couldn’t be farther from the truth. LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools for finding a job or internship in the professional world. I’m still no expert on LinkedIn, but I would love to share a few of my favorite tips for standing out amongst the crowd!

1) Take advantage of SCU alumni!

You would be surprised to learn how many SCU alumni are working at some of the top companies in not only the Bay Area but all over the world. My tip for networking with an alumni working at your dream company is to search the company, click “People”, and then type in the name of your university. You can also go to the Santa Clara University LinkedIn page, click “Alumni,” and search the company as well. Broncos love to help out their fellow broncos!

2) Upgrade your profile!

It’s important to think about your profile as your professional brand. Because of this, many people don’t understand the

importance of having an appropriate profile photo and an informative but punchy profile headline. I also don’t think students take enough advantage of the Summary statement. This section is the main place for you to stand out! It’s important to be concise about your experience, qualifications, and goals, while showing a bit of your personality.

3) Build a strong network!

I recently read a book that explained the “power of weak ties” in finding an internship/job and I couldn’t agree more. Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone that you may not know very well because they can be far more valuable! It’s important to understand, however, that it’s important to maintain these connections by continually checking in -afterall, networking is a two way street, not just a transactional relationship.

4) Claim your unique LinkedIn URL

This tip is rather technical, but instead of having LinkedIn come up with a random URL for you, you can create your own unique URL instead. For example, my URL is www.linkedin.com/in/oliviamannion. This makes it easier for people to search for you online.

5) Share your work!

LinkedIn now allows you to share real examples of your work, which you can add to a specific experience or your Summary statement. Adding examples of your work can make your profile more visual and interesting and shows employers actual proof of the amazing work you can produce.