UF finance sophomore Caroline Hammoud learned how to build connections for UF’s Career Showcase — online.
The 19-year-old attended the Career Resource Center’s LinkedIn workshop Monday, where students were taught how to make effective profiles for Career Showcase.
Hammoud said she is planning on attending Career Showcase, held in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on Sept. 29 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"I’m hoping to learn how to use LinkedIn, and how it actually helps," Hammoud said.
CRC staff member Matthew Cowley, 25, said traditional resumes aren’t as interactive as LinkedIn profiles. That’s why the CRC hosted the workshop and will offer students the opportunity to get free headshots from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. during the Career Showcase.
Cowley told students at the workshop that 94 percent of recruiters use social networks or social media to look for future student employees and interns.
However, UF psychology junior Rachel Fisher said she doesn’t think companies should hire students based on their social media.
"I think that it can be helpful, but I don’t think it should ever be a deciding factor for someone who is deciding on hiring you or not," the 20-year-old said.
Cowley encourages students to get a LinkedIn account for Career Showcase and future jobs.
"Your LinkedIn profile is something that people can interact with even without you ever knowing that they are really even interacting with it," he said.
Rohan Pansare (right), a 24-year-old UF computer science masters student, walks into a LinkedIn workshop at the University of Florida Career Resource Center Sept. 21, 2015. The workshop was held for students in preparation for the Career Showcase. Students will be able to receive free headshots for their profile at the CRC’s LinkedIn booth during the Career Showcase next week.
