LinkedIn is an online networking site that provides professionals an opportunity to connect with other professionals in their field. LinkedIn is an opportunity to exchange idea and job opportunities. LinkedIn is not Facebook for the professional.

When I first signed up for LinkedIn, I started connecting with people I already knew from high school and college. I was hardly ever on it because I was seeing some of the same things I was seeing on Facebook.

This past summer, I learned that LinkedIn is so much more than that. LinkedIn is an opportunity to grow your network, outside of the people that you grew up with. 90% of recruiters use online social networking sites to recruit and screen prospective employees. If that is the case, then why are we afraid to use this site in the way it was intended?

In order to grow your network, you need to find groups that are relevant to your career interests. Since joining groups and following some of the people within those groups, I have been able to engage in discussions, ask questions, and learn more about my chosen career path.

Another way to grow your network is starting with your college, whether you are a current student or alumni. When you are in your LinkedIn profile, you can search for your college or university and then click on see alumni. You can even narrow your search down to where they live, where they currently work, their major when they were in school, and their years attended. I was able to search for alumni from the college I’m currently attending that had the same major. This was a great opportunity for me to find jobs in my field of study and start to make connections with those already working in the field.

How do you make that initial connection? Just like Facebook, most people won’t add you to your network if they don’t know who you are. All you have to do in LinkedIn before you request a connection is to send them a small message stating the following:

“Hello, my name is _______, I am a current/recent graduate of ____________ University. I am currently studying/have studied ____________ major and would like to connect so that I can learn more about the jobs available to me in my field. Thank you.”

I have had great success with people adding me to their network by taking this route. I have even had opportunities to speak one-on-one with some of my connections. I enjoy reading their posts and articles pertaining to my field of study. I have even made second and third connections because of the posts and articles that are being shared.

I am not only growing my network, but I’m also growing my knowledge and skill sets by utilizing LinkedIn. As long as you are working your LinkedIn profile, it will work for you!