[This is an example of a typical course. It includes learning objectives, content that is organized in sections and steps, links to other resources, graphics, video, a worksheet that the participant completes to assure that they have gone through the course, and other items as necessary. Some courses use audio in a welcome message, but others have elected to use video for that.
This course is more of a demonstration. Most courses would include videos like she has done, but would include readings as well (a bit more scholarly so to speak). Readings are items you have developed, and/or found in links to other documents, websites, articles, etc.
Content that you submit to me should not be submitted in multiple colors, with buttons like on this page, or with much formatting at all. I take care of putting all this together in a visually appealing way. Graphics should be submitted as separate files. Any readings or worksheets should be submitted to me in MS Word. I will likely convert to a pdf file. Pdf files that are from other resources can be submitted as pdf files. The fewer special fonts, boldings, itals, etc, the better. I realize you may want some formatting, but please keep it to a minimum – just enough to convey your basic intent and flow of the course.]
Social Media Tools for Career Development: LinkedIn
INTRODUCTORY VIDEO This would include a 3-5 minute talking head video of you discussing the contents of the course and why this is an important topic, and what the person will get out of it. Often it includes who should take the course.
This introductory course is designed to familiarize career counselors with LinkedIn, a web-based, professional social networking site with over 100 million registered members. The purpose of the course is to provide career services practitioners with an overview of the platform and recommendations for how students and clients can manage an active LinkedIn profile focused on professional networking goals. While there are paid upgrade options, this course will cover the features of a free account. You have 30 days to complete this course.
Who should take this course: This course is designed for personnel in a career services setting – career counselors at higher education career centers, career counselors in private practice, and those in related workforce development positions working with students and clients who are engaged in career development and the job search process. You will be asked to complete an evaluation form after you conclude this course. One of the items will ask you how much time you spent on the entire course, so please make note of this as you go along.
State why someone should take the course as well. Give a more global overview.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will learn how to:
1. Set up a free, personal LinkedIn account. LO1
2. Navigate within the LinkedIn system’s main menus and feature options. LO2
3. Implement leading practices in LinkedIn profile optimization. LO3
4. Join a LinkedIn group related to a specific career field of interest. LO4
5. Make professional networking connections with other LinkedIn users. LO5
6. Research job openings and company information within the LinkedIn system. LO6
7. Explore more advanced features and functions of the LinkedIn system. LO7
Course Outline: The outline is not necessary, but could be helpful.
1) Getting Started with LinkedIn (LO1, LO2)
2) Optimizing LinkedIn Profiles: The Basics (LO3)
3) Participating in LinkedIn Groups (LO4)
4) Using LinkedIn in the Job Search Process (LO5, LO6)
5) Additional Features – Continue to Explore! (LO7)
This course has 5 lessons: 1) Getting Started with LinkedIn, 2) Optimizing LinkedIn Profiles, 3) Participating in LinkedIn Groups, 4) Using LinkedIn in the Job Search Process, and 5) Additional Features to Explore. This Each lesson includes specific learning objectives (LO), related content, a video demonstration, additional resources for further reading, and an assessment.
Download the worksheet here and complete it as you move through each of the lessons. If you have any issues during the course, please contact your course instructor, (mailing address of course instructor) The worksheet should have items/questions that show the person has attended to all sections of the course, reading, videos, etc.
After completion of Lesson 1: Getting Started with LinkedIn you should be able to:
1) Set up a free, personal LinkedIn account, (LO1) and
2) Navigate within the LinkedIn system’s main menus and feature options (LO2).
Let’s get started! Go to Lesson 1.
Getting Started with LinkedIn
Tell them step-by-step what to do. Instead of less one, you could do Part 1.
Step 1: Set-up a Basic Account
To use LinkedIn as part of your professional networking strategy, or to help your students/clients leverage this tool in their career development efforts, setting up a basic user account is the first step.
