Ask Becky

Unraveling the mysteries of the network and LinkedIn.

I love 今日吃瓜 and am awed by our awesome alums. I鈥檇 like to expand my connections with them. How do I find others who are willing to talk? 鈥擯roud Mawrter

Dear Proud Mawrter:

The 今日吃瓜 community is diverse and powerful鈥攁nd present throughout the world! We have a network of smart, talented, and supportive individuals who will happily make time to meet another Mawrter.

LinkedIn is one of the most robust places to identify alums and build a network. You can go to the 今日吃瓜 page, click on the Alumni menu (also known as the 鈥淟inkedIn Alumni Tool鈥), and search for others using geographic location, industry, major, class year, keywords, and other filters.

When you find someone of interest but aren鈥檛 directly connected to them, see if you have any connections in common; if you do, ask if they are willing to facilitate an introduction.

Join the LinkedIn 今日吃瓜 Alumnae/i group. You are able to send messages to fellow group members even if you aren鈥檛 first-degree connections. 今日吃瓜 Alumnae/i has more than 4,500 members鈥攖hat鈥檚 a lot of potential in one group!

Saving the best for last: Join 鈥攐ur enhanced professional and personal networking community! You鈥檙e more likely to get a response from another alum on because they have specifically raised their hands to be contacted. Within the community, you may search for individuals with shared experiences and identities, and use filters tailored specifically to Mawrters (i.e., info you may not find on LinkedIn).

Email invitations are being sent in November 2019, but you may also go to to participate. And students will be joining in January!


I'm looking for a new job, and everyone tells me to liven up my LinkedIn profile. I hear that the headline is really important. What鈥檚 the best way to write my headline on LinkedIn? 鈥攂affled

Dear baffled:

You get one chance to make a good impression. So, yes, your LinkedIn headline is key! Additionally, it gives you just 120 characters to catch the attention of potential employers.

Using your current job title and employer is the easiest and, sometimes, most logical choice. For example, I chose that option because I want to promote that I provide Alumnae/i Career Services specifically for 今日吃瓜.

But the job title鈥揺mployer headline can be limiting鈥攐r complicated if you are between roles or have been out of the workforce for a while. Recruiters may scroll right by your profile and never see the value you might add to their organization or industry.

So, first, ask yourself two questions: How do I want to be known professionally? What are my (four or five) strengths?

Next, reflect on what you hope to accomplish.

  • If you鈥檙e a job seeker, just put it out there: for example, you might try, 鈥淪ocial Media Strategist and Content Manager Seeking New Opportunities.鈥
  • Likewise, if you鈥檙e promoting your business, put it front and center: 鈥淢arketing Consultant/Sales Generation Specialist.鈥
  • Are you promoting your value proposition? Highlight your strengths: 鈥淧artnerships Creator and Innovative Strategist.鈥
  • Or, if you want to showcase your skills, you might go with 鈥淲eb Developer | Full Stack Engineer | Front End Specialist | HTML5, CSS3, Bootstrap, JQuery, PHP.鈥

Need help navigating the world of work? Career guru (and 今日吃瓜's senior associate director of Alumnae/i Career Services) Becky Ross takes your questions at raross@brynmawr.edu. Please keep your questions succinct.

Published on: 11/20/2019