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You can use this simple checklist and guide to build and /or improve your LinkedIn profile.

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This article highlights some tried and true ways to network effectively and organically on LinkedIn. Build your profile --> Build your network --> Build your brand!

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LinkedIn is the world's largest online professional network, with over 700 million members from 55 million registered companies.

This means that you can use LinkedIn for, well, just about anything related to growing as a professional:

Connect with potential employers and get a new job.

Network with experts in your field and develop your skill-set.

Source and hire candidates for your firm.

Find a business partner for your next venture.

..And everything else in-between!

Nonetheless, this wide reach doesn't make connecting with people and networking on LinkedIn an easy process.

Truth is, using LinkedIn can be confusing, especially if you're just getting started.

After all, the platform doesn't come with a manual on how you can build a professional description, approach recruiters, gain followers, or foster your professional ties.

...But that's why we're here!

In this guide, we'll be going through 7+ best tips you can use to upgrade your LinkedIn profile, expand your professional connections, and network on LinkedIn like a pro.

You probably already have a LinkedIn account...

You might even have some connections as part of your network from your last job or university...

But that's far from everything you can do to take advantage of LinkedIn to build new connections and really take your career to the next level!

In fact, that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Here are the 7 essential tips you need to follow to become a LinkedIn networking expert:

#1: Complete Your Profile

If you haven't already, make sure your LinkedIn profile is completely filled out. Meaning, all the sections on your profile are filled in and there are no gaps and blank spaces.

Why? Because LinkedIn prioritizes complete profiles over empty ones.

So, if an employer looks up your job title, you're more likely to pop up on page #1 if your profile is completely filled out.

Even if this wasn't the case, having a half-filled LinkedIn profile is like having a half-page resume.

Anyone that visits your profile is going to think that you just don't have much to say about yourself professionally.

So, make sure to add the following sections to your LinkedIn profile:

A headline

A profile photo and background picture

A LinkedIn summary

Current job title

Your country and zip code

Work experience with relevant dates

Education section

Any volunteer work or other hobbies

At least 5 relevant skills

#2: Optimize Your Profile

Filling up your LinkedIn profile is only step #1. If, however, you want to stand out from thousands of other applicants on the platform, you also have to optimize it.

So, implement these tips when making your LinkedIn profile to build the best possible personal brand for yourself:

Add a Professional-Looking, Friendly Profile Picture

As a rule of thumb, pick a high-quality picture where you look neat and clean, smiling, and located near the camera. If possible, consider getting your professional headshot taken.

Add an Effective Headline

Your LinkedIn headline helps you do two main things: show up in recruiters' LinkedIn searches and show them what you're up to in an instant.

Here are some tips that'll help you pick the right headline keywords for your situation:

Find the exact jobs you're interested in. Go to LinkedIn's Job Board and filter your search by experience level, job type, geography, etc. Sift through the search results and choose a number of roles you're interested in.

Continue by looking for the words and phrases that appear most frequently across these headlines. These are the keywords that recruiters use to find possible candidates.

Use these keywords when creating your headline. So, for example, let's say you're searching for an entry-level job as a data scientist in Tech. Keywords for this position include Analytics, Business Intelligence, Data Science, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, Data Modeling, and Computer Science. Here's a potential LinkedIn headline you can use:

"Data Engineer actively looking for new opportunities in Analytics, Business Intelligence and Data Science."

Create a Comprehensive and Eye-Catching Summary.

Include your years of experience, most relevant skills (especially technical skills), your current job title, passions, and what job position you're looking for (in case you are).

Check out this example:

Optimize Your Work Experience

Most people don't think to include their work experience details on LinkedIn. Instead, they simply list their current and previous job titles.

Want to stand out?

You should fill out your work experience sections, just as you would on your resume.

Meaning, you can include job responsibilities, duties, accomplishments, and tangible results you've achieved for each position worked.

This is an example of how it's done (the right way):

#3: Get Endorsements

LinkedIn endorsements are a way for your colleagues and connections to attest to your expertise in a specific field or skill. So the more endorsements you get, the more credible your online profile looks.

But how does one get endorsements?

Well, the best way is through endorsing others. Start with your closest coworkers, friends, and family on LinkedIn, as they're most likely to return the favor. Do this by scrolling down to the 'Skills & endorsements' section on their profile, finding the specific skill you want to endorse them for, and pressing the "+" button next to it. It'll turn into a "✓."

Afterward, ask them to return the favor and endorse one of your skills or projects.

Another way to get endorsements is by directly asking for them. It doesn't have to be a long message, you can just send your connections a quick: "Hey, mind endorsing me for X project/skill?".

