LinkedIn’s traveling #RockMyProfile networking event brought together working ASU alumni, headshot photographers and “speed-recruiting” training from local companies at the A.E. England Building on Wednesday.
ASU alumni and LinkedIn employee Rob Humphrey moderated the panel conversation about the aspects of online networking. Panelists shared advice about their career fields and their own overlooked opportunities.
Lindsay McClure from the Greater Phoenix Economic Council stressed the importance of taking initiative and going out of your way to meet people in your field.
“Networking is probably one of the most important tools that you will find,” McClure said.
According to ASU alumnus Joseph Grossman from the Arizona governor’s office, the experience gained from your first few positions is more beneficial than what the compensation might be. Grossman is the former president of Undergraduate Student Government Downtown.
“Be willing to work very hard for little money,” Grossman said.
Chelsea Lauridson from BDS Marketing offered suggestions for building a LinkedIn profile.
“Take the time, upload your projects,” she said. “Make it quality and share it.”
Tanya MacDonald from investment management company Vanguard expressed how networking through LinkedIn helped her career. MacDonald said she “would not have even known about Vanguard if it weren’t for my connections through LinkedIn.”
A broad spectrum of career fields were represented through speed-recruiting stations, which hosted representatives from Banner Health, Boston Scientific, Salt River Project, Goodwill, Groupon, Teach for America and TEK Systems. These companies hosted individual conversations with ASU students seeking employment.
Andrew Niemann, a junior biochemistry major, appreciated the open discussions that he was able to have with the different companies.
“Meeting with the Banner Health recruiter was the most important part,” Niemann said.
Panelists also touched on LinkedIn profile tips, such as uploading a profile photo to let employers connect a face to your name.
Other advice included paying attention to the details on your profile and sending connection invites to potential employers in your desired field.
Contact the reporter at brianna.bradley@asu.edu.
