Let’s face it: LinkedIn is probably the least exciting network for young socializers and soon-to-be college grads. Your profile picture should be professional; it’s looked down upon to make a million status updates about every mundane detail of your day; and you can’t post pictures of your new puppy (well, you could, but your connections won’t take you seriously). All in all, LinkedIn doesn’t have the social or visual appeal of Facebook or the immediacy of Twitter. So, how can you tailor college recruiting efforts to younger job seekers who use LinkedIn as a rarely-checked virtual resume?
Run in the Right Circles
Groups can be like e-Harmony for organizations and candidates – it’s all about looking in the right places. Joining groups can be a great way to interact with the entry-level talent you’re looking for because they allow members to discuss relevant topics, make comments and look up jobs. And by joining campus groups, you can interact with students that will be looking for a job someday. Even if they’re not active job seekers just yet, engagement will inevitably foster future interest in your company.
When You Do Reach Out, Do it Right
Once you do find that shining star of a candidate, you can take the next step in your LinkedIn relationship – a personal message. It’s important to keep it brief, say what you’re looking for and ask if they’d be willing to discuss the open position. Don’t be too vague about the opportunity, but also be careful not to list every single detail about it. You want to get them on the phone to have a real conversation so, even if that opening doesn’t turn out to be a match, they’ll be viable members of your talent community for future opportunities.
While it’s true that not all college students or recent grads are up to speed on LinkedIn and professional networking, it’s entirely possible to find that perfect college candidate if you know how to navigate LinkedIn and make use of the tools available.
Do you use LinkedIn to recruit recent college grads? What methods do you find most effective?
Image: LinkedIn
Author: Megan Graham
Megan Graham is currently pursuing a degree in News-Editorial Journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Though she's standing firm on the apparently sinking journalism boat, she's getting her feet wet in social media too. Connect with Megan (or toss her a life jacket) on Twitter @megancgraham or at http://www.linkedin.com/in/megancgraham.