Use the instructions below to set up your first LinkedIn account:
1) Go to www.linkedin.com in your favorite Internet browser.
2) Review the User Agreement and Privacy Policy information linked to the sign in page.
3) Enter your name, email address, and a password of your choice that contains 6 or more characters
4) Click “Join Now.”
5) Follow the screen prompts to enter information to be included in your professional profile. Items with an asterisk (*) are required. Note: You will be able to edit this information at any time after your initial profile is established.
6) After completing the initial screens, you will be asked to confirm your email address. Check the email account that you used to set up your account and follow the instructions to confirm your access to that account and finish your LinkedIn account set-up.
After entering your new LinkedIn account you will have the option to “see who you already know on LinkedIn” by allowing the system to access your contact lists in your email and other accounts, search for others working for employers you have indicated in your professional history, and former classmates at institutions you have listed in your education history. This is optional and can be done at later time.
Step 2: Take a Quick Tour of the LinkedIn Interface
Let’s take a closer look at the main profile menu options available to you after you sign into your free LinkedIn account. Click on the video link to see an overview of the main menu items of an individual account.
View this video. 
It’s a large file and may take a while to load.
Note: As with most web-based applications, LinkedIn periodically undergoes updates that modify the look and feel of the interface as well as add new features and functions.
Step 3: Review LinkedIn’s Similarities/Differences with Traditional Resumes and CVs
LinkedIn as a social media platform is often considered a good fit for career development and the job search process because of its focus on professional networking. LinkedIn users come to this platform with an expectation of sharing their own information as well as learning from others.
The individual profile is also constructed from elements that are similar to a traditional resume or curriculum vitae format. These elements include:
- Current and past employment experience
- Education history
- Summary and specialties
- Skills
- Honors and Awards
- Association memberships
- Contact information and preferences
LinkedIn also allows the individual user to incorporate additional components not usually found on a traditional resume or application document. The web-based utility of the LinkedIn profile means that a variety of items can be added beyond text-based information, making the professional profile a helpful networking tool. Here are just some of the options that can be added to or linked to a profile:
- Recommendations
- Personal websites
- Twitter accounts
- Outside applications, such as blogs and slide presentations.
- LinkedIn Group membership (more about these in Lesson 3).
LinkedIn in many ways offers a combination of resume and website for any individual interested in developing their online presence and extending their professional networking beyond face-to-face settings.
Read these related articles:
So Long Resume, Hello LinkedIn from The Long Island Business News http://libn.com/youngisland/2012/03/02/so-long-resume-hello-linkedin/
LinkedIn’s Overused Resume Words from The Wall Street Journal http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/12/14/writing-a-resume-linkedin-shows-what-words-to-avoid/
Steps 4 and 5 have been deleted.
Worksheet: Complete items 1-6 on your worksheet. Then you can move on to Lesson 2 (or Part 2).
Are you ready for the next lesson?
Now that you have finished this lesson you can go on to the next section of the course — Lesson 2. (or Part 2)
Optimizing LinkedIn Profiles
Introduction
This goal of this unit is to provide you with some of the ways in which you can edit a LinkedIn profile for use in career development and job search contexts. The basic profile is good for networking, but by making some adjustments a user’s profile may attract more attention of recruiters.
After completion of Lesson 2: Optimizing LinkedIn Profiles you should be able to:
1) Implement leading practices in LinkedIn profile optimization. (LO3)
Let’s get started…
Step 1: Review Elements of a User Profile
While there are many ways an individual can customize his or her LinkedIn Profile, the basic elements to be addressed by a new user should include the following:
Headline
Summary
Additional steps and lessons have been deleted.
This is the last unit of this course. Congratulations!!
In this course you learned ………………
If you have not already done so, download and complete the assessment worksheet provided, and submit your work as directed to (course author). Once your work has been reviewed and accepted by the instructor, you will receive your certificate of completion.
Please complete this evaluation. 