Networking Resources

Researching potential employers will be helpful to you in all phases of the job search. Researching allows you to target the employers most closely aligned with your needs and career goals. It’s important to be well informed about organizations so you can better market yourself through tailoring your cover letter and resume, when interviewing, or when speaking with employers at a networking event or career fair. 

Read our full guide as a Google Doc.

LinkedIn is an excellent resource for students and professionals to use as they build careers and a professional online presence. On LinkedIn, you can connect with people to conduct informational interviews, research companies, find available positions, and learn more about the field you are interested in pursuing. With a complete LinkedIn profile, your accomplishments are available online for all to see.

Visit the CDC on LinkedIn

Your LinkedIn profile

Job applicants who have a well-developed LinkedIn profile are over 70% more likely to receive a callback for a job interview than candidates without a LinkedIn profile, according to LinkedIn. With over 90% of recruiters using LinkedIn to find candidates, we strongly encourage to create a LinkedIn profile and use the platform as one of the many tools in their job search toolbox.

• Check out this tip sheet on creating a great profile
• Review these slides on Building Your LinkedIn Profile
• Watch Creating A Winning LinkedIn Profile (20 minutes) 
• Watch Maximize LinkedIn (80 minutes) 

Hamline resources

• Intro to LinkedIn and Profile Photos (six minutes) 
• Building Your Profile (10 minutes) 
• LinkedIn Presentation (PDF) 

Using LinkedIn to network

It’s estimated that up to 80% of job opportunities are obtained through networking. Making connections with professionals in your area of interest can help you gain insight into people’s career paths, learn about companies, and get advice about your own next steps.

• Read this tip sheet to learn how to explore Hamline's Alumni Network on LinkedIn
• Review these slides on Using LinkedIn to Network
• Watch this CDC video: Using LinkedIn to Research and Network  (11 minutes)

Interviewing is an opportunity for you to “sell” yourself to a company or organization. You will need to clearly articulate your skills and experiences and also connect these to the position you are applying for. Keep in mind interviewing is also your opportunity to determine if the position is the right fit for you. Make an appointment to complete a mock-interview with a career counselor for specific feedback and to gain more interviewing experience.

• Interviewing (Google Doc)
• Find sample interview questions (readyprepinterview.com)
• Interview questions that violate Equal Employment Opportunity (PDF)
• Interviewing tips video library (candidcareer.com)
• Networking tips video library (candidcareer.com)

The majority of positions are found through networking. Read our networking guide (Google Doc) to learn how you can be most successful networking and conducting informational interviews.