S26:E4 - The Ins and Outs of LinkedIn (Laura Thorson)
Nov 22, 2023
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Laura Thorson, Program Manager at GitHub, discusses her transition from music to tech, her experience using LinkedIn to find job opportunities, and strategies for success outside her comfort zone. She also shares tips for leveraging LinkedIn for content creation, networking, and improving your profile.
Having a well-crafted LinkedIn profile is crucial for job seekers, including a summary section that highlights unique qualities and strengths.
Engaging with LinkedIn's creator tools and leveraging networking capabilities can help individuals stand out and attract recruiters.
Deep dives
Importance of a Well-Crafted LinkedIn Profile
Having a well-crafted LinkedIn profile is crucial for job seekers as it serves as an online resume and a platform to showcase skills and experiences. The profile should include a summary section that highlights the individual's unique qualities and strengths, providing insight into how they can contribute to a team. Additionally, it is essential to include details about projects worked on, focusing on the impact and results achieved. Proofreading the profile to eliminate typos and ensuring clear and concise communication is also vital.
Leveraging LinkedIn Tools and Features
With the evolution of LinkedIn as a social platform, individuals can take advantage of various features to stand out and network effectively. Engaging with the platform's creator tools, such as publishing articles or sharing videos, can help demonstrate expertise and a passion for learning. Leveraging the networking and connection-building capabilities of LinkedIn can also enhance opportunities and attract recruiters. However, authenticity is key, and each person should find the communication methods that suit them best, whether it's through written content, videos, or event participation.
Maximizing the Impact of a LinkedIn Profile
To maximize the chances of getting hired, individuals should strategically utilize their LinkedIn profile. This involves creating a captivating about section that conveys their unique qualities and problem-solving abilities. Focusing on achievements and contributions made in previous roles using bullet points or concise paragraphs is crucial. Instead of listing generic skills or interests, individuals should emphasize how their skills can provide solutions to potential employers' needs. Proofreading for typos is essential, as it demonstrates attention to detail.
Valuable Advice for LinkedIn Success
One valuable piece of advice is to remember that the majority of what others say is a reflection of themselves rather than a personal judgment. Building a compelling LinkedIn profile involves understanding that it is an opportunity to show authenticity and communicate how one's skills and approach can benefit others. Additionally, being resourceful and utilizing search engines like Google to find solutions to coding challenges is critical. Recognizing the wealth of learning resources available and actively seeking answers to problems can significantly contribute to coding success.
Saron chats with Laura Thorson, Program Manager at GitHub. Laura talks about how she was always interested in singing, dancing and music growing up which led her to UCLA on a scholarship to play the oboe. She tells us about her experience at UCLA and her decision to go to a coding bootcamp after graduation as opposed to searching for a job with her English Lit degree. Laura then describes the jobs she landed after bootcamp at Salesforce, Twitter, Meta and now GitHub and how LinkedIn played a huge role in helping her land these opportunities.
Laura Thorson is a program manager, former engineer and design enthusiast who loves developing technical programs and scaling them for optimal impact. Currently, she manages GitHub's third-party, community global sponsorship presence and the Speaker Bureau program. In her spare time, she can be found watercoloring at the beach with her husband and son in sunny Southern California.
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