Make sure what you're asking to be endorsed is something they've seen you do, complete, or that appears on your LinkedIn profile, otherwise, this approach might not be too effective.

#4: Gather Connections from People You Know

There are many different ways to grow your LinkedIn network, but the first and most reliable way is by connecting with people you already know.

And, luckily, there's a very easy way to find them on LinkedIn.

Start by importing all of your phone contacts on LinkedIn and sending them a connection request. Then, use the "People You May Know" feature to find more people you might have missed from the same school, company, or from your industry.

You can do this by tapping on the My Network tab in the navigation bar, and scrolling down to the "People You May Know" section.

#5: Connect with Strangers in Your Field

The goal of networking on LinkedIn isn't to add as many people as possible. Rather, it is to create meaningful connections with people who can help you grow professionally.

Do this by:

Sending invites to a manager, recruiter, or company representative that works in your specific field and can help you get your desired job position. If you're in accounting, don't connect with strangers who do the polar opposite, like medicine, geology, or engineering. They might give you a "like react", but they likely won't be interested (rather, slightly annoyed) in the content that you post.

Send a personalized message along with your request. For example, you can add 2-3 sentences explaining why you two should connect, such as: "Hello, I see that you work for Company X. I wanted to reach and connect because I am currently exploring new job opportunities. I've been working for ABC Company for 4+ years and I'm now ready for my next challenge".

LinkedIn groups are dedicated forums where professionals with similar interests, or who work in the same industry, share their knowledge, ask questions, and have conversations about topics they want to learn more about. Joining these groups can help you create new connections, grow partnerships, and show off experience and expertise.

LinkedIn makes finding and joining these groups easy-all you've got to do is search for specific keywords related to your industry, interests, or desired customer.

For example, a quick search of the keyword "content marketing" in the group section results in about 6,600 groups.

Joining just a few of these active groups means thousands of people in your industry could see your profile and reach out to you.

For this to actually happen, though, you'll need to do more than just join. You have to interact with the LinkedIn group by participating in discussions, asking questions, and posting relevant content, among other things.

#7: Regularly Write Content

Actively liking, commenting, and showing love to your LinkedIn connections is a great way to grow your network-but why stop there?

If you have experiences and educational or informational content yourself, you can publish it to boost your profile's credibility and present yourself as an expert in your industry.

Follow these tips when writing content for LinkedIn:

Tailor your language to the LinkedIn demographic by writing in a professional and authoritative voice.

Post regularly, which is usually several times a week.

Add relevant visuals such as infographics and pictures along the content to make the post as attention-grabbing as possible.

By now, we've covered all the DOs of networking on Linkedin.

Now, let's go over some of the don'ts of LinkedIn networking that'll keep you from losing a job opportunity, offending users, or accidentally embarrassing yourself.

#1: Don't Send Generic Messages

One of the best things about LinkedIn is that it gives you the opportunity to connect one-on-one with almost any professional, anywhere in the world. But if you send the same automated, generic messages to every connection, you lose the opportunity to give people any meaningful reason to connect.

Hey John, I saw your profile on LinkedIn and thought we should connect.

Spend a few extra minutes to personalize your messages by researching the person you're writing to, explaining how you found them and mentioning the specific reason why you're reaching out to them.

Hey John, we chatted at the Webbit conference back in 2019 about marketing. Let's connect!

Or, if you don't actually know the person:

Hey John, saw you're passionate about AI and machine learning - so am I! Let's connect.

#2: Don't Expect Everyone to Network

Setting hard expectations when networking on LinkedIn can lead to frustration and discouragement. The truth is that not everyone's going to accept your connection requests, reply fast, or return your likes and comments.

This happens due to a variety of reasons-some people want to keep their LinkedIn private, some don't use the platform as often, and others might just have different standards for connecting.

So, dive into LinkedIn networking with an open mind and don't take people's actions personally.

#3: Don't Spam People

There are numerous ways you can use LinkedIn messages without getting discredited as a spammer.

Avoid:

Automated subscriptions to your newsletter.

Sending connection requests to people you don't know and have nothing in common with.

Sending mass-produced messages to all of your connections.

Key Takeaways

And that's a wrap!

We hope you found our guide helpful in understanding how to use LinkedIn to create meaningful professional connections.

Before leaving, let's quickly go over some of the main points we covered:

On LinkedIn (just like pretty much everywhere else) looks matter. So before networking, make sure your LinkedIn profile is completely filled out and optimized.

Look for connections among people you already know and those working in the same industry.

Join LinkedIn groups and regularly engage in them by asking questions and leaving comments to build new connections and gain exposure.

Update your profile regularly with your own work experiences and professional learnings.

Personalization is key: never send generic, boring messages to potential leads and recruiters.

Lastly, always keep a positive attitude and don't get discouraged if some people don't respond or "return the connection".

Related Readings:

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How to Network on LinkedIn - 7 Proven Tips for 2024

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In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about networking on LinkedIn and boosting your online professional presence.

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9 tips to help you find your first job - and nail the interview

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The job market for the class of 2022 looks promising! But you still have to do your research, network and be prepared. Here are nine tips to help you find your first job.

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No matter how many you go on, job interviews can always be nerve wrecking. You put on your nicest clothes , print out your resume, and remind yourself to smile real big-and just when you think everything is going well, the interviewer hits you with a curveball question you aren't prepared for.

Luckily, you're not going to let that happen again and you're planning ahead to ace this month's interview . The best way to for anything is to do your research ahead of time-which is why we're here to help.

If you're preparing for a big interview in the New Year, prepping beforehand with these 15 interview questions will help you get one step closer to that dream job.

1. Tell me about yourself?

Most interviews start with this question and how you answer it will make your first impression. If you stumble over the answer and aren't quite sure what to say-you're lack of confidence in yourself is showing. If you start listing all your greatest accomplishments and talk too much, your ego might look a little too big. You need to find a good balance between being confident, but not pretentious.

The best way to prepare for this question is to prepare an elevator pitch about who you are. Skip your personal history and give about 2-3 sentences about your career path and how you ended up in this interview, applying for this job. You don't need to be too detailed, there are plenty of more questions coming. You just want to leave enough curiosity that the interview becomes excited to learn more about you throughout the interview.

2. Why do you want to work for [insert company name]?

When a hiring manager asks this question, not only do that want to know why you want to work for them, but they also want to know what you know about the company. This question tests how well you know what the company does and how passionate you are about the work they do-so make sure you know the company well and can speak truthfully about your desires to work there.

3. How did you hear about this job?

When asked this during an interview, don't just say you heard about the job on a website. This is your opportunity to go into more details about why you love this company and what motivates you to want to work there. Moreover, if you have a personal connection at the company, this would be a good time to mention their name!

4. Tell me about something on your resume.

Everyone has something on their resume that they're really proud of. Whether it's a skill or achievement you've listed, or a specific place you worked at, considering answering this question with the most interesting thing on your resume. Plus, don't just say something relevant to your most recent position-you're already going to be asked about that. Instead, think back to one of the older positions listed on your resume and talk about how that job helped your grow into the person you are today.

5. Why are you looking for a job? Or, why are you looking for a different job?

This question might seem innocuous, but this is how interviewers weed out the people who are either a) just looking for any job b) were fired from their last position or c) might have a high turnover rate, meaning you won't be sticking around for too long. Focus on the positives and be specific. Think about why you are looking for a job: did you just graduate and this will be your first real job? Are you switching career paths? Are you leaving a current job for this one?

If you are currently working somewhere, you should also be prepared to answer, "why do you want to leave your current job for this one?"

When asked this question, keep in mind that the recruiter is looking to hear what skills you have that you're going to bring to the team. Don't give a vague answer, such as, "I'm friendly and a hard worker." Instead, be specific, summarize your work history and achievements, and use numbers when possible.

In example, say how many years of experience you have or name some of the accomplishments you made at your last company. The more specific you can be about what your skills are and how valuable of an employee you are, the better the interviewer will be able to picture you working there.

7. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This can seem like a heavy question during an interview, especially when you haven't prepared for it ahead of time. Keep in mind that you're in an interview setting-so you don't need to go into all the details about what your personal life goals are for the next five years. Focus on your career goals and be realistic.

If you plan to work at this company for five years, make sure you understand who would be working above you and what potential career growth there is. The hiring manager asks this questions to find out if you set realistic goals, if you are ambitious, and to confirm that the position you are interviewing for aligns with these goals and growth.

If this position isn't exactly a job with a lot of future opportunity, you can simply answer this by noting that you are not certain what your future is going to look like, but that you believe this position is going to help you navigate yourself in the right direction.

8. Tell me about a conflict you faced at work and how you dealt with it.

This question is important to ace because it helps an interviewer understand how you deal with conflict. It also helps test how well you think on your feet-so if you prepare ahead of time with a specific example, you'll avoid the awkward moment of silence while you try to think of an example.

Once you have an example in mind, simply explain what happened, how you resolved the issue in a professional manner, and try to end the story with a happy note about how you reached a resolution or compromise with your co-worker.

Similar to the "where do you see yourself in five years" question, the interviewer is looking to understand how realistic you are when setting goals, how ambitious you are, and whether or not the job and company will be a good place for you to grow.

Again, try to set aside your personal goals (don't say your dream job is to be paid to take Instagram photos) and focus on your career goals. Think about how this job is going to set you up for the future and get you closer to your dream job. But, don't be that person who says, "to be CEO of this company."

10. What do you expect out of your team/co-workers?

This question is meant to understand how you work on a team and whether you will be the right cultural fit for the company. To prepare for this answer, make sure you research the company ahead of time. You can always tell a little bit about a what a company's culture is like by looking through their social media profiles or reading their reviews on Glassdoor.

11. What do you expect out of your manager?

Again, the hiring manager is looking to understand what kind of employee you would be and whether you will be a good fit to add to their team. In some interviews, your future manager might be interviewing you. Answer this question as honest as possible and pull examples from your current manager if you can show how they positively help you work better.

12. How do you deal with stress?

Answering this question will help hiring managers identify any potential red flags you might have. You want to show that you can handle stress in a professional and positive manner that helps you continue working or won't stop you from accomplishing your goals. Moreover, be specific and explain what you actually do to deal with stress-like taking a 15-minute break to take a walk outside, or crossing items off on a to-do list, etc.

13. What would the first 30 days in this position look like for you?

This question helps a company understand what you will get done in your first month, to three months in the position-and how you answer it will signal whether or not you're the right person for the job. Start by mentioning what information you would need to get started and what would help you transition into the new role. Then focus on your best skills and how you would apply those to this position right away.

14. What are your salary requirements?

Some interviewers ask this question, others don't. It's always better to be prepared, especially because you want to make sure you would be paid a fair wage for the value you are going to add. That's why we built our Know Your Worth tool-to help you determine what you should be paid.
Note: While employers can ask what your salary expectations are, in certain places it is illegal for them to ask what your previous salary was.
15. Do you have any questions?

The last question you will always be asked during an interview is whether or not you have any questions for the interviewer. This is your chance to really stand out-so don't blow it by saying you don't, or that your questions have already been answered. Even if you don't have any questions-there's always a question you can ask at the end of an interview .

Keep a list of at least three to five questions in the back of your mind so that no matter what, there are at least two questions you have to ask at the end of the interview. Recruiters say that actually enjoy getting to answer some questions at the end of an interview-they did just listen to you talk about themselves, so ask about them for a change. Once this part is over, you can rest easy and walk out of the interview knowing you aced it!

Browse Open Jobs

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15 Interview Questions You Should Be Prepared to Answer This Month

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No matter how many you go on, job interviews can always be nerve wrecking. You put on your nicest clothes , print out your resume, and remind yourself to smile real big-and just when you think everything is going well, the interviewer hits you with a curveball question you aren't prepared for.

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Free Interview Prep Tool from LinkedIn.com

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Staying Up-To-Date on Job Search Strategies for 2022

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Staying Up-To-Date on Job Search Strategies for 2022

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If you've ever thought about exploring a new career or leaving your job - now is the time.

According to Monster's "Future of Work" global report, which included responses from 3,000 business leaders in September, 93% of employers plan to hire in 2022. Salaries are expected to increase across several industries, too: Companies are dedicating 3.9% of their payroll budgets to raises this year, the Conference Board reported from its November survey of 240 U.S. businesses.

"This is a really great time to be a job-seeker - you're in the driver's seat," LinkedIn career expert Andrew McCaskill tells CNBC Make It. "There's millions of open positions, and companies are considering all kinds of incentives to recruit folks - job seekers have a lot more ability to negotiate, and can really take advantage of this moment to get what they want from their jobs."

Searching for a new job can be exciting, but it can also be intimidating. You might find yourself constantly refreshing your email, waiting for an update from a recruiter, or getting stage fright right before an interview.

These strategies, from McCaskill and Monster career expert Vicki Salemi, will boost your confidence and help you nail the job search:

There's a trick for standing out in the application process, and it's all about timing: be first and fast.

"If you see a job that interests you, do not wait more than 24 hours to send in your application," Salemi tells CNBC Make It. "Ideally, you want to apply the same day."

Being one of the first candidates to respond to a job posting "gives you a super edge in finding a great opportunity," McCaskill adds. LinkedIn data collected in August 2020 shows that you're four times more likely to hear back about a position if you apply within the first 10 minutes - so it helps to be quick.

You can set up job alerts to be emailed to your inbox for positions that fit your preferred job title, field, location and salary expectations on Monster, LinkedIn and other job search platforms like Indeed.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in your job search is not knowing what you're looking for in your next role, or what your deal breakers are.

"Be really clear about why you're making a career change - is it because you're unhappy at work? Or are you craving a change because the world is crazy right now?" McCaskill says. "Once you know what you want, what you don't want and why, it makes it a lot easier to be really intentional about your job search."

It's important to avoid "throwing your resume up against the wall and seeing what sticks," McCaskill adds. Recruiters can sense if a candidate "isn't serious," he warns, if you mass-applied to jobs at the same company, or sent in a generic, rushed application.

To determine what your wants and deal-breakers are, McCaskill suggests asking yourself a series of questions:

What do I need from work?

What are my values?

What role do I want work to play in my life?

Is my job work or is it my passion?

If you're hitting a wall in your job hunt, reaching out to other professionals who work in your field or have careers that you admire can help you find inspiration and often lead to new opportunities.

Salemi recommends reaching out to your school's career office, any alumni associations you're a member of, friends, relatives or tapping social media to find new connections.

"Twitter is a great place for networking conversations," she says. "You can send someone a message mentioning that a recent post resonated with you, that it's a topic you're fascinated by, and ask if they have 15 minutes to chat about their work sometime over the next few weeks."

During a networking call, there's a few questions you should ask the person to improve your job search approach:

What do you know now about the industry that you wish you knew when you started?

Are there any online lectures, talks, certifications or online programs you would recommend?

What skills do I need to succeed in this role, or for the career I want to pursue?

Even when you face rejection, or start to lose patience during the job search, keeping an open mind and positive attitude will get you one step closer to landing your dream role. "Always be willing to learn, and stay focused on your end-goal," Salemi says. "You might discover a new job that you hadn't considered pursuing before, that could make you really happy."
Professor who predicted 'The Great Resignation' shares the 3 trends that will dominate work in 2022 The 10 best U.S. places to work in 2022, according to Glassdoor The top 20 companies on a hiring spree for remote workers this year Sign up now: Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletter

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3 ways to reboot your job search this year, according to career experts

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If you've ever thought about exploring a new career or leaving your job - now is the time. According to Monster's "Future of Work" global report, which included responses from 3,000 business leaders in September, 93% of employers plan to hire in 2022.

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Edit and customize online
Customize resumes in a few clicks with no additional software. Cloud and offline syncing save your changes (even if you lose your internet connection) and allow you to stay creative and organized. A host of functions provide you with additional options and safety. Data protection, a great interface and other features make resume creation a breeze!

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Online Resume builder to help you land the job (try for free)

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Edit and customize online Customize resumes in a few clicks with no additional software. Cloud and offline syncing save your changes (even if you lose your internet connection) and allow you to stay creative and organized. A host of functions provide you with additional options and safety.

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Tips from Indeed.com: Making Your Resume Stand Out!

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Tips from Indeed.com: Making Your Resume Stand Out!

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Tips for Making a Resume That Stands Out

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Learn about your interests, strengths and skills and related career matches and pathways using this one-stop-shop resource.

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How To Switch Careers: A Step-By-Step Guide

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Career changes can happen for many reasons, providing you with new and fulfilling opportunities. If you're considering switching careers, you may want to research professional options as well as why you want to make a change. In this article, we discuss what a career switch is and provide a comprehensive list of steps to help you change careers.

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Online and In-Person Networking Opportunities

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Online and In-Person Networking Opportunities

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We know networking is important, but it can be overwhelming to decide what events you should attend. Or, maybe you're not even sure how to find networking events to attend in the first place.

To help you discover new places to meet great people, here's an exhaustive list of different ways you can discover networking events worth attending - whether virtually or in-person.

As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, expect events to come back slowly but surely. In the meantime, consider getting into the habit of attending both virtual and in-person programming based on your comfort level.

When it comes to virtual events, look for different styles and formats. From large on-demand webinars with an audience chat only to small workshops where everyone's camera is on, there is always value to be gained.

The resources included here range from websites that post events to using social media to connect and discover events.

And remember, you can meet interesting people in a lot of different ways - and sometimes that means heading to a casual drink and draw or virtual gallery opening - in addition to formal networking and recruitment events.

Let's get to networking:

Do you have other strategies for finding networking events? Please share in the comments!

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An Exhaustive List of How and Where to Find In-Person and Virtual Networking Events - FindSpark

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We know networking is important, but it can be overwhelming to decide what events you should attend. Or, maybe you're not even sure how to find networking events to attend in the first place. To help you discover new places to meet great people, here's an exhaustive list of different ways you can discover networking events worth attending - whether virtually or in-person.

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Imagine this: Someone you admire sets aside time to meet with you. They share how they accomplished their goals. And over time, they cheer you on and give you feedback and advice. Sounds pretty great, right? That is what we call a mentor.

The right mentoring relationship can be a powerful tool for professional growth - it can lead to new career opportunities, a promotion, even a better work-life balance.

One of the trickiest things about mentoring, though, is that it often happens informally. And that can make it difficult to find an entry point.

Since women and people of color face discrimination at higher rates than white men do in certain fields like STEM, it can be especially helpful for women and people of color to know how to intentionally seek out mentors.

Here's how to find a good mentor, officially make the ask and make it work.

1. Finding the Right Mentor

Know your goals (both short and long-term). What do you want to accomplish professionally in the next three months? Can you do it in your current role or will it require you to switch jobs? The more specific you are with your goals, the easier it will be to find the right mentor. One strategy to create effective, easily-achievable goals is to work " SMART," meaning your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. ( Here's a tipsheet all about crafting your own SMART goals.) Envisioning your dreams this way allows you to break down lofty ideas into individual goals that are easier to accomplish through short-term steps.

Ask yourself who you look up to. Whose job would you like to have in the next five, 10 or 15 years? Is this person inside or outside your workplace? Who is your immediate role model where you work? Keep a running list of the jobs and people you are visualizing. Consider an identity-based mentor in your organization, especially if you need to talk about issues you're facing as an underrepresented person in your professional surroundings.

Do the research. You may or may not be able to ask one of those people to be your mentor, but what are the stepping stones to get to someone in a similar position? Take notes on the path that person took to get to where they are today.

Be cognizant of your existing network. The more aware someone already is of your work and abilities, the more effective they will be at mentoring you. Think about whether someone is already informally mentoring you - can you ask them to help you? If someone isn't aware of your work or you've never talked to them, look for a connection. Make sure the person you are thinking about also has the expertise you're looking for. (We'll talk more about this in the next section.)

2. Making the Ask to a potential mentor

Make sure it's the right fit before asking. You can feel this out by having informal meetings where you discuss your goals and trajectory, before asking them to be your mentor.

Mention what you like about the person's work, especially if you've never met. Say your boss introduced you to a possible mentor and neither of you knows the other. Do your research about the possible mentor's work. Then open with what you like about their work. That will show that you have a thoughtful approach.

Before COVID-19, asking for mentorship was best in person. Video is just fine now. When you feel someone is the right fit, do your best to make the ask with more than just a phone call or email. It shows that you will be open to feedback in the long term.
Here are some things to mention:

Tell them specifically what you've gotten out of past conversations with them. (This might be from that first informal meeting.)

Be clear about how often you want to meet for and how long, and make sure it works for them. (You can reassess this later in the relationship.)

Mention you'll put together agendas that align with the goals discussed above prior to each meeting.

Finally, make sure they are considering this mentorship as an option and not an obligation. We're all busy, and you should approach the ask fully aware they might say no. And that's OK! If they do say no, mention you admire their path and thank them for considering. That leaves the door open for a future relationship.

3. Tips on Being a Good Mentee

So you've found the right mentor. Now what?

Remember your goals. If you mention your specific, achievable goals from the beginning of the relationship, your mentor can help you stay on track at each meeting.

Meet consistently. Figure out how often you want to meet (i.e. once a week or once a month over four to six months), how long you want to meet for (i.e. half an hour or one hour) and how you want to meet - and make it consistent. Video conference is a good start so that you can get to know each other better. Gradually progress to phone calls once you're comfortable. Decide whether you or your mentor want to send out calendar invites to protect the time you plan to meet. This might mean keeping your supervisor in the loop.

Remember that this relationship is not a therapy session. Remember to make and keep boundaries. We're human, and often personal issues will come into play during your sessions, especially if you have a pre-existing relationship or are talking about work-life balance. It's okay to vent. But make sure not to monopolize the session with personal issues or make it only about venting.

Some mentorships will end, based on where each person is in life. Don't feel guilty, but close the loop respectfully. And remember to take care of yourself, above all else. Good luck!
Anjuli Sastry is the co-founder of NPR's Women of Color mentorship program, which has paired up more than 100 NPR employees for mentoring. Sastry was also a member of the inaugural The podcast portion of this story was produced by Andee Tagle. We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823 with a greeting, your name, your phone number and a random life tip. Or send us an email at See Life Kit sponsors and promo codes LifeKit@npr.org. It might appear in an upcoming episode. ONA Mentorship Collaborative. She spoke about mentorship at Werk It: A Women's Podcast Festival in Los Angeles in October 2019. Hear her talk .

