These days, chances are you’re spending more time stalking on Facebook than thinking about the future. But, if you want to prepare for life after Lawrence (and you should), it’s a good idea to start devoting some of your time to more fruitful pursuits. Below are some reasons why LinkedIn beats Facebook in helping you further your career. (Plus, click on the infographic to the left for some interesting stats.)
(Read full article and more tips here.)
1. LinkedIn is a professional website. LinkedIn was created to connect professionals in online networking; Facebook was not. Although both services have evolved to include elements of each other, they do still remain true to their original purpose, and LinkedIn excels at presenting a professional front.
2. Your college professors might actually use LinkedIn. Although some colleges take a lax approach to social media, many still frown on Facebook connections between students and professors. But on LinkedIn, connections are typically seen as a positive thing, opening you up to the resources that your professors can share with you, including positive recommendations.
3. LinkedIn users log in with a purpose. While on Facebook, you may be surfing to find out about the latest cat video or your friend’s wedding photos, but LinkedIn tends to lead to a more task-driven visit. Users log in to check out job and collaboration opportunities, people to hire, and relevant industry news.
4. You’re more likely to get a recommendation on LinkedIn. A recommendation on either LinkedIn or Facebook is a great way to put your best foot forward, but you’re simply more likely to land one on LinkedIn. Recent stats show that 36% of LinkedIn users make a recommendation, compared to 27% of Facebook users. LinkedIn also has a 57% interested recommendation response, compared with 42% on Facebook (see more stats and source here.)
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The Lawrence alumni network is one of the university’s greatest assets. Unfortunately, it also seems to be one of the best-kept secrets. I say “unfortunately” because it shouldn’t be a secret! We have alumni in almost any field and location you can think of. This provides an amazing resource for current students who would like to learn more about a specific industry or hear how past LU students have used their liberal arts degree.
