Both existing and prospective\u202fMBA\u202fstudents are likely already quite familiar with LinkedIn, the business and employment-oriented social networking platform. If, as an aspiring business professional, you lack a LinkedIn profile, this blog will help you take a closer examination of exactly how this platform can help further your career. If you already have a\u202fLinkedIn\u202faccount, you may not be getting the maximum value from your\u202fprofile\u202fand your network interactions. From undergraduate students to CEOs,\u202fLinkedIn\u202fhas become an essential part of fostering connections and doing business in most sectors and industries.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the leading professional database in the world,\u202fLinkedIn\u202flooms large both in the business world and in business education. As such, it has become an essential part of the admissions process for most high-quality\u202fMBA\u202fprograms. If nothing else, the officials behind these programs and the faculty members who teach within them typically expect MBA\u202fapplicants are\u202fLinkedIn\u202fmembers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, many leading colleges and universities require the submission of a\u202fLinkedIn\u202fprofile\u202flink as a part of\u202fadmissions. And even if the candidate\u2019s\u202fLinkedIn\u202fprofile\u202fisn\u2019t officially incorporated into the\u202fMBA\u202fadmissions\u202fprocess, there is, in the words of certified professional resume writer and influential\u202fadmissions\u202fconsultant Jennifer Bloom<\/a>,\u202f\u201can excellent chance that someone at some time during the application review process will be examining it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although\u202fLinkedIn\u202foptimization is often essential to the\u202fMBA\u202fadmissions\u202fand enrollment processes, MBA\u202fcandidates should welcome it as an opportunity. By paying close attention to a few key aspects of LinkedIn profile structure and content delivery, you do more than improve your chances of acceptance into a quality\u202fMBA\u202fprogram, you also set yourself up for success in the program and beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To optimize your LinkedIn profile to your MBA aspirations, Bloom stresses five key areas of importance: the\u202fheading, summary, professional experience, education, and volunteer experience. Your headline (which appears directly under your name on your public\u202fprofile) should succinctly sum up your distinct professional persona in just a few words. Your summary should, in 2000 words or less, then present a far more complete picture of what you have to offer. Then, whether you are applying for business school or for employment, you need to present accurate, thorough, and positive depictions of your educational background, professional experience, and volunteer experience.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although an optimized\u202fprofile\u202fis certainly essential, this is only one of many ways\u202fMBA candidates can leverage the power of\u202fLinkedIn\u202fto further their academic and professional careers. Writing for the independent workforce and career research resource platform The Muse, MBA admissions expert Betsy Massar<\/a>\u202fcalls\u202fLinkedIn\u202f\u201can immensely useful tool when you\u2019re applying to business schools.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to LinkedIn\u2019s potential for in-depth research on the specific business schools and career paths in which you are most interested, it offers value as a place to obtain advice from leaders in your professional field. You can also use it to investigate the success of\u202fMBA\u202fprogram alumni. Massar recommends following all of your favorite schools on\u202fLinkedIn\u202fin order to stay up to date with their latest\u202fMBA\u202fprogram developments and to see all the other LinkedIn members who are connected to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n A big part of successfully completing your\u202fLinkedIn\u202fprofile\u2014and generally taking advantage of all that the platform has to offer\u2014is to follow professionals who have a lot to offer in terms of useful information, networking opportunities, and essential prestige. Of course, your list of valuable\u202fLinkedIn\u202fconnections will largely depend on your career aspirations as well as the business sectors and industries in which you operate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, there are note-worthy business leaders with insights to offer that transcend industries. Here are five you should consider following on\u202fLinkedIn. Although they have relatively wide appeal and value, each of them has a unique area of expertise and brings a unique viewpoint to the platform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1.\u202fLiz Ryan<\/a>\u202f\u2013 <\/strong>The founder and CEO of Human Workplace, Ryan can offer excellent guidance to students and professionals alike when it comes to searching for employment and landing the dream jobs. Over the course of your career, you will likely perform a number of jobs, and you will likely need advice at every stage of your professional growth and development. Ryan\u2019s articles on employment strategies and the job market are highly informative. Plus, with her colorful and imaginative cartoons, they are often highly entertaining, as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2.\u202fDorie Clark<\/a>\u202f\u2013<\/strong> In addition to educating\u202fMBA\u202fstudents as a business professor at both Duke and Columbia, Clark has spread the gospel of personal branding as the author of the books\u202fStand Out\u202fand\u202fReinventing You<\/em>. Clark encourages professionals to craft a forward-facing personal business image (or \u201cbrand\u201d) that associates their names with their positive qualities and benefits.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3.\u202fChristel Quek<\/a>\u202f\u2013<\/strong> An expert in digital and conventional marketing, Quek is the Vice President of South East Asia at Brandwatch. She goes far beyond\u202fLinkedIn\u202fto help companies and professionals alike use all forms of social media to make more informed business decisions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4.\u202fBrian de Haaff<\/a>\u202f\u2013 <\/strong>There are, essentially, two types of productivity experts: those that concentrate exclusively on work output and those that concentrate on achieving an ideal work-life balance. The CEO of Aha! Labs Inc., de Haaff supports a dual focus, offering a number of approaches to help you optimize productivity in the workplace while remaining happy and content in both the professional and private spheres.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Jeff Weiner<\/a>\u202f\u2013<\/strong> No matter your initial career aspirations, you will likely want to parlay your\u202fMBA\u202fdegree into a senior business management position somewhere down the line. When it comes to connecting with an outstanding manager, you could do far worse than following the CEO of\u202fLinkedIn!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the\u202fprofile\u202fthat you place on\u202fLinkedIn\u202fto the people with whom you connect on it, the ways that you use this powerful, if not essential, social networking platform should be strategically designed to further your specific and practical career goals. The same holds true for the particular\u202fMBA\u202fprogram that you decide to pursue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the\u202fUniversity of Tennessee-Chattanooga<\/a>\u202f(UTC), we take the academic and career aspirations of our students very seriously. The practical advice of the educators and administrative team at the UTC\u202fGary W. Rollins College of Business<\/a>\u202fgo far beyond the classroom to help you succeed in all areas of the professional business world\u2014including the digital world of\u202fLinkedIn. UTC also offers a range of convenient online and in-person\u202fMBA\u202fprogram scheduling options<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u202f <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Both existing and prospective\u202fMBA\u202fstudents are likely already quite familiar with LinkedIn, the business and employment-oriented social networking platform. If, as an aspiring business professional, you lack a LinkedIn profile, this blog will help you take a closer examination of exactly how this platform can help further your career. If you already have a\u202fLinkedIn\u202faccount, you may… <\/p>\nOptimize Your LinkedIn Profile for MBA Acceptance and Future Success\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Connect with the Right Professionals for the Right Results\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5 People to Follow on\u202fLinkedIn If You\u2019re Pursuing Your\u202fMBA\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Choosing an MBA\u202fProgram That Understands the Modern Business World\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n