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The right mentor can change your career. Here's how to find one

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A strong mentoring relationship can change your career and help you outside of work.

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Real Ways to Make Career Connections Online

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Real Ways to Make Career Connections Online

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Making connections with people in online events requires planning and a proactive attitude. Credit: SwitchedDesign | Shutterstock

On paper, networking is a relatively simple task. Mingle with like-minded professionals while sipping wine and you greatly increase your chances of landing a coveted role, or building your dream career.

Pre-COVID, gearing up for a networking event, you would probably have walked into a venue, thinking, "Smile. Remember your elevator pitch. If all else fails, talk about the weather."

Now though, many of us are faced with a slightly different predicament: how to network while working remotely. Operating out of makeshift home offices, with children demanding tea or pets stepping on keyboards, we have collectively become BBC Dad, AKA Robert Kelly. The Busan-based political scientist famously went viral in 2017 when his children interrupted a live interview he was doing on television, and his wife had to scramble to get them out of his office.

As tricky a proposition as it might be to meet people in such circumstances, research shows that rising to the challenge is worth it. According to one online survey, networking accounts for up to 85% of all filled vacancies. It can also lead to substantial pay rises, as evidenced by the recent story of how one employee secured a £24,000 pay rise solely through networking.

My research shows that in early 2022, 44% of young people used social media to look for career information-up from only 19% a decade ago-and 42%consulted their social networks when looking to make a career decision. Online networking, even before the pandemic, was a crucial tool for career development.
How to network online
Remote working has of course seen videoconferencing become the norm. Online networking events are now routinely held on platforms including EventBrite, Slack, Yammer and Instagram live.

So first, do your research: identify the organisations, associations, and causes of most interest to you. Find the blogs and forums that are relevant to your field of work, and sign up to as many mailing lists as you can efficiently handle. Find your people and follow them on social media.

The goal of this first step is to increase the volume of information that you receive passively. This creates what is known as environmental affordance: the possibility for action afforded to you by your environment. The more regular updates about relevant events that you receive, the more likely you are to attend them.

Second, be strategic. In a world where conference dinners and impromptu water cooler conversations have been replaced by Zoom catch-ups, things aren't as spontaneous as they were before. Scheduling is key.

Create a personal networking plan. Decide how much time you are going to devote to online networking and note down your goals: how many people you want to speak to; which companies you want to find out more about; which specific people you need to seek out to discuss specific topics. Make sure to schedule in time to maintain your online presence. And opt for a variety of engagements such as webinars, online recruitment fairs, one-to-one Zoom meetings, and online conferences.

Third, research shows that the most prolific networkers possess proactive personality traits, and are likely to score high on extroversion-a trait associated with being outgoing and seeking out new experiences-in personality tests. That does not mean, however, that you have to be an extrovert to succeed at networking. You just need to be proactive: proactive behaviour is the strongest predictor of networking success.

If there is a specific person or a group of professionals that you would like to build a relationship with, get in touch with them directly. Email them, message them on Twitter, set up a Zoom meeting, or research the online networking mixers they might take part in.
Why networking is critical to success
Networking underpins two key aspects of professional advancement: employability and self-directed career development.

The first, employability, pertains to what economists refer to as the human capital of a potential employee: their external marketability and the relative value of their educational background, technical skills, and soft skills-such as communication, time management and creativity-on the job market. Networking makes your human capital readily apparent to employers and prompts hiring decisions.

Self-directed career development, meanwhile, is an ongoing personal development project, whereby you seek career information and take action towards longterm career goals. Here, networking is a crucial means for obtaining career information. This both helps you raise your personal aspirations and figure out whether a particular job, company, or sector is right for you. The firsthand experiences of other people working in a given profession can be helpful in gauging whether you too would be a good fit.

Networking also helps to build relationships with mentors and role models, and gives access to peer support communities and professional groups. This is about more than just securing a job. It creates a sense of belonging and of professional identity, and in doing so develops what social scientists term " social capital": shared norms, values, and beliefs in professional communities.

Networking involves a number of skills-approaching others, finding common ground, maintaining relationships-that can be practised and learned. Of these, listening -- not talking-is perhaps the most important. Express an interest in other people's work and ask them questions, and you'll be well on your way to making meaningful connections that benefit not only you as an individual. Because they bolster knowledge exchange and collective problem-solving, they benefit your community, too.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Networking online: How to make professional connections remotely and why it matters

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On paper, networking is a relatively simple task. Mingle with like-minded professionals while sipping wine and you greatly increase your chances of landing a coveted role, or building your dream career. Pre-COVID, gearing up for a networking event, you would probably have walked into a venue, thinking, "Smile. Remember your elevator pitch.

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Informational interviews can be effective for making connections with professionals working in your field or at a company of interest. You can gain great insights and learn more about the industry, company, pathways to your future role and potential career opportunities.

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When it comes to job searching and career development, the power of informational interviews is underrated.

Usually, when we talk about "interviews," we mean the kind where you're actively applying and hoping to score a coveted open position. But then there's the other (dare we say "better"?) version, the one that ultimately will help jobs come to you. Let's talk about informational interviews.

SO WHAT IS AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW?

It's a networking technique that allows you to connect with people from companies and industries you're interested in without the stress that comes with a typical job interview. In other words, the roles are reversed; you have the power of interviewing someone else in order to boost your career.

WHY YOU NEED Informational Interviews

The purpose of setting up an informational interview is to gather information about what you need to succeed in your career field, learn about a new field or just talk to someone about their own personal career path. The most important thing to remember about this process is that you're not scheduling an interview to get a job offer. The primary purpose of an informational interview is-as advertised-information.

Informational interviews are great for any age group, whether you just graduated from college or are considering a mid-career change. The exploratory nature of these interviews will allow you to ask the appropriate questions needed to help you get from Point A to Point B.

That said, we'll just hint at this statistic from Quintessential Careers speak for itself: "One out of every 200 resumes results in a job offer. One out of every 12 informational interviews, however, results in a job offer."

How to Prepare FOr an Informational Interview

Before scheduling your informational interview, it's important to know what industry you are targeting and what you'd like to accomplish. Start by filling out our Informational Interview worksheet.

LinkedIn is a great tool to use for this part. Look up companies you would be interested in working for and take a look at the employees that have titles similar to your interests. Another great place to start is the alumni directory from your college or university. That way, you'll already have something in common when reaching out.

Many times, people will list their contact information directly on their profile-in this case, it's best to send a message to their personal email. Here is an example of a template you can use when seeking interviewees:

Hi NAME,

I hope this email finds you well! My name is Samantha Tollin and I am reaching out because I am interested in learning more about COMPANY NAME.

I always like to meet new people and expand my professional network. Currently, I (explain what you do or what you are interested in).

Do you have time in the coming weeks to connect in person? I am available anytime after 4:00 p.m. PST Monday through Friday.

Looking forward to your response!

Best,

YOUR NAME

Once you have a couple of informational interviews lined up, the next step is to do as much research as possible on the person and company you are interviewing with. The more prepared you are for these interviews, the more you can accomplish with them.

Once you meet the interviewee in person, show up dressed as you would for an actual interview. If you look professional and come prepared, this will show the interviewee that you value their time. You can start by giving the interviewee a short introduction of yourself, or a polished " elevator pitch."

Then, before you start asking your questions, ask the interviewee to give an introduction. You want to show them that the conversation is two-sided. You can bring a list of questions but show that you are engaged by asking follow-up questions and not just reading from your list. Here are a few examples of questions to get you going:

How did you get started in this industry?

How did you find out about (company)?

What is the company culture like?

What responsibilities does your position entail?

How/when is performance measured?

What kinds of decisions do you make?

What are your favorite/least favorite aspects of your job?

What are the most challenging/rewarding parts of your job?

What do you like most about the company?

Those are just a few of the many questions you can ask. Be sure to tailor your questions to the interviewee and listen attentively. When the conversation is over, ask for their business card and how they prefer to be contacted.

Always send a thank-you note after your informational interviews ( here's more on crafting the perfect thank you note). Make it brief and straightforward-something that will let them know you really appreciate their time. Keeping in touch with your interviewees will not only be beneficial for networking purposes but also could play a significant part in a potential job offer down the line. Now get out there and gather some information!

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Informational Interviews: What They Are and How to Use Them | Career Contessa

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When it comes to job searching and career development, the power of informational interviews is underrated. Usually, when we talk about "interviews," we mean the kind where you're actively applying and hoping to score a coveted open position. But then there's the other (dare we say "better"?)

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Visit Salary.com to learn more!

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Knowing What You’re Worth: 3 Keys to Determine Your Market Value | Salary.com

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You are an entrepreneur and your company is you. Your paycheck is the revenue generated from the services you provide your employer. Like any successful

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Robert Half: 2022 Salary Calculator Tool